Erw Fawr update - August 2020
Figure 1. 2020 total grass growth at Erw Fawr up to August.
Total grass growth at Erw Fawr so far this year has averaged at 8.8 tonnes of dry matter (DM) per hectare. There has been a huge variation in the amount different paddocks yield in grass growth. Some of the best performing paddocks have produced almost 15 tonnes whilst others only 7.5 tonnes of DM. The work carried from detailed grass measurements and recordings will give an invaluable insight into individual field performance, allowing for effective remedial action on underperforming fields.
Text blog – The impact of improved grass utilisation at Erw Fawr
One of the main aims of the project at Erw Fawr has been to increase utilisation of grazed grass. Many top grazing operators are achieving over 90% utilisation whilst some set stocked units would only achieve50% regardless of the amount of grass grown. Using predicted annual grass growth, increasing utilisation from 60% to 85% at Erw Fawr would equate to cows eating annually an additional £10,125 worth of dry matter (DM) from grazed grass rather than supplemented by costlier concentrate and silage.
The cost ratio of concentrate, silage and grazed grass usually follows a 3:2:1 ratio in terms of £/tDM
Herd 1 has based the cows ration on grazed grass and topped up in the parlour with concentrate.
Herd 2 has based the cows ration on high quality silage and topped up with concentrate.
Herd 3 has based the ration on concentrate and silage with some grazing in the summer months.
Using the low yielders at Erw Fawr as an example, the ration has been based on a situation similar to Herd 1 where grazed grass makes up the main portion of the ration at 17kgDM/cow/day with concentrate fed at 5kgDM/cow/day. This not only keeps the cost of feeding based on a £kgDM/cow low it also promotes better grazing behaviour from the cow and better grass regrowth. The example shown in Herd 3 where the Total Mixed Ration (TMR) has a larger proportion of concentrate and silage compared to grazed grass, won’t facilitate good grazing behaviour, effective utilisation or grass regrowth.