Planning for the first grazing rotation

There are a number key dates during the first rotation which if met will boost grass quality and quantity and hasten that magic day when grass supply meets demand.

1st- 7th February – Grazing begins and calving pattern should reflect this.
1st- 7th March – 30% of the grazing platform should be grazed.
17th- 24th March – 66% of the grazing platform should be grazed.
5th- 12th April – 100% of grazing platform grazed.

Remember that every 1% of the grazing platform grazed in February will result in an extra 14kg of grass DM/ha grown by the first week in April (Teagasc). Pasture Base Ireland data has recently shown that farms that reach the target of 100% grazed by the first week in April produce 20% more grass DM/ha in the first rotation in comparison to farms which finish their rotation a week later.

Pick the paddocks you intend to graze each week and stick to the plan.
This grazing plan must be done in conjunction with a feed budget, to allocate the correct area of grass for each grazing.
Reassess allocation every day, if post grazing heights are above 3.5 cm then you are allocating too much and if grass is running out then you need to supplement.

Check the daily grass growth rates in your area with the grass growth map