# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Grasstec Agricultural Services - Experts for your farming needs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grasstec offer a wide range of services & products to the agricultural & commercial sector in Ireland, the UK & mainland Europe

# data[].attributes.body
Expansion on dairy farms means that the need for better utilization of grass is needed now more than ever.

Average dairy farmer on Pasturebase growing 14.1t DM/ha (Pasturebase).

Teagasc have set a target to utilize 10 tonne DM/ha and to have 10 grazings per paddock per year by 2020 (Grass10)

Increasing the proportion of grazed grass in the diet by 10% will reduce the cost of milk production by 2.5c/litre

Each day spent at grass during the Spring equates to a feed saving of €2.70/cow/day (Teagasc).

# data[].attributes.body
Kells, Co. Meath

New entrant

3-way family partnership

370 cow herd

78 hectares

Stocking Rate = 2.8 LU/ha

Grazing platform in one block.

Longest walk for cows = 1.2km

# data[].attributes.body
Holstein-Friesian cows suits high intensity system.

Education: Youngest member of the partnership has Level 8 Ag Science degree.

Experience farming in USA & NZ.

Great land with excellent potential to grow and utilize grass.

Large area of grazing platform recently reseeded.

Soil testing carried out last year.

Currently utilizing a nutrient management plan

Good farm layout.

Motivated.

On farm staff accommodation

New farm infrastructure (parlour, housing, roadways etc.)

Discussion Group member.

Attends farm walks & open days.

Integrates new technologies (grasshopper, Pasturebase, Agrinet etc.)

# data[].attributes.body
High stocking rate putting strain on land.

Seasonal labour an issue.

3 way partnership = difference in opinions.

Juggle dairy with cereal and potato production.

Running out of space for calves.

Calving interval could be improved.

Space for winter housing.

TB in nearby farms.

In derogation.

Lots of slurry accumulated over winter.

Some wet land with heavy soils.

# data[].attributes.body
Join a grass focused DG

Land for sale nearby (expansion).

Avail of young farmer grants.

Room for construction in the farmyard.

Walk the land more often.

# data[].attributes.body
Brexit.

Milk price volatility.

Extreme weather events.

Policy issues (GHG).

Price of inputs like fertilizer concentrates.

Labour

CAP Reform

# data[].attributes.body
Continue with grass measuring with Grasshopper and PB

Implement SRP

Implement 60:40 Autumn planner

Spread lime.

Build up winter feed reserves.

End of year recap

# data[].attributes.body
Grass measuring.

Review data collection.

Use data collected to analysis:  covers, stocking rates, utilization, silage etc

Stitch in clover

Improve roadways and drainage

# data[].attributes.body
Continue measuring.

Continue previous 4 years work

Work on soil test results.

Adjust paddock size if necessary (expansion).

Field maintenance (fencing, access points, drinkers, rolling, topping, spraying etc.)

Multi species swards?

Zero Grazer?

More land

# data[].attributes.body
Continue weekly measuring.

Soil Test

Monitor soil testing progress.

Purchase land if it becomes available.

Monitor drainage.

Build up winter feed reserves.

Review poaching.

Bale surpluses

# data[].attributes.body
Utilise NMP

Make a start on land drainage.

Infrastructure plan.

Paddock level nutrient plan.

Buy Fert when cheap

Monitor silage growth

Test silage

Install more drinkers.

Continue with grass measurement.