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Derek Deane is a progressive beef farmer from  Tombeagh, Hackestown, Co.Carlow

Former IFA Deputy President

Confesses to confusion and lack of time for not grass measuring

120 Limousin x Friesian herd

Finishes 100 young bulls and 50 heifers annually

Previously exported bull beef to Italy

58 ha farm in permanent pasture

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Year 1

Join BTAP

Start grass measuring

Buy plate meter/grass hopper

Start using Agrinet/Pasturebase

Year 2

Use grassland management software to identify poor performing paddocks

Soil test and analyse results

Year 3

Start reseeding poor performing paddocks - including white clover to reduce N requirement

Start rectifying soil fertility

Year 4

Continue reseeding poorest performing paddocks (10% of land area)

Continue improving soil fertility

Imporove autumn grassland management and build covers for next spring

Year 5

Earlier turnout of stock to increase grass % in the diet and reduce concentrate costs

Soil test and analyse results

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Show the current grassland management on the farm

Create a 5 year plan to increase grass production and utilisation on the farm

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Rotational grazing (back fencing when necessary)

Turn out date: Late February

No grass mesuring in place (eyeball method)

No pre or post mesurements taken

Own silage making equipment

Silage tests every year

Reseeded 15 ha in the past 5 years (very little before this)

Member of GLAS and BDGP and is in derogation

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Research indicates that the current levels of grass production and utilisation on beef farms can be increased significantly (Teagasc, 2017)

Achieving this will require changes in farm practices associated with both grassland management including; soil fertility, sward composition, grassland measurement and grazing infrastructure.

Teagasc estimates that if grass utilised were to be increased by one tonne DM/ha/year, the benefit to drystock farmers would be €105/ha