Maximising milk output from grass sustainably is the objective of Derry dairy farmer Alistair Craig who runs a 260 cow pedigree Holstein herd on the banks of the Foyle.<\/p>\n
Around 300ac of sandy loam soils, much of which was reclaimed from Lough Foyle near the coast, along with 200ac of clay ground, help produce a yield average of 10,000 litres\/cow\/year with 3.4 protein and 4.2 butter fat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key to profitability is to produce as much milk from forage as possible and to cut down on bought in supplements,\u201d says Mr Craig. \u201cManaging the grass ley and producing high quality silage is obviously key, which is why we spend a lot of time researching the most cost effective inputs and application systems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe used to operate a four cut system that produced a consistent quality silage crop of 10-12% protein and 10-11 ME. We have since increased the number of cuts to six and raised protein levels up to 16-18% and ME to 12.\u201d<\/p>\n
Secret to the consistency of grass quality for Mr Craig has been liquid nitrogen fertiliser that comes from OMEX Agriculture as Nitroflo<\/a> S 26N +5SO3<\/sub>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe problem with granular fertiliser is that it stays on the ground until it rains or there\u2019s enough moisture about for the pellets to start breaking down,\u201d he adds. \u201cThis makes the opportunity to cut less frequently and this means there isn\u2019t as much control over the cutting period.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing the cutting period is critical to maximising forage quality. We want to know a week before cutting. We apply 35-40 units Nitroflo S straight after the previous cut and we know that 30 days later we will be cutting again.\u201d<\/p>\n The timing accuracy afforded with liquids just is not available with granular fertiliser applications says Mr Craig, so it is not possible to forward plan.<\/p>\n Mr Craig says that each silage cut averages 90ac, but he also grows 50ac of wholecrop and 25ac of lucerne, which he takes three cuts off too.<\/p>\n \u201cWhole crop provides roughage and starch for our dry cows,\u201d he says. \u201cLucerne provides a good protein source that doesn\u2019t need extra nitrogen applied. If we weren\u2019t growing wholecrop and lucerne we wouldn\u2019t be able to take six cuts of grass. The silage would be too soft and would just go straight through the cows.\u201d<\/p>\n First and second cuts are 140ac each, third cut is 110ac and fourth is 100ac. Fifth and sixth cut is taken from 60ac and 30ac respectively.<\/p>\n In 2019, he had an issue with drought four weeks after first cut on May 18th<\/sup>. Second cut only produced 90t of grass with an ME 9 and protein 8.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always used to do second cut at the end of June, but because of drought the granular fertiliser was never taken up,\u201d he explains. \u201cThis spurred us on to switch to liquids<\/a>. We already had a trailed\u00a0 24m sprayer, so we could utilise it to apply liquid fertiliser. The spreader we were using needed an upgrade, but a replacement was going to cost \u00a320,000. We kept the old one for a year just in case and then sold it.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Craig strongly believes going liquid has had a massive impact on his grass quality<\/a>. Liquid fertiliser is common on arable farms for wheat in particular, but it is yet to catch on for grass.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think that\u2019s all about to change,\u201d he says. \u201cOur grass looks so much better and even across the field, especially on the headlands, and the quality has definitely improved.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Craig says he has used 100 ton less meal\/grain after eight months of feeding silage made from a liquid fertiliser system. He buys in sugar beet pulp, soya and maize for the energy and protein. Straw and grain comes from the farm.<\/p>\n\u201cNutrients applied in liquid form are made available much faster than a granular equivalent,\u201d he explains. \u201cIncreasing the number of cuts means the crop is shorter but leafier and this means the silage quality is much better. This has been the biggest difference since switching to liquid fertiliser.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\u201cA liquid fertiliser<\/a> system means it is much easier to plan ahead the cutting schedule. To better utilise grass over six cuts needs exact planning and perfect timing. Liquid fertiliser systems allow the grass to recover faster, grow quicker and it doesn\u2019t matter if it rains or is sunny. Uptake of nutrients is immediate.\u201d<\/strong><\/h5>\n