Forage Challenges Arise With Changing Seasons

As both hemispheres progress through a transition period between seasons, farm managers are being posed with difficult forage and grazing questions.

Early assessment of hay stands is therefore advisable, according to Jim Poulson, Dairy Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota.

Pasture with over 50 growing stems per square foot should yield full potential but fewer than 40 stems per square foot is indicative of low yields.

If in doubt over nitrogen costs then Mr Poulson suggests splitting applications over three visits to reduce loss through run off and leaching.

He also proposes nursing grass seedlings with early maturing varieties of barley, triticale or oats to increase yield. Mid-West based research shows possible yields of two to three tons per acre.

This could be good news as grass will continue to be limited for many dairymen across America. Mr Poulson’s rule is that temperatures of 41° F are required for Alfalfa to break dormancy.

Contrastingly, heat in New Zealand and Australia has not been a problem. Farmers struggling against drought conditions have been grateful of adverse event declarations and emergency forage shipping.

But as the cold weather looms ever closer New Zealand farmers are looking to renovate damaged pastures with nitrogen applications to green up land before the cold season sets in.

North Island advisers are also urging farmers to embrace opportunities to buy emergency forage to ensure stocks last after the most severe drought many can remember.

The ‘NZ$2 billion dollar drought’ will leave a lasting impact on the following season with government drought declarations not being lifted before the end of September, farmers are being told.

Around 220,000 bales of South Island hay has been put aside for north islanders. Due to recent rains demand has slowed but David Clark of Federated Farmers has warned that farmers should look at buying in forage as it will not be available in the coming months.

While demand for south island feed is petering out, Irish farmers have been offered a much needed life line during what the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has called ‘the worst forage crisis in living memory’.

By drawing on a range of resources, including the Irish Farmers Journal, the IFA has amassed a fodder crisis fund of €1million.

Transport subsidies of up to €750 are available for UK sourced fodder from Irish marts and merchants. For trips under 250 kilometres, transport subsidies of €500 per load will be provided.