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In 2016, Irish agri-food and drink exports increased by an estimated 2% to approximately €11.15 bn (Bord Bia, 2017)

The UK was the main destination for Irish agri-food and drink exports in 2016 accounting for 37% (Bord Bia, 2017)

"Analysis of the potential implications of Brexit for the farming and food sectors was stark, and for the beef sector it was frightening”. Irish Farmers’ Association president Joe Healy speaking to the Irish Times, May 2017

The utilization of grass by grazing should provide the basis of sustainable livestock systems as grazed grass is the cheapest source of nutrients for ruminants. (O'Donovan et all., 2011)

System on current case study farm:

Suckler to sale
Dairy to beef

25 spring calving cows
10 autumn calving cows
70 dairy to beef calves
70 dairy to beef stores

Cattle 0-1      100
Cattle 1-2       75
Catlle 2 +       35

One stock bull

50 ha farm, divided into 3 distinct divisions. including a 20 ha out block of land over 20 kilometers away from the yard .

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Cow type has been bred over a 20 year period, attempting to bred confirmation and good milk into the herd.

Educated farmer (green cert)

Competent Computer skills

Good potential to grow high quality grass and utilize it with high stocking rates

Soil tests annually

Partial reseeding program in place

There is a very good drainage program on the farm which is extended and maintained most years

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This farmer is in full time employment - time is the largest issue on farm

Not a member of Teagasc/ discussion group

No grass measuring takes place

fragmented farm

very heavy soils dominate 40% of the farm

Limited Water troughs reduce ability to divide larger fields into paddocks

Fencing on the farm needs updating

cashflow is an issue as most sales occur only twice per year

Early urea/ fertilizer application can be extremely difficult to achieve due to ground conditions

health- the farm has had cases of viral pneumonia, rota virus. also currently a TB hot spot, could have enormous implications on cash flow

Due to full time employment, most large, time consuming jobs are carried out at the weekends

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Volatile beef price has huge effect on income

Wet weather effects grazing pattern of the farm

Labour - A shortage during the week when farmer is working.

Price of inputs are volatile (concentrates/fertilizers/diesel )

TB outbreak would massively effect the farms day to day running as stock would be unable to be sold

CAP reform- reduction in basic payment could effect farm profits

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Opportunity to join teagasc and get into a discussion group

Increase farm infrastructure (fencing/water access/roadways/handling facilities)

Attend regular farm walks

Attend grass discussion groups

continue to drain some of the very wet and easily effected paddocks

Get the farm professionally mapped by grasstech and divide into even paddocks

Begin grass measuring and using Pasture Base Ireland (PBI)

Reduce concentrate bill for weanlings to be sold in the mart and also for the finishing stock, by increasing the proportion of utilized grass in the diet

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Soil test

Farm mapping

New infrastructure plan (roadways/water trough positioning)

install new water drinker system
Trial of temporary paddock system

Create nutrient management plan

Begin Reseeding lease productive paddocks

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Objectives of this Grassland Management Plan

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Objectives of this Grassland Management Plan

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The objective for this beef farm over the next 5 years is to maximize grass growth, reducing dependence on concentrate feed during the winter period, and for the selling of weanling calves in the Autumn.

Increase the amount of grass utilized on the farm.

Increases in farm infrastructure will allow an easier movement of cattle ie. roadways and paddock fencing.

Drive profit maximization

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Purchase grass measuring equipment, and begin to use it weekly

Calve spring calving cows from 1st January - 1st march, allowing early turnout to be achieved

Use Pasture Base Ireland

correct possible soil ph issues

Continue with farm drainage

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Soil test to monitor ph

Continue measuring grass covers

Using PBI data observe low productivity in paddocks and mark for reseeding priority

Drain most problematic fields

Maintain the open drains

start weighing cattle to observe production from grass

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Tweak farm plan to maximize ease of movement of cattle and machinery

If stocking rate is increased, a need for improved housing may be necessary

have farm streamlined to a one man show. by use of infrastructure and technologies.

Continue reseeding program, choosing varieties suitable to the specific paddocks and high demand system

Continue with grass measuring and data collection

continue with drainage program on the farm where needed

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Castletown Geoghegan co. Westmeath

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FARM MAPPING AND GRAZING INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN

Accurate and user-friendly maps are provided which will aid the day to day farm management and become an essential communication tool. Most maps in use date from the 19th century and don't reflect the current layout of the farm.

Maps are generated using the latest in GPS technology. All area measurements provided are adjusted to reflect the actual areas farmed. Maps can be provided in a number of formats including; large wall maps, A4 size maps, pocket maps, map pads/whiteboards and digital formats like pdf's.

Additional design of new grazing infrastructure can be provided, designing the most efficient paddock, roadway and water infrastructure for your farm, with our Paddock & Roadway Design Service

Our service eliminates the guesswork of establishing a new layout. The service can be utilised where herd sizes are increasing and current paddock sizes no longer are adequate.

It can be used to plan the infrastructural changes required to convert beef/tillage farm to dairy. We can assist in designing the most efficient way of integrating additional neighbouring land into the main grazing platform.

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Grasstec GPS Farm Mapping Service in Ireland & the UK

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FARM MAPPING AND GRAZING INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN Accurate and user-friendly maps are provided which will aid the day to day farm management and become an essential communication tool. Most maps in use date from the 19th century and don't reflect the current layout of the farm. Maps are generated using the latest in GPS technology.

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Use data gathered over the previous yeas to observe information on the farm
eg. stocking rate
tonnes grass grown/ha

roadways can be installed now as optimal padocks will be observed by now

Increase stocking rate to match maximum growth potential

test silage, aim for dry cow quality and high quality suckler cow quality

Grass and silage quality over the past 3 years can be analysed and improved on for the coming season