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I live on a suckler farm at the bottom of the hill of Allen. The farm is owned by my mother and father and they have four children. Our herd consists of limousin, simmental and hereford crosses. We have 15 cows and 5 heifers to calf this spring. We also have 9 weanlings heifers and
1 weanling bullock. Some of these heifers will be kept as replacements for older cows. The rest will be sold.
The bull calves born are sold in October/ November every year. We farm 40 acres of land that is split into 9 paddocks.

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Farm is mostly dry ground with one bog field.

Private advisor.

Soil testing carried out every 5 years.

Paddock grazing system in place - water available in all paddocks.

Animals let out to grass once calved.

Neighbours are also farmers- help available all year round if needed.

Hay and silage made on farm every year.

Young farmer has received agricultural education and is willing to help and offer new ideas.

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Husband has off farm job.

Three children in college and one child in secondary school.

Farm help limited during the week.

No official grassland management structure in place.

Price of beef and future of beef production.

Health of animals.

Not part of Teagasc.

Securing biodiversity while fully utilising land available

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Weather - indoors for a longer period of time

Labour

Price of inputs

Policy/ government

Climate change

Brexit

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Join local beef / grass discussion group

Attend farm walks

Start grass measuring

Courses - Grass10

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1. Soil test

2. Improve paddock grazing structure

3. Weed control

4. Improving biodiversity (hedgerow management)

5. Map farm.

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1. Match calving season with start of grass growth

2. Grass measure

3. Review paddock structure

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1. Continue grass measuring

2. Reseed old permanent pasture - 20%.

3. Weed control

4. Continue to map.

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1. 2 years worth of grass measuring data available for analysis.

2. Review stocking rate, calving times and amount of silage/ hay used

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1. Continue to soil test

2. Try to extend grazing season in early spring and late autumn.

3. Continued weed control

4. Monitor silage use

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The objective of a grassland management plan for this suckler farm is to utilize the land available and educate farmers of the need and the benefits of grass measuring.

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Very little knowledge on grassland management.

Not part of a discussion group