DEVELOP A ‘GROWTH MINDSET’!

• Over the years, I have had a lot of contact with farmers: progressive farmers, young farmers, and farmers with a ‘fixed mindset’.
  • In the interest of avoiding time wasting and frustrating farmers who wished and needed to progress, we tended to let the farmer with the ‘fixed mindset’ have his own way and, inevitably, he got left behind in most cases.
• Several events and situations in the recent past have brought it to my attention that the ‘fixed mindset’ is still alive and well among young farmers, mainly due to:
  • Parental indoctrination;
  • Parental control;
  • Lack of a positive peer group; and
  • Social media.
• This is why I want to talk about fostering a ‘growth mindset’. This is the belief that intelligence and abilities are not fixed and can be developed through effort, learning and persistence.
• Farmers have a responsibility to their children and young staff to be aware of this outcome.
  • It is about viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
    • Many farmers see the present environmental requirements as huge challenges but, with research, we are now seeing a way to overcome most of them.
  • It is about embracing feedback as a tool for improvement.
    • Based on farm data, advisers and discussion groups are there to give feedback – it is not a negative view of your farm business.
• The key characteristics of someone with a growth mindset include:
  • Willingness to embrace challenge:
    • The major challenges now are environmental, high cost of inputs, lack of staff, debt, as well as personal traits resulting in lack of income security.
    • We know these won’t be overcome without a positive mindset and using all the back-up help available.
  • Persisting in the face of set back or perceived failure:
    • Every day in farming brings setbacks and accumulating these in the mind can be perceived as failure in the farmer’s mind.
  • Learning from feedback:
    • Many farmers are reluctant to exposing themselves to feedback on their management, but this is a common feature in all facets of employment.
    • Positive feedback, based on farm facts and research, is essential to survive and develop for future challenges.
  • Learning new skills and practices – and enjoying it:
    • Changes in technology and innovation are so rapid that we must be open to constantly furthering our education and technical skills, otherwise we will be left behind.
  • Being resilient:
    • Failure is not falling down, it is refusing to get up.
    • We will face challenges throughout our entire lives. We must overcome them – we can overcome them.
  • Focussing on the process not the outcome.
    • This is so important. Keep managing the business and doing tasks correctly and in good time – the profit will follow.
• What are the benefits of a growth mindset?
  • Improved performance;
  • Enhanced resilience;
  • Greater motivation; and
  • Lifelong learning attitude.
• I won’t list out the negatives of a ‘fixed mindset’ – if the cap fits wear it!

CONVINCE YOURSELF: GRASS IS CHEAPEST:

• Brendan Horan, Teagasc Moorepark, estimates that grazed grass costs approximately €120 per tonne dry matter (DM) grown (including a land cost).
• To show that it is cheapest source of animal feed, he compared the various grass/forage options in relative costs to grazed grass per energy utilised (UFL):
  • Grazed grass = 1.0
  • Grazed grass + white clover = 0.6
  • Pit silage = 3.3
  • Baled silage = 3.7
  • Red clover pit silage = 2.7
  • Red clover x 3 cuts = 3.1
  • Maize silage = 3.2
  • Fodder beet = 2.8
  • Purchased rolled barley (fresh at €350/t) = 4.7
• A few clear messages arise:
  • Grazed grass and white clover swards must be the main focus for dairy farmers.
  • The cheapest winter feed is red clover pit silage, pit silage next with baled silage being the most expensive.

LAST CHANCE TO SET UP QUALITY GRASS!

