Grass growth rates in Northern Ireland are expected to increase significantly over the next seven to 10 days.
The current GrassCheck figures are averaging 17kg of grass dry matter (DM) per hectare per day. But projections for next week bump this figure up to 27kg.
It all adds up to a very positive start to the 2025 grazing season.
GrassCheck is coordinated by AgriSearch. The organisation’s general manager Jason Rankin told Agriland why prospects for grass growth are looking good:
“Temperatures are expected to lift over the next seven days. And with rain expected over the weekend, the conditions to achieve enhanced grass growth rates should come into play.”
However, the current 17kg average figure does not reflect the east/west split in grass performance levels.
“Growth rates in parts of Tyrone and Fermanagh are down at around 9kg per day at the present time,” Rankin said.
However, this is only the second week of the 2025 GrassCheck season. And Rankin makes the point that it is not possible to extrapolate grass growth patterns for the rest of the season at this stage.
Nor is it feasible to compare 2024 figures with those only becoming available now for 2025, according to the AgriSearch representative.
“A key bonus right now is the tremendous quality of the grass being grazed. Dry matter, protein and metabolisable energy figures are all at very high levels.”
However, one key factor that can be confirmed is the vast improvement in current ground conditions relative to the same period in 2024.
Large numbers of young stock have been put into paddocks over recent weeks, leaving Rankin to surmise that grass availability could be an issue on some farms at the present time.
In general terms, on farm grass growth across Northern Ireland is currently in line with the long-term average. Forecasted growth rates over the next 14 days are also predicted to be in line with the long-term average.
Grassland farmers are being strongly advised to take advantage of current conditions and grass quality, particularly with lighter stock.
This will help conserve silage supplies and lower costs. And it’s very much a case of starting with smaller grazing groups and building up thereafter.
Grassland farmers should also use their post-grazing residuals to set up swards for good quality regrowth – aiming for 1700-1800kg of dry matter with dairy cows and 1500-1600kg with other cattle and sheep.
Follow-on paddocks should receive slurry and/or fertiliser according to each individual farm nutrient plan.
