Definitely an option worth considering for livestock. Would the Dairy lads have concerns about milk taint?Very interesting article, reduced costs promising on output and health.
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/multi-species-findings-from-the-smartgrass-project/
Graze next suitable weather window, do not zero grazeI have a ryegrass field that was for grazing but didn't get too it.
All stock in now
There is a strong cover,3 or 4 bales per acre on it should I get someone to zero graze it or would it be ok to graze in late January or Feb?
Why do you say dont zero graze?Graze next suitable weather window, do not zero graze
zero grazing is serious hard on land even returning the nutrients, worse again if its the last grazing. I can still see an area in a field that was zero grazed late in the year about 4 yrs ago, and its not as if it hasnt had enough organic fertiliser sinceWhy do you say dont zero graze?
If I do it would be to have the field grown again in spring though it's gone late now I know, it would have been either grazed or zero grazed a while back if weather allowed
If your ground is dry it will be fine, I'm gone back zero grazing for a few lads this week I'll put up a few pictures later. Ryegrass leaves the ground very open as it's almost like stubble so clay sticking to the wheels is the biggest issue, I've not seen ground suffer long term damage from zero grazing yet, I'd cut it while the weather is as good as it is and have it cleared, putting cattle on it if the weather breaks will mean it'll be half grazed and then poached, I can't see how Ozzy reckons this is a way better alternative although sometimes I do wonder :rolleyes2: you'd also have some nice ground to spread slurry on early next year.Why do you say dont zero graze?
If I do it would be to have the field grown again in spring though it's gone late now I know, it would have been either grazed or zero grazed a while back if weather allowed
If your ground is dry it will be fine, I'm gone back zero grazing for a few lads this week I'll put up a few pictures later. Ryegrass leaves the ground very open as it's almost like stubble so clay sticking to the wheels is the biggest issue, I've not seen ground suffer long term damage from zero grazing yet, I'd cut it while the weather is as good as it is and have it cleared, putting cattle on it if the weather breaks will mean it'll be half grazed and then poached, I can't see how Ozzy reckons this is a way better alternative although sometimes I do wonder :rolleyes2: you'd also have some nice ground to spread slurry on early next year.
No one mentioned the wooly monsters yet...:Whistle2:
View attachment 72319 View attachment 72320 View attachment 72321 View attachment 72322 @Ozzy Scott & @Seedsower this is a field cut the first two weeks of October while heifer calves grazed at the other side of the white wire.
Root pull? You're not on about the thistles that are growing on the side that was grazed or the dead matter by the wire which would have been brought in when it was under water recently. Well you did say animals will always do less damage than a machine :scratchhead: Pictures above are today, no idea what fertiliser plan was as it's not my field.The amount of root pull is worrying, what has being your fert up to now.
Big difference zero grazing 7 weeks ago and doing it today.
Root pull? You're not on about the thistles that are growing on the side that was grazed or the dead matter by the wire which would have been brought in when it was under water recently. Well you did say animals will always do less damage than a machine :scratchhead: Pictures above are today, no idea what fertiliser plan was as it's not my field.
No it wasn't flooded, too wet as in couldn't travel it until now, I'll take a picture for you again in the Spring, it was the same this time last year, made no differenc. That ryegrass just comes through again, if there was that much soil visible in a normal grazing mix there'd be damage done.Looks like root pull to me, but considering it was flooded that as different matter. Hope where your zero grazing wasnt flooded, as I'm would be think mycotoxinn if that's the case.
I wont comment on the pictures of zero grazing as my thinking is ott on soil
What do you blame for root pull?The amount of root pull is worrying, what has being your fert up to now.
Big difference zero grazing 7 weeks ago and doing it today.
What do you blame for root pull?
Short roots will have access to little minerals but I would doubt Mn would be the main reasonWhat about manganese
That's hardship for man and beast. Can't be good for either and it's not doing the ground or farmers image any good.Not being smart.
I'm sure that all of ye have seen the posts on twitter from dairy farmers that are early grazers. One lad this morning has opened up extra gaps to get cows into fields. Other lads post videos of cows ploughing to their knees as they enter and leave the field.
Is it actually worth it to have such costs or do so much damage to ground to get cows out for a couple of hours of grass?