Brian Reidy: When you're early grazing, don’t forget about the cow

First-round grass is typically lower in energy and protein, and farmers are reporting that even if they go to grass for a few hours, their herd continues to eat the same amount of feed as when they were full-time. 

First-round grass is typically lower in energy and protein, and farmers are reporting that even if they go to grass for a few hours, their herd continues to eat the same amount of feed as when they were full-time. 

Many dairy farmers have their milkers out by day for a few hours when conditions allow - it's worth doing to get some paddocks grazed so you encourage the next growth. 

Hopefully, the weather will allow this to be the norm going forward this spring. None of us want anything like the spring we had in 2024.