Implications of adapting autumn grazing management on spring herbage production––The effect on late lactation milk production and the subsequent response in early lactation animal performance

•Late lactation milk and milk solids yield is not affected by closing date in autumn.•Milk protein concentration decreases as silage replaces grazed grass in the diet.•16 kg DM/ha increase in pre-grazing herbage mass for each extra one day closed.•Each 1 kg increase in herbage allowance results in +0.38 kg milk/cow in spring.