Grassland innovation: Grazing monocultures to increase grass production and utilisation

Tim Crowley's 82ha dairy farm in Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland, expanded from 90 to 150 cows since 2015, with plans to reach 180 by 2019. The farm focuses on grass-based production, achieving 1,122 kg milk solids/ha in 2017 and targeting 1,350 kg/ha. Stocking rate is 2.52 cows/ha, aiming for 3.0. Investments in grazing infrastructure and reseeding are central to profitability, with each ton of extra grass yielding €180/ha. Perennial ryegrass dominates swards, offering 3 t DM/ha more than older pastures and 25% greater nitrogen efficiency. A mix of tetraploid (open sward) and diploid (dense, digestible) varieties is recommended, with sowing at 35 kg/ha. Prioritisation of high PPI and quality sub-index for grazing, and high silage sub-index with aligned heading dates for silage, ensures optimal performance. DAFM-recommended varieties are used, avoiding low-quality or poorly persistent types. Reseeding is a key cost-effective strategy for enhancing productivity and long-term profitability.