• In mid-May, ryegrass changes to its reproductive phase, meaning more stem develops and quality will disimprove fast. Therefore, paddocks – particularly ones that were poorly grazed in last few rotations – must be grazed out to 4cm to have quality for the remainder of the year.
  • Poorly grazed out paddocks on this rotation, for whatever reason, should be ‘earmarked’ for cutting in the next rotation.
  • The pre-grazing cover (PGC) should be 1,300kg-1,600kg DM/ha, depending on stocking rate.
  • Average farm cover (AFC) should be 160kg-180kg DM/ha per cow.
  • Match demand with the grass growth expected (look back on historical growth rates for May on PastureBase for your farm). If growth rate is 70kg DM/ha/day (set that target) and stocking rate is four cows/ha, then cows will be getting 17.5kg DM grass (70/4) + 1kg meal ensures a total intake of 18.5kg DM/day.
  • Rotation length should be 18-21 days, therefore, a 30ha grazing block with a 20-day rotation will result in 120 cows grazing 1.5ha/day.

Table 1: Grassland plan to maximise grazed grass in diet and adequate winter feed on farm.

• Once you have done your grassland plan (Table 1) as per above, three factors drive grazing management: pre-grazing cover (PGC), average farm cover (AFC), and post-grazing height (PGH).
  • PGC is measured and available using the grass wedge in the PastureBase.
  • PGH should be 3.5cm to 4cm.
• For a farm stocked at 4.5 cows/ha on the milking platform, with a grass cow demand of 16kg DM (+2 kg meal being fed), on a 20-day rotation and grazing down to 50cm residual, the target PGC will be:

Stocking rate x allowance x rotation length + residual

= 4.5 x 16 x 20 + 50 = 1,490kg DM/ha.

• The target PGC increases as the stocking rate increases (and declines as it falls).
• You must also watch your AFCs. The target figure is 160-180kg DM/cow. For example, at a stocking rate of 4.5 cows/ha, the target AFC, with good grazing management, would be:

Stocking rate x 170 = 4.5 x 170 = 765kg DM/ha.

• By watching both your PGC and AFC, you will be able to identify impending surpluses or deficits before they arise. You must react to a surplus by removing the surplus for baled silage – and remember the quicker you react, the lower the cost of reaction!
• If PGC and AFC are higher than targets, then you must:
  1. Remove one or two paddocks, immediately, for round baled silage, or
  2. Bring extra stock into the cow area to graze out paddocks, or
  3. Reduce meal levels.
• If both PGC and AFC are lower than target you are likely to:
  1. Run out of grass in the near future, or
  2. Have to feed more meals /quality bales, or
  3. Graze some of silage ground if not too strong. This may have to be pre-cut to get good utilisation or strip graze small allowances per day.
• If PGC is higher than target and AFC is also lower than target, then you should:
  1. Continue grazing the high covers (consider topping if stem remains), or
  2. Pre-cut to maximise utilisation.
• If PGC is lower than your target and the AFC is higher than your target and if growth rates are good then unless a lot lower, you should be safe enough.
• The key is to measure at least once/week but twice /week if you have to make adjustments.
• Use a plate metre/discussion group to train your eye to the post grazing heights advised. Managing PGH is a key grassland management skill, because:
  • Leaving high PGHs is a waste of grass. Every one cm above 4cm is equal to 250kg DM/ha – this would feed 14 cows for one day! If that’s your system and you under-graze to 5cm on seven rotations, then you are wasting 1.75t DM grass/ha. That is worth €600+ in meal saving.
  • High PGH leads to more stem in subsequent grazing rotations – hence, quality decreases. That grass left behind will not be available for grazing next time as the plant has a maximum of three new leaves – it will rot, leaving a sour butt.
  • Poor tillering results.
  • Good graze outs result in no topping – now a badge of honour as you save on labour and diesel.
• Remember: a grass plant has three-leaves and during the key grass-growing season a new leaf develops every six to seven days.
  • When there is ‘great growth’ a new leaf comes up every six days; hence, rotation lengths should decrease to 17-18 days.
  • To hit the target PGSs for cows stocked at 4.5 cows/ha (planned above) you will have to be on 20-21-day rotation – if less, you will be grazing covers where the third leaf isn’t fully grown/extended.
• Fertiliser in May for grazing now depends on the clover content in the sward (learn how to score clover content) in April

  Clover content	N kg/ha (units/ac) - two rotations
  Zero	32 (19)
  5%	20 (12)
  10+ %	15 (9)

• By mid-May the farm must have received 55% of its total bag N allowance.

