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For this project,  I will discuss my farm in Caherlistrane, north Galway. The farm is a 30 ha suckler beef farm consisting of 32 suckler cows and 2 stock bulls.

Weanlings are kept over the winter  and sold the following spring at 10-12 months old.

Currently, the main type of grazing system on the farm is rotational grazing, though sometimes strip grazing is used on heavier paddocks so as to reduce wastage.

The land is heavy for the most part, with the majority of soil being clayey in texture, with some sandy and peaty soil along the Black River which borders Mayo.

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A lot of the farm infrastructure is of quality standard with two cattle sheds and a sheep shed converted into calving pens and straw shed.

Majority of the grazing platform is located behind the farmhouse and is connected by sand roads. Every field has a fresh water source.

Some of the soil is sandy in texture allowing cows and calves out earlier in the spring - weather permitting - reducing feed costs and improving animal health.

A lot of bales remain from last year, along with some from summer 2018 as when there was drought in the rest of the country we had an excellent year out West!

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Grazing season is often cut short due to bad weather and poaching.

Black River rises in winter and first round of grass in the land along the river is often of poor quality in spring.

Some of the land is not connected by sand road to the sheds. However, although very close to the sheds and on a very quiet road, moving cattle on the road can be dangerous.

My father works so is often not on the farm. The calving season therefore can be a difficult time, made slightly easier with a calving camera in each shed.

Two fields do not have water troughs as the cattle drink from the river instead. This brings about concerns over health and safety of the animals.

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A lot of land hasn't been reseeded in years, meaning there is likely vast improvement to be gained from reseeding.

Joining Pasturebase Ireland and regularly measuring grass to create grazing plans to last throughout the year and achieve maximum utilisation of grass.

Opportunity to increase stocking rate towards the goal of 2 LU/ha.

Opportunity to get back into sheep production, with the sheep shed still in place on the farm, though it is currently modified for cattle and storage. Sheep wire also remains on some of the land not behind the farm.

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There are a few NVZ's on the land in particular along the Black river restricting fertiliser application.

The river is used as a water source in 2 fields.

Increasing SR will likely require an increase in N application. This will increase costs and may be problematic for environmental reasons also.

Better grassland management practices are likely to increase the workload on the farm.

Tillage would not work well so very vulnerable to feed prices as only grow our own grass and silage.

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Begin grass measuring and submitting data to Pasturebase Ireland to create a grazing plan to be used from 2021.

Soil test the whole farm and apply lime or fertiliser where necessary, also set out a reseeding plan for the coming few years.

Put down water pipes where necessary to have fresh water in water troughs in each field.

Fence off all along open water sources.

Reseed the first of the fields in the reseeding plan.

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Increase grass utilisation on the farm by following PBI grazing plan and fertilising paddocks as required.

Continue with the reseeding plan as set out in year 1.

Join BTAP.

Join a beef and grass Discussion Group to share ideas with other farmers and advisers.

Reseed another 8-10% of the land in year 2, which should be achievable with extra grass growth expected on farm.

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Review the farm and see if measuring grass and reseeding has proved to be of considerable benefit.

If reseeding has been beneficial, which it should be, continue reseeding land where feasible.

Look at other options, dairy calf to beef, suckler herd expansion or contract rearing.

Target annual grass growth of 10t DM/ha and fertilise paddocks to produce this.

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Soil test half of the farm to keep track of progress and ensure reseeding is working well, as well as revealing whether or not lime is required.

Continue grass measuring.

Reseed another 5% of the land, stocking rate should gradually be increased each year with better grassland management and more productive swards allowing for expansion of the herd.

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Continue measuring grass weekly to identify surpluses and deficits.

Reseed another 5% of the farm which should be achievable by increasing stocking rate with the added grass grown on the farm.

Decrease the size of larger fields with temporary fencing to increase grass utilisation and make the grazing rotation planner easier to follow. Ensure there is a water source in each field. Edit the changes into PBI.

Drainage system in 2nd field from the river in Block A.