Herd Management: Autumn is here and maize is close to harvest

Contractor Mark Troy, Knockroe, Bandon & Neilus Lehane, Inishannon, are pictured harvesting P8200 maize in Smugglers Cove, Rosscarbery for Geoff Wycherley, Barryroe, Co Cork. The crop sown under plastic on April 23 yielded 20 tonnes of green matter per acre. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

Most dairy and beef producers, particularly in the south and east of the country are a little concerned about forage supplies for the coming winter. 

For the vast majority of herds, they will have sufficient supplies, but understandably with the memories of 2018 and the spring of 2013 still reasonably fresh in the memory, it is a well worthwhile exercise to do the sums and make sure. The ploughing is back in action this week after an unwanted three-year break and always corresponds with the beginning of the maize harvest.