Figures from the AgriSearch GrassCheck programme show that farms located in Co Fermanagh recorded the highest grass yields in 2019.

The average yield on participating farms in Fermanagh came in at 13.7t dry matter per hectare (DM/ha), followed by Co Tyrone at 13.1t DM/ha. Farms in Co Antrim produced the lowest average yield at 11.3t DM/ha.

Across all 48 participating farms, those involved in dairy averaged 12.8t DM/ha, compared to beef and sheep farms which yielded 11.2t DM/ha. The average across all farms came to 12.2t DM/ha in 2019, up from 10.9t DM/ha in 2018.

However, the 2019 average yield fell short of the 10-year average for NI, which stands at 12.5t DM/ha.

Driving the increase in grass yields last year were above-average growth rates in spring and summer, which accounted for 32% and 55% of annual yield.

However, grass growth tailed off in the autumn significantly, contributing just 13% of the total grass grown during 2019.

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