In order not to get in trouble with your roughage supply this winter, it is advisable to take action now. For example, the last cut of autumn grass has become of great importance. Is overseeding or reseeding required? The availability and quality of silage maize also requires attention.
The rain that has fallen since the end of August has caused most of the grassland to turn green again. For silage corn However, this precipitation comes too late. The damage is irreversible. However, a green plot of grassland does not always guarantee the right quality of roughage.
Critical on grass
"Dairy farmers are counting on a good cut of grass to supplement their missed yields this summer," says Mijke Horneman, Roughage product manager at Agrifirm. "During the dry period, the weeds often survived; dock sorrel in particular is doing well. A green image does not always mean good grasses. You can see this during an inspection. We advise livestock farmers to take a critical look at the grassland together with their advisor. and to carry out appropriate control. This requires specific advice this year."
The fact that grass is getting color again does not mean that this is positive, as Limagrain also notes. "Perennial ryegrass, the most important grass species in the Netherlands, has suffered considerably. In open areas, roughgrass, cultivated grass and annual meadow grass are taking over," said writes It. If the turf contains 60% to 80% good grasses, then overseeding is a solution. If that percentage is lower, then reseeding will be necessary. This also applies when more than 20% of cultivated grass is present.
Grass may be renewed on sandy and loess soil until September 20. On clay and peat soil this is until September 30. However, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) does state that conditions. The extension of the spreading season for liquid manure is positive in that respect. "Agriculturally speaking, it would not have been beneficial to inject liquid manure at the end of August," Horneman says. "In addition, the cellars become empty, which is essential for sufficient storage next winter."
Buffer on your company
"After the first cut this spring, many dairy farmers wondered what to do with all that grass. After all, there was still a lot of stock from the 2017 harvest," says the product manager. "That stock turned out to be no unnecessary luxury. Our advisors therefore focus on preventing storage losses in both grass and corn."
Horneman continues: "In recent years, the roughage supply has not been an issue and the harvest has been plentiful. You keep a year like 2018 in the back of your mind. It is not predominant in 2019, but drought sensitivity is being considered. What we have learned is that Creating a buffer on your farm is not a bad thing. It provides peace of mind. That is why we now pay a lot of attention to the roughage supply and how it can be maintained."
(Text continues below the tweet)
When harvesting silage maize, advisors and farmers have fewer resources in their arsenal. Chopping is already in full swing in many places. Good silage management is the best thing you can do. "We look at what is advisable for each company," Horneman explains. "For example, it may be advisable to purchase corn, or to feed the dry cows and young cattle with alternatives. The best quality roughage is then reserved for the dairy cattle. With simple calculation tools we can calculate whether the stock is sufficient until May/ June."
Craftsmanship
"What is striking this year are the enormous differences. Even within 1 plot, the maize can vary. When assessing quality, you should not only look at the edge, but also in the field." The product manager acknowledges that the dire situation is now over, although she emphasizes that it is still dry in many places in the east and south. "Drought no longer predominates, but questions continue to arise. Those who anticipate now and improve their craftsmanship will soon have better quality and more quantity. That will give you peace of mind in the coming months."