Nutrient value second cut very variable

The second cut is at the dairy farms that participate in the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour for the most part in the hump. This cut has seen everything it needed and the quality is good too. We have listed the analyzes of the fresh grass samples from various corners of the Netherlands. 

The dairy farmers who took the gamble to take the first cut during the few good days around Ascension Day (13 May) were able to mow a second cut again. The rain showers after Ascension, which benefited the utilization of the manure, the sun and the higher temperatures of the past few weeks, ensured that there was a lot of grass during the mowing of the second cut. 

' Mowed a beautiful cut of grass yesterday. I think it was a few years ago that the grass grew so fast in 4 weeks'', says Frank Rooker, dairy farmer in Aartswoud (NH). The participants were therefore more than satisfied with the yield and quality of the second cut. Joost van Nostrum from Sint-Oedenrode (North Brabant) was also very pleased with the grass grown so far. The second cut is silaged on top of the first at Van Nostrum and is still a completely different crop. ''In retrospect, shaking the second cut might have been a bit redundant'', says Van Nostrum. 

According to Jan Roothaert, product manager livestock farming at Limagrain, the variation in sugar and protein is mainly due to the variation in fertilization. This is clearly reflected in the fresh grass sample from Waterink from Overijssel, which managed to achieve a protein content of no less than 225. ''Furthermore, the general picture of the second cut is excellent and excellent quality has been driven home'', Roothaert adds. 

Erik van der Deure

e.vanderdeure@boerenbusiness. Nl

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