MAXIMISE SILAGE STOCKS OFF YOUR OWN FARM

• There are several options available in order to ensure you will have enough winter feed:
  • Rent silage land now – do your sums as prices are outlandish.
  • Buy reasonable quality baled silage.
  • Do a contract with a tillage farmer for maize.
  • Insert, on your winter feed budget, the inclusion of cheap meal to supplement silage.
  • Carry over no surplus/unwanted stock.
  • Reduce overall farm stocking rate – this is not the year to be over-stocked on the milking platform (MP), target is 2.6cows/ha to 2.8cows/ha, or on the overall farm, target being 2.2cows/ha to 2.6cows/ha.
  • Consider forage crops, such as kale or rape.
  • Maximise pit silage being made on your own farm. I will concentrate on this because it is where you have most control.
• How do you maximise pit silage stocks off your own farm. It is driven by your grassland plan as per Table 1, and the area you allow cows, calves and heifers for grazing, which must be a high stocking rate:
  • Measuring grass is a big distraction without making this grassland plan first, as it will result in you making too much expensive, baled silage, and not making enough winter feed.
  • At most plan to make two bales/cow of very high-quality dry silage.
• By dividing the number of cows you have by the suggested stocking rates (Table 1) for each period you know the total grazing area required for all stock. Subtract this from your total farm size and you will know how many hectares of first and second cut silages you can close off on your own farm.
  • There is a lot of grass on the grazing areas at present, providing you with a great opportunity to close off a large area for pit silage. Therefore, you must stock cows at 4.5+ cows per ha on the milking platform (MP) – every 100 cows need 20-22ha for grazing during late April-May.
• A big first cut:
  • Saves expenses on winter feed costs.
  • Results in the need for less second cut – this is so important on dry farms, subject to summer drought.
• Pit silage is a lot less expensive than baled silage.
  • Cut some high-quality silage two weeks earlier than main crop so as to have some better quality pit silage and have a staggered availability of aftergrass.
• Fertiliser for second cut:
  • Apply 25kg N, 4kg P and 25kg K per tonne DM/ha.
  • Expected yield of 3t DM/ha (6t/acre of fresh grass).
  • Therefore, apply 75kg, 12kg and 75kg N, P and K respectively per ha.
  • This equals three bags 15:3:20 +S per acre, or 2,000 gallons of slurry as well as 1.2 bags of protected urea +S.
  • Apply extra P and K to build up soil fertility after cutting the silage,

STILL TIME TO SOW CLOVER? YES!

• It is an absolute MUST that at least 50% of the MP must have good clover in the future.
  • Driven by lower nitrogen allowances.
  • Animal performance, both milk and weight gain, will be greatly increased.
• Identify paddocks suitable for clover, based on last year’s yield on PastureBase.
• There are two methods of sowing clover: oversowing or direct reseeding, but it must be done early in May.
• The following are essential for good results with oversowing:
  • Paddocks must have no weeds, good fertility, be reseeded with ryegrass within the last five years and have open swards.
  • Use 2.5kg/acre of medium sized white clover.
  • Ideally, complete on the second rotation.
  • Reduce fertiliser N to 9 units/acre for two months.
  • Graze at 1,000kg DM, PGCs.
• The following are essential for good results with direct reseeding:
  • Paddocks with below average yield, poor grasses and weed infested.
  • Take advice on best grass varieties, include 2kg leaf white clover and 1kg red clover.
  • Get three to four bags 10:10:20/acre, order lime to bring pH to 6.5, best to get a contractor to do it.
  • Get clover-safe spray for use six weeks post sowing.
  • Graze when cover is 900-1,000 kg DM.
• Red clover should be sown on outside silage ground, using varieties from recommended list.

HOW IS BREEDING GOING?

