Only 41% of Irish dairy farms recording on PastureBase Ireland are on target for mid-October, with 38% of farms stuck at an average farm cover of just 731kg DM/ha, according to the latest national figures.

The national average farm cover (AFC) currently sits at 941kg DM/ha, PastureBase Ireland data shows. The target range for this point in the season is 900-1,100kg DM/ha, which leaves a substantial share of the recording base carrying either too little grass or, in 21% of cases, a significant surplus.

Grass growth is averaging 49kg dry matter (DM)/ha, with dry matter at just above 12%. The comparison with last year is instructive. This week in 2024, growth sat at 42kg DM/ha, but dry matter ran at roughly 14%.

Why growth is slowing

Met Éireann recorded up to and beyond twice the average rainfall in the west and north-west of Ireland over the past week. Daylight hours have also declined. Yet soil temperatures remain 2-4°C above normal, at 11.8-14.4°C, and grass is still growing well on that residual warmth.

The result is a misleading picture in the paddock. A month of strong growth has left many farmers looking at what feels like a mountain of grass. In reality, growth is slowing rapidly. Whatever grass remains in the rotation is all that stands in front of the herd, and overgrazing is now the principal risk.

What the numbers mean for feeding

The average diet being recorded on PastureBase farms is 14.5kg of grass, 4kg of meal and 0.5kg of silage per day. Farmers are entering paddocks with a pre-grazing cover of 2,229kg DM/ha.

The recommended actions split by farm type:

• Farms carrying too much grass should graze off heavier paddocks now, while ground conditions allow, to maximise grass in the diet.
• Farms under target should hold demand below growth rates and lift meal intake in the parlour where possible.

Both groups should watch milk solids closely and adjust rations carefully. Late-season grass carries very little nutritional content.

Why the closing cover matters

Finishing the season off target carries a cost into spring, because spring grass is the most valuable forage the herd will access all year. A farm that closes underfed enters the winter with less residual root reserve and a slower first rotation.

The recommended toolset is familiar but bears repeating. Strip wires allow the farm to be grazed out efficiently while hitting the 4cm residual. On/off grazing and strip fencing protect paddocks as soils wetten.

With rainfall already at double the norm in western counties and growth trending down week on week, the window for cleaning out heavy covers is narrowing. Farmers should watch ground conditions and soil temperatures over the coming fortnight, because once soils fall below the growth threshold, the closing cover is set.

By Olivia Hart