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Discussion group

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Invest in infrastructure to optimism system
Look at paddock sizes and water availability
Continue measuring grass and weighing animals
Look into leasing the available land
Alternative forage- clover, herbs, winter forages and whole crop.

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Start reseeding program
Review performance of cows
Soil test
Use data to assess: stocking rate, calving data, animal no.s, supplementation at grass, grazed and silage herbage grown and utilisation

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Improve measuring
Continue AgriNet system
Improve roadways
Data to target problem paddocks

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Assess field drainage
up date data on Pasture base
Assess grazing system

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Infrastructure
Soil testing
Start grass measuring
Nutrient plan
Tillage sown for grass
extend road ways
Improve fencing

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The objective of doing a 5 year grass plan on this dairy farm is to start measuring grass, become more efficient, asses productivity and improve budgeting by getting up to date with technologies available to budget grass, maximize SR and hit optