# data[].attributes.body
2018 was a year of extremes, shows the need for better Infrastructure particularly in spring.

With increasing costs of inputs and reducing margins, grass has huge potential to offset these pressures.

Huge under utilization of pasture land especially on Irish beef farms

# data[].attributes.body
Open to change, willing to hand over control

Young enthusiastic successor

Dry land for local area

Very good potential to grow grass

Family all educated

# data[].attributes.body
Time

Physical Ability, aging farmer

Small farm

Beside town, expansion limited

Disease outbreaks, particularly TB, 7 year breakdown with TB

Fragmentation, 3 underpasses needed just for the grazing platform

Some land up to 250m above sea level

Not in a discussion group, no good groups in the area.

# data[].attributes.body
Expand grazing platform to 24 Ha

Second Unit on 22 Ha out-farm

Aging farmer population in local area

Join good discussion group

Grass Measuring

Attend open days

Oncoming labour in May

More reseeding

Soil fertility improvements

# data[].attributes.body
Brexit

Urban populations, 30 unit council estate under construction on adjoining land.

Derogation, will be looking at entering derogation in the coming years

Weather, extremely wet more so than drought

Markets, price of both finished products and inputs

# data[].attributes.body
60 cow dairy herd, 40:20 Autumn:Spring calving split

Calf to beef at 24 months enterprise on out-farms

Heifers reared on out-farms

16 Ha grazing platform

54 Ha farm overall, mix of soil types

# data[].attributes.body
Donaguile, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny

# data[].attributes.body
The objective of the 5 year plan for this farm is to maximise stocking rate, improve farm infrastructure, develop a NMP, Increase reseeding and to measure grass weekly

# data[].attributes.body
Measure grass weekly and use information to make decisions

Soil test at least 50% of farm

Improve water system, piped water to furthest fields

Increase days at grass

# data[].attributes.body
Continue to measure grass

Design NMP based on soil test results

Soil test remainder of farm

Resurface roadways

Get farm mapped and paddocks redesigned

Get weeds under control

Develop plan for 2nd unit

# data[].attributes.body
Reseed based on grass growth figures, target 20% reseeding

Implement new paddock layout

Include clover in reseeding of clean paddocks.

Start development of 2nd unit

Source more land lease or buy, may happen before year 3 but will need by then

# data[].attributes.body
Continue to improve paddock infrastructure particularly access, water
and sward quality

Optimize stocking rates across the farm

Continue reviewing performance, look for potential improvements

Track animal performance, weigh all young-stock including beef animals

Alternative forages to maximize production on multi-cut silage ground, possibility of 4.5 years in Hybrid ryegrass/RC followed by forage crop before reseeding

# data[].attributes.body
Start up of 2nd unit, 100% autumn calving (if contracts available) grass focused