Growing monoculture swards to increase grass DM production and grazing utilisation

Description

  • Growing monoculture swards to increase grass DM production on farm, with the added value of increasing grass quality and grazing utilisation
  • Focusing on higher production and/or lower costs
  • Increasing grass production on the farm
  • Good grazing utilisation being achieved on paddocks
  • Increasing spring grass supply
  • Specialist milk production
  • Average stocking rate (agriculture area) (LU/ha) 2.9

Reason for the innovation

Focusing on maximising output per hectare while minimising costs through grass utilisation

  • Higher grass production being achieved on the farm

Farm description

Environment

  • Soil type: Clayey-loam
  • Climate type: Temperate Oceanic
  • Agricultural area: 80ha
  • Altitude: Variation across the farm
  • Slope: Variation across the farm
  • Permanent grassland area (ha): 80
  • Average stocking rate (agriculture area) (LU/ha UAA): 2.9
  • Average stocking rate (grassland area) (LU/ha): 2.9

Grassland management

  • Grazing: Yes
  • Grazing management type: Rotational grazing

Structure

  • Breed type 1: Fr
  • Breed type 2: Fr*Je
  • Milk production per head (l/year/dairy animal): 5500
  • Grassland exclusively grazed area (% total grassland area): All
  • Grassland management type: Rotational
  • Length of grazing period (month/year): 9.5
  • Fertilization rate (kg N/ha): 230
  • Annual Work Unit: 2.25

Why it is working

  • Increasing grass production of on the farm
  • Higher grass production
  • Good grazing utilisation on paddock
  • Economic results
  • Require measurement to establish that the innovation is working
  • Increasing spring grass supply
  • Pasturebase Ireland

Additional information

Farming system

conventional farming

Domains of innovation

forage mixture, grazing management system

Main types of animal

dairy cattle

Country

Ireland

Product type

Farmer portrait

Language

English

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