Analysis: Beef farmers are finding new ways to grow quality grass and feed cattle while reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers
By Niall Kerins, Teagasc
Modern farming is changing fast and farmers are adopting innovative ways to improve the efficiency of nitrogen on their farms. Beef farmers are now finding creative, environmentally friendly ways to grow quality grass, feed their cattle and produce food while reducing reliance somewhat on chemical fertilisers. Their goal is to grow grass to feed their livestock and manage a demanding business while also protecting water and air quality. Here are some of the key ways they’re doing this.
Nutrient management
In the past, fertiliser might have been spread on a routine basis across all fields. Today, farmers are taking a far more measured, science-driven approach.
Every three to four years, some farmers analyse their farm's soil health by testing for pH, phosphorus and potassium levels. This indicates to farmers what nutrients are already in the soil and where the shortfalls are. With this information, farmers aim to apply fertiliser only where it’s needed during the grazing season so there’s less guess work involved.
From Teagasc, the role of clover on beef farms
An organic fertiliser like ground limestone is applied to land with a low pH. It in turn releases nitrogen in the soil for grass growth. The outcome is smarter use of resources, healthier soil and less risk of nutrients washing into rivers or groundwater. It’s farming guided by science rather than habit.
Clover
Clover is a small three-leaf plant with a small white or pink flower. To farmers, clover can be a natural resource of fertiliser. Clover has a unique ability to take nitrogen from the air and 'fix’ it into the soil through its root system, turning it into a form of nitrogen plants can use for growth.
Nitrogen is the key nutrient that helps grass grow. Traditionally, it can be supplied through chemical fertilisers, but clover does that job for free when it is part of the pasture. A healthy grass sward with a high clover content could make up to 100 to 150 kg nitrogen per hectare available for grass growth.
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From RTÉ News, how farmers are turning to clover as part of grass management
For the environment, that means fewer greenhouse gas emissions from fertiliser application. For the farmer, it means lower input costs. Research carried out by Teagasc found that animals fed on grass and clover paddocks tend to naturally grow quicker compared to a grass only diet.
LESS slurry is more
The liquid mix produced by cattle during the winter housing period is a valuable fertiliser for growing grass and contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients. Slurry was often spread in the past using a splash plate, which spread the slurry across the field. This method resulted in nitrogen escaping into the atmosphere as ammonia, reducing its fertilising value and contributing to greenhouses gases.
Nowadays, many beef farmers apply slurry through Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) technology. These modern systems, using trailing shoe or dribble bar applicators, places the slurry near the ground, where grass can absorb it more efficiently.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, RTÉ Agriculture Correspndent Aengus Cox on how new rules for farmers around slurry spreading mean fewer emissions, better efficiency and reduced smell
There are many benefits to this: lower odour, less nitrogen losses to the atmosphere and more nutrients for grass growth. Farmers are getting better value from their slurry and can reduce the need for purchasing chemical fertiliser.
Grass seed varieties
Grass varieties have come a long way in recent decades. New grass varieties can grow longer each grazing session and give better grass growth response from applied nutrients.
When a farmer reseeds a field, they replace poor growing grass varieties that also respond poorly to applied fertilisers. New grasses respond quicker to applied fertilisers and reduce the loss of nutrients to nearby water courses. New grass seed mixes are designed to fit soil type and farming system. Some varieties grow well with clover, creating a pasture that can supply its own nitrogen source.
Technologies backed by research and science can give farmers great confidence in implementing new ways of farming, while also protecting the environment
Growing protein at home
Red clover is making a comeback on many beef farms, mainly in fields designated for silage, the grass that's cut, fermented and stored as winter feed for cattle.
Red clover sown with grass in a silage mixture brings many advantages. It fixes nitrogen naturally, so the crop needs little or no chemical nitrogen fertiliser. It is also high in protein, meaning farmers can grow more of their own high‑quality feed and depend less on imported protein for animal feed.
A well‑managed red clover silage field can last for a few years and can reduce the farm's requirement for chemical nitrogen.
Farming for the future
Farmers are brilliant at adopting to new technologies that become available. Technologies backed by research and science can give farmers great confidence in implementing new ways of farming, while also protecting the environment.
It’s worth remembering that small improvements on farms is not always noticeable from a distance. This can result in farmers continuing to do what they do best, while we can all benefit from cleaner air and water, and a healthier countryside for everyone.
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Niall Kerins is a Cattle Specialist at Teagasc
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