• Breeding and fertility management were discussed in detail last month. Read notes again.
• That which is measured will be managed!
• Therefore, we now need to check that everything is going to plan. Basically, that is, that you are submitting the expected numbers of cows for AI each week to meet the 90% three-week target, and that repeats are along expected lines also. See Tables 2 and 3. At the very least, make these checks at the end of each week but better do it daily.

Table 2: Herd check on submission rates.

• If you haven’t or are not meeting those targets, you need to act fast or you will pay the consequences in delayed calving next year.
  • If less than 4-5 cows/day per 100 cows are being AI’d, then something is wrong.
  • Talk to your vet or adviser for solutions.
• Are conception rates or non-return rates (NRR) along expected lines?
  • You should be hitting NRR of 60%+; that means not more than 12 cows per 100 cow herd should be repeating per week.
  • The daily check is better, less than two per day, as you are more on top of trends.
  • Again, talk to your vet or adviser if a problem exists. The causes of poor NRRs, as discussed by Stephen Butler, Teagasc Moorepark, were outlined in the March hints.

Table 3: Herd check on conception rates/non-return rates (NRR).

• Body condition score (BCS) all cows now (mid-May and again in mid-June). Any cow that is 2.75 or under should be put on once-a-day (OAD) milking for a short period. If cows are still losing weight, even if in good condition, they must be put on OAD milking.
• Scan cows:

This will confirm pregnancies.

• It will help to identify cows you thought were pregnant and are not.
• It will also identify poor pregnancies – these are unlikely to be identified at the next due heat day.
• With this information you will be able, with the help of your vet and scanner, to put these cows in calf in three to five days.
• Sounds like a big job – it is not!
  • Batch AI cows into week one, two and three.
  • Easily done with collars but if you use tail paint, raddle mark AI’d cows across the shoulder, each week with a different colour.
  • Then week one will be scanned on day 35 after MSD; week two will be scanned on day 42 after MSD; and week three will be scanned day 49 after MSD.
  • Many farmers are now doing these scans to very good effect.

• Vasectomised bulls are invaluable, as they work 24/7.
  • Use a correct fitting chin ball with the correct paint which must be topped up after every 10-15 heats.
  • Remember, it is only the paint marks on top of the back that count – young bulls, during courtship, will mark cows on the side; this is not a heat.
  • Don’t use him until two or less cows are repeating per day.
• Stock bull management – if you must use a stock bull, introduce and monitor them with care.
  • Lame bulls will malfunction.
  • Young bulls need more feed and time off as they use up more energy.
  • Of course, he should have been vaccinated and fertility tested.
  • For the first seven to 10 days, post AI, after introducing the bull, continue to AI all repeats so as to avoid a ‘lull’ in calving during that transition period next year – the bull has to ‘settle in’.
  • For a 120-cow herd and three weeks’ AI you require two mature bulls. For the same number of cows and six weeks’ AI you need one mature bull or two young bulls.
  • In order to monitor him, use a chin ball or continue tail painting the cows.

Bits and pieces

• Silage reminders:
  • If possible, split the first-cut dates so that some aftergrass comes in 20-27 June.
  • Wilt silage, if possible, to ensure good preservation.
  • Post first cut, apply 50 units N/acre for grazing. Use slurry if available (1,000 gallons equals one bag 5:5:30); spread immediately after cut, delaying N application for one week.
  • Light calves should be kept on milk replacer until they are 110kg for weaning and fed 1-2kg meal (18%P) until they catch up.
• Calves that are 110+ kg now should be off meals.
  • Monitor calves and heifers that are with a contract rearer. R1s should be 110-120kg now while R2s should be 330-360kg now depending on breed.
  • In the agreement with contract rearer you should get animal weights every two to three months so as not to have problems on collection if too light.
  • Because contract rearing and, for that matter, rearing replacements is very expensive, you should only rear 20-22% replacement units.
• Stocking rate band 3 is greater than 6,313 litres per cow in 2025. You may have taken this option.
  • If your average milk yield/cow in May is greater than 28.7 litres, then you will fall into band 3 for stocking rate calculation. Take steps to manage.

Quote of the month

“We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”
Oprah Winfrey