Agscope Ltd

So with soil temperatures hitting 8 degrees this week across the North West , its say we have lift off with years grass season.

If you have some fields under preforming , take a look and assess what your perennial rye grass content is by looking for the red bottomed grass (see the photo below) , the aim with a productive sward is to have a population of over 50% PRG

Spring block calving is about to begin, so its time to work out grass covers ready for grazing over the the next month

Aim for a pre graze cover of 2200-2300 kg/cover , at this cover grass quality is high which is ideal for new calved animals , much higher than this on over covers the quality will be lower and hence have a impact on the diet.

Graze the paddocks on off at first (3-4 hours/day ) , aim to get around all the paddocks as fast as you can – Why because grazing grass simulates grass growth after the winter period.

With this years grass growth being back 5% on last years total grown, it will be important to keep a eye on silage stocks.

If you are going to struggle to make it to turn out – now is the time to act

First picture Soil Structure from the Control Area of the field (so not under a herbal ley, this soil is compacted and cracking horizontally in slaps ),

The second Picture is of Soil in the same field which has been planted with Herbal Ley (this is soil which is much better in terms of Structure and soil life status )