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The average farm utilizes 7.1 t of grass DM/ha (Creighton e al., 2011).

More efficient farms are utilizing in excess of 12-14 t of grass DM/ha over a 280 day grazing season (shallow et al., 2011).

Grass is the most cost effective feed available to all ruminant livestock production systems (Finneran et al., 2010)

CASE STUDY FARM:
Beef Farm
Suckler to weaning

20 spring calving cows
15 autumn calving cows
1 stock bull
70 acres in block A
30 acres in block B

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Good grass growth potential.

Annual soil and silage testing.

10% of farm reseeded annually.

Good infrastructure (roadways + fencing).

Children identified as successors.

Member of discussion group + attends open/demonstration days.

Potential for improved layout, paddocks.

Animals weighed at 5 months old and again at 8 months.

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Heavy soils.

Some parts of land poorly drained.

Works full time with other family business.

Cash flow an issue for investment.

Weeds and invasive species.

Current low beef price.

Copper deficiency on the farm.

Worm and fluke problem on the farm.

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Adopt grass measuring.

Investment in grass measuring technology and other farm technologies.

Join a grass based discussion group.

Join pasture base.

Increase SR.

Change of enterprise (dairy).

Partnership with Son.

Change breeding policy to suit soil type (Lighter Breeding Cows).

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Weather conditions - wet land

Peaty land, needs constant drainage

Block B difficult to access

Price of inputs e.g fertiliser and meal.

Current beef markets/prices.

Brexit and Brazilian beef.

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Year 4:
Join grass based discussion group and invite other farmers to farm to find any improvements.

Share records and results with discussion groups.

Increase grass utilisation and grass in the diet on the farm.

Improve silage quality.

Try extend grazing season (Weather permitting).

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Year 3:
Weekly grass measuring and cover.

Incorporate data into reseeding management and fertilizer plan.

Soil testing.

Adopt calving sensors and Plate Meter (To Reduce workload and Time).

Invest in improved weighing scale and increase animal weighing every month.

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Year 2:
Increase grass measuring frequency.

Improves grassland management practices.

Install sufficient water points in every paddock.

Ensure farm and paddock infrastructure is fully up to scratch.

Spray entire farm for weeds.

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Year 1:
Take up grass measuring .

Research and learn about grass measuring.

Sign up to PatureBase.

Begin entering data and farm information into PBI.

Increase no. of paddocks on the farm.

Map out farm.

Infrastructure and paddock setup.

Increase frequency of calf weighing to every 2 months.

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The objective on this suckler beef farm is to begin grass measuring and follow an effective grassland management plan. Be able to fully to understand  the data being collected and use this information to maximize grass growth potential.
Use this data to also increase SR and expand the farm.
Identify appropriate grazing targets (PGSH, Pre Grazing Mass, days ahead).

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Year 5:
Full time grass measuring on the farm and full use of PastureBase.

Study collected data to analyse:

Stocking rate.

Silage quantity and quality.

Expansion.

Establish full reseeding and soil testing plan.

Studying the data collected, possibilities to take out paddocks for other winter forage e.g Kale.

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Kale as an alternative winter forage crop

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Kale as an alternative winter forage crop

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Feeding forage kale to weanlings is an alternative forage source to conventional feeding systems of rearing replacement dairy heifers where soil conditions are suitable.

According to Teagasc kale has a high feeding value (DMD > 80%; 1.03 - 1.05 UFL/kg DM) and is equivalent to early spring grass in terms of quality. It also has a high level of crude protein (16-18% CP) to promote animal growth.

For success with kale early June sowing is key. So now is the time to plan.

Requirements

Kale should be sown in the first week of June - the earlier the crop is sown the greater the dry matter (DM) yield. Sowing after mid-June will lead to lower DM yields and therefore reducing the economic viability of the system.

A fine, firm seed bed is essential - kale seed is very small and soil needs to be well cultivated to ensure good germination. This can be completed by discing the paddock several times.

Seed can be drilled or broadcast (higher seeding rates may need to be used when broadcasting)

Seeding rates are ~ 4.5-5kg/ha

Clubroot can be a problem in paddocks continually sown with brassicas - have a minimum of a five-year rotation and ensure that soil pH is adequate (preferably 6.5 - 7.0 pH)

Nitrogen - For Index 3 soil 100kg N/ha will be required - best results are achieved when the nitrogen is applied in two applications. The first at sowing and the second at the 2-3 leaf stage

P & K - For Index 3 soils 30 P and 170 K will be required and should be applied at sowing

Once sown crops should not be forgotten about - they will need to be checked regularly for insect attack. In dry weather, flea beetle can attack - this is seen as 'pin holes' in the leaves at the 2-3 leaf stage. When the plant is well established it is open to attack from caterpillars (diamond back moth). This is seen as transparent windows in the leaf and when the leaf is turned over green caterpillars are visible. If both of these circumstances occur immediate action is required.

Weed failures are becoming common in early sown Kale as germination may be slow and weed seeds are more likely to germinate in May than June, thus increasing weed pressure. Perennial weeds such as Scutch grass, docks and thistles must be controlled by a glyphosate application pre sowing and a 'stale' seedbed may reduce weed burden.

April/May sowing - apply 1.5 l/ha Butisan S pre-emergence of the crop (cannot be applied onto broadcast crops). Rainfall and soil cover are critical for safe use - see label.

June sowing - should not need weed control.

Flea beetles can attack at emergence - eat small holes in the leaves. Control is rarely warranted in a fast growing crop. Control is by spraying with contact insecticide e.g. Decis 0.25 l/ha in 200 l/ha water.

The most damaging of caterpillar is the Diamond Back Moth which will lay eggs on the underside of each kale leaf. It is particularly damaging in warm weather. Decis at 0.3 l/ha in 600 l/ha water will give good control. Use an organo-silicon based wetter e.g. Slippa, SW7, Breakthrough etc. A repeat application may be necessary.

Club root is the main threat but kale is not as prone as other brassicas. A one in five year rotation for brassicas is suggested to keep Club root levels low. Club root can last 20 years in soils. Grampian and Caladonian are tolerant of Club Root but do not reduce the levels of the pathogen in the soil so another brassica grown in the future will suffer from the disease.

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Kale - valuable alternative to conventional winter feeding

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Feeding forage kale to weanlings is an alternative forage source to conventional feeding systems of rearing replacement dairy heifers where soil conditions are suitable. According to Teagasc kale has a high feeding value (DMD > 80%; 1.03 - 1.05 UFL/kg DM) and is equivalent to early spring grass in terms of quality.