Feeding cows well, maintaining herd welfare and making the most of available grass are all closely linked on a dairy farm. When cows are fed a consistent, high-quality forage, performance improves, stress is reduced and efficiency across the system follows.
Zero Grazing supports this approach by allowing farmers to cut fresh grass daily and feed it directly to the herd. This gives greater control over grass quality and utilisation, while supporting a consistent feeding routine and improved cow comfort.
Through our partnership with Grass Technology, Platts Agriculture has Zero Grazers available to hire for the 2026 grazing season.
Manufactured in Borris, Co. Carlow, Ireland, Grass Technology Zero Grazers are engineered to deliver efficiency from field to feed barrier, helping farmers turn grass into milk as effectively as possible.
Turning Grass into Performance
Grass remains the cheapest feed on the farm, but only when it is utilised properly. Zero Grazing allows grass to be harvested at the right stage and fed fresh, helping maintain consistent intakes and reducing variation at the feed face.
Farmers using Zero Grazing systems report the potential to achieve 20+ litres from grass alone, alongside higher protein and butterfat levels. This consistency supports steadier milk yields and improved performance throughout the grazing season.
Making Better Use of Available Land
One of the practical advantages of Zero Grazing is improved land utilisation. By cutting and carrying grass, farmers can make productive use of ground that may otherwise be underutilised due to distance, layout or access.
Zero Grazing helps farmers:
- Access grass from remote or fragmented blocks
- Reduce headland waste and selective grazing
- Harvest more grass from the same acreage
In practice, this can result in up to 40% more grass harvested, supporting stronger regrowth and better-performing swards after every cut.
Cost Benefits of Zero Grazing
Feed remains one of the largest and most variable costs on a dairy farm. Zero Grazing helps improve cost control by making better use of high-quality grass and reducing reliance on bought-in feed. Farmers using Zero Grazing systems report concentrate usage reduced by up to 25%, while maintaining milk output.
Improved grass utilisation can also extend the effective grazing period, lowering silage demand and reducing pressure on winter feed stocks. Reduced use of TMR mixers helps limit wear, servicing and running costs, contributing further to overall system efficiency.
To help put these potential savings into context, farmers can use the Zero Grazer calculator to estimate how improved grass utilisation and reduced concentrate usage could impact costs on their own farm.
Supporting Herd Welfare Through Consistency
Zero Grazing brings grass to the cows rather than cows to the grass, helping maintain a steady, predictable feeding routine throughout the day. Reduced walking distances and a consistent feed face support calmer cows, improved foot health and better overall comfort, particularly during periods when ground conditions or weather make grazing more challenging.
A regular supply of fresh grass also helps stabilise intakes, supporting fertility, body condition and more consistent milk performance across the herd. When cows know what to expect at the feed face, stress is reduced and day-to-day management becomes more straightforward.
Clean, consistent harvesting supports better regrowth and stronger sward performance over time, helping farms get more usable grass from the same land area while maintaining long-term grass quality.
Built for Everyday Farm Conditions
Grass Technology Zero Grazers are designed to perform reliably in demanding farm conditions. Built on robust drum mower systems with a minimum of four high-quality blades per drum, they deliver a clean and consistent cut. Commercial axles provide durability and mobility, while premium standard features such as bronze brushed floor rollers and P-line PTO shafts support smooth operation.
Machines are also equipped with LED lighting systems and high-visibility safety strips, allowing safe use during early mornings, evenings or low-light conditions. A range of sizes is available to suit different herd sizes and farm layouts.
Hiring a Zero Grazer from Platts Agriculture
Hiring a Zero Grazer offers a practical way to improve grass utilisation, support herd welfare and manage feed costs, without the commitment of machinery ownership. If you’d like to find out more about Zero Grazers or enquire about hire, please click here to register your interest and a member of the Platts team will be in touch.
