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Improve farm profitability.
To build on the start that has been made in terms of grassland management. Consistently measuring for the 5 years to build up a bank of data that can be used as an important decision making tool in terms of reseeding, drainage ect.
By year 5 the aim is to have a reduced concentrate requirement.
Aim to increase Milk sales through improved grass quality, particularly in summer grass.
When technical efficiency is improved the plan may be reviewed to explore feasibility of contract rearing of animals and or zero grazing to increase the output/ha on the home block.
This would be accompanied by additional winter housing and slurry storage facilities for cows.

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Seamus is a young farmer (29)
Helped hugely by father Noel.
The farm would have always been progressive with adaption of new technologies and scientific information along with steady capital investment.
Seamus is educated with green cert in Kildalton College.
Memeber of dairy discussion group.
No obstruction to change and succession from Noel.
Milk price is steady at the moment and the outlook looks promising despite constant threat of volatility.
Grazing Infrastructure is relatively good in terms of paddocks, roadways and water.
Soil fertility has been worked on for a number of years and is moving in the right direction.
A large percentage of the farm has been reseeded in the last 10 years.
Regularly attends farm walks, open days and discussion group meetings.
The farm is already mapped.
Carries out almost all of own tractor work which can help for reducing compaction and allows for higher quality silage to be made.
As part of GLAS scheme have already fenced the main watercourses from bovines and have invested in LESS equipment, this is an advantage with new Nitrates derogation measure being implemented.

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The farm is split into 2 main blocks of land. the main grazing block is located approx 1.5 - 2.5km walk along the road from the block of land with the farm yard.
The soil type is heavy and despite drainage carried out extended grazing is very difficult as soil becomes saturated quickly and drains slowly.
Some of the farm is higher ground which can be difficult to travel with machinery and needs consideration in its grazing management.
Inclusion of clover leaving the sward open and susceptible to poaching.
Trafficability of ground for slurry and fertiliser spreading throughout year along with silage harvesting.
Grazing of silage ground before first cut usually not possible, reduction in silage quality.
Seamus is recently married and currently building a house, with the prospect of family life in the not too distant future. This places a challenge on time and work/life balance.
His commitment to grass measuring consistently could be questionable, possibly as he is unaware of the true value and potential it brings.
His knowledge level in terms of interpreting information produced by pasturebase along with below par computer skills are a big challenge.
He does some contracting work which can take up a lot of time in summer months where regular walking of farm is needed.

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"You cannot manage something you do not measure!" (Teagasc)
Possibility of land currently being leased in Boherlahen (dry land) becoming available for long term lease.
There is computer courses available which can help Seamus improve his skills.
There is a special grass discussion group which he could join.
To increase the output and profitability of the farm through growing and utilizing more grass and decreasing concentrate requirement.
Further develop and possibly alter grazing infrastructure.
Improve flexibility of management with more use of on/off grazing and spur roadways in the shoulders of the year. Zero grazing could become an option for this too.
Speculation of land becoming available beside the farm yard. Nothing certain, but creates an opportunity to develop current farm to be in a strong financial position if the land came on the market.
Generate accurate data, across 5 years, on grass growth ability of the farm and match the stocking rate to it.
To show and educate seamus on the benefits of improving grassland management, leading to increased adoption.
The neighbour is one of the farms involved in the teagasc heavy soils project so a lot can be learned from this farm.

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Attitude, personality, interest.
Seamus feeling like he does not have time to complete grass walks.
If he forgets to measure or cant get around to it for a while he could feel there is no point.
"You have to have perfect land and perfect paddocks to do that grass measuring"
Becoming overwhelmed by the 5 year plan and looking too far ahead.
Brexit market threats of tariffs
Milk price volatility and cash flow.
Farm is currently in derogation and would aim to stay in it to maximise output/ha. There is uncertainty into the future about how far the derogation will allow and how it is calculated.
New proposals for derogation farms to fence 1.5m from a watercourse could have a major impact on this farm where there is a large number of open drains. This could have a significant reduction in the grazing area available.
The rented block at home is on a yearly basis for over 20 years, there is no definite future with this land.
TB has caused a major clear out in the herd and area in 2016. Continues to be a major threat.
Extreme seasonal variation - Early Winter housing and/or late turnout in Spring.
Noel is not getting any younger so labour on farm could become an issue.

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Soil conditions seen as the biggest barrier to grassland management in both Spring and Autumn. Along with this is grass availability, grazing infrastructure and calving pattern.
Some of the key findings from Garvey et al. 2018 was that time, computer skills and jargon/understanding was an issue in adoption of technology.
Teagasc estimates increasing grass utilised by 1 tonne Dm/ha/year would be worth €173/ha to dairy farmers.

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Complete a minimum of 30 grass walks.
Put in place Spring and Autumn planner.
Look at paddock design and options for change if needed.
Join Grass focused discussion group.
Complete a computer training course.
Complete a Teagasc or IFJ grassland management course.
Begin a change in attitude trough new information on the benefits.
Become more flexible and try some on/off grazing and spur roadways.
Use soil test results and fertilizer plan from Grassland Agro.
Continue good attendance at events such as farm walks.
Build a reserve of cash for investment going forward.

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Maintain and build on progress from year 1.
Plan reseeding for poorest performing paddocks from first year.
Make investment in equipment such as temporary fencing and possible roadway development.
Begin to reduce concentrate usage particularly in the 2nd half of lactation by utilizing more grass.

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Aim to have >50% of the farm reseeded in the 5 years.
The grassland management should be peaking and the farm in good financial position.
At this stage should know more about availability of land next-door.
Silage harvesting should be assessed as to whether further investment in for e.g. a fusion baler should be made or whether the work should be contracted out.
Soil fertility must be constantly monitored and soil test should be carried out every 2/3 years.
Further studies will have been carried out on mixed species swards and its inclusion could become a big option, this will be assessed.
Be consistently achieving over 40 measurements per year.
Be comfortable with using all of the tools and terms on pasturebase.

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Look at options for further drainage and aeration of compacted soil on the farm, allowing for extended grazing and increased grass growth.
See if zero grazing is an option to further extend grazing season, especially if Boherlahen is still available.
Stocking rate and grass growing should be almost optimized so options for alternative paddock design should be looked at and the farm remapped accordingly.
Where spur roadways are being consistently utilized may be an option the make them permanent with stone and fencing.
If

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Use data from the first 2 years to more accurately match the SR the grass growth, and further decrease the concentrate usage.
Start targeting min 40 measurements in the year.
Invest in equipment such as grasshopper etc. to make measuring easier and further commit to long term measuring.
Continue to reseed between 10%-15% of the farm if required.
Look towards using all the tools available of pasturebase such as feed budget etc.

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Heavy Soils Programme - Teagasc Moorepark'15