Thomas Lyons 
Grass measuring plays a crucial role in Irish farming, particularly in dairy farming, as it ensures that cows are consuming the best feed possible. Despite the recent challenging weather, many farms have either entered or are about to enter their second rotation. As this rotation begins, it is time for farmers to resume the practice of measuring their grass once a week.
The grass situation on farms can change rapidly during the summer months, so it is essential to continually measure it. The significance of grass to Irish dairy and livestock farmers, in general, cannot be overstated. There are two primary methods used for measuring grass on farms. However, farmers who are more experienced in measuring can often eyeball their grass cover. The first method is using a plate meter. With a plate meter, a farmer makes several drops in a paddock, usually in an ‘X’ or ‘W’ pattern. The farmer then takes the post-grazing height or residual from the average grass height in the paddock. This figure should then be multiplied by 250kg of dry matter (DM), as there is 250kg of DM in 1cm. The second option available to farmers is the ‘cut and weigh’ method. For this, a farmer needs a quadrant, shears, a plastic bag, and a scale. The quadrant should be placed in an area that is representative of the paddock. The grass is then cut to a maximum of 4cm using the shears. The grass is then collected, weighed, and a simple calculation is used to determine the paddock’s cover.
It is important to monitor the grass situation on farms as the growth rates of grass are expected to increase over the coming weeks. To achieve the best production levels from cows, it is essential to maintain grass quality, which can only be achieved when grass is being monitored. Grass measuring has several other benefits, including maximizing pasture growth rates, extending the grazing season, maintaining and improving pasture growth rates, increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the diet, and reducing costs. As we move into April, it is a good idea for farmers to get back into the habit of walking the farm once a week. During the peak growth months, this may need to be increased to twice a week, but the critical thing is to get back out there and get an understanding of what is happening on your farm.
In conclusion, grass measuring is a vital practice for Irish farmers, especially those in the dairy sector. Measuring grass once a week is essential to maintain the quality of grass and achieve the best production levels from cows. There are two main methods used for measuring grass on farms, the plate meter and the ‘cut and weigh’ method. Grass measuring has several benefits, including maximizing pasture growth rates, extending the grazing season, maintaining and improving pasture growth rates, increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the diet, and reducing costs. As we move into April, it is crucial for farmers to get back into the habit of walking the farm once a week, to monitor the grass situation, and ensure that their cows are consuming the best feed possible.
