This week’s grass growth newsletter is the final of the season and is the first week to have brought some rain! Most farms in the South West would have received some much-welcomed rain this week, with more forecast in the coming 7 days. Unsurprisingly, this rain has not influenced growth rates yet, with the AHDB reporting that crops are currently progressing at 37kg DM/ha/day. Due to silage cuts having taken place, we have used some pre-cut samples from our clients this week.

This week’s weather has been the same again for farmers in the South West – although daytime temperatures have been higher, there is still the risk of overnight frost. One of the recurring themes amongst our clients is that they have taken the approach of cutting silage leys when ready, rather than waiting for the entirety of their first cut to be harvested at the same time – a very sensible move considering that we are due at least another two weeks of dry weather. Although

Over the last few weeks, we have seen a start to the maize drilling campaign around the South West. However, recent data from the Maize Growers Association (MGA) suggests that current conditions might not be the best thing for the crop or your yields. When is the right time to drill? The aim is to drill maize once soil temperatures have been at 8-10oC and rising for at least 7 days. The data from the MGA indicates that none of their focus areas in the South West are currently

Another week of cold wind and morning frost has kept grass growth lower than usually seen at this time of year. Growth rates have climbed from the previous week with the AHDB reporting South West grass leys to be growing at 32.3kg DM/ha and to have an average of 12.5ME. The farm we have been sampling from in Cornwall has taken their first cut this week. This is due to grass being at the correct growth stage (3 leaves present) to fit in with their multi-cut system. Yields also

The deadline of 30th April 2021 for submitting Countryside Stewardship Capital Grant Applications is fast approaching. As a reminder, these applications can only be made for land parcels that are not currently within a Mid Tier, Higher Tier, or ELS/HLS scheme. They have a £60,000 cap but only £20,000 can be spent in each of the three sections (Boundary, Air and Water quality). Important Change to Fencing Eligibility Since the window for submitting these applications was opene

Since taking our first samples, we seem to have had all four seasons within a week! Most of our farms have had bright but windy days, this sun has helped grass sugar levels which have risen between 1 and 4% from the previous week. However, the cold wind seems to have kept growth rates low. The AHDB reported an average growth rate at 20.5Kg DM/ha for the South West – up just 0.5kg from the previous week. These low growth rates, combined with no significant change in weather (

This week we took our first fresh grass samples of the year. Despite the recent warm weather, crops are still looking to be 10-14 days behind this stage last year. The AHDB estimates the average growth rates for the South West to be 20 kg DM/ha/day, a 4kg/day increase from the previous week – slow progress! These early samples look to have good levels of protein and energy but low sugars. Nitrate levels in these samples are quite varied, which is typical for this time of year