Lots of variation in grass growth, when should you mow?

March was dry and warm, followed by April with a wet start. Temperatures also dropped below freezing in some places. This has had various consequences for grass growth, with great variation. For example, in some places the grass grew in large steps of up to 87 kilograms of dry matter per hectare per day, but in other places the grass growth did not exceed 41 KGDS per hectare per day. 

The table below shows the measurements taken by the dairy farmers who participate in the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour. To determine how many kilograms of dry matter there is, the following formula is used: (number of centimeters-stubble height) x 164. The stubble height is seven centimeters. So for a total length of 18 centimetres, this means: (18-7) x 164 = 1.804 kilos of dry matter per hectare.

Measuring is knowing
The table shows how the differences in grass growth have varied. For example, growth at Vijverberg was explosive after the first rain with 87 KGDS per hectare per day, but the grass at Schoenmakers in Udenhout also grew rapidly with 82 KGDS per hectare per day. In Aartswoud this was lower with a growth of 41 KGDS per hectare per day. In Guttecoven near Kusters, grass growth at 77 KGDS per hectare per day was normal for the time of year. Just like with Assies and Welhuis, which have around 70 KGDS per hectare per day of grass growth. At Joost van Nostrum, the grass started to grow slowly at the beginning of April with almost 50 KGDS per hectare per day. The table also shows that certain dry matter yields at Kusters and Rooker are already quite high and may already be approaching a mowing moment.

The grass growth and the dry matter determination in the table are different among the farmers. Of course this all has to do with environmental conditions that differ per region, but also what the fertilization strategy was like or in what condition the grassland survived the winter. Ultimately, each plot has its own story and you find out by measuring.

Reuben van der Maas

Intern at the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour

r.vandermaas@boerenbusiness. Nl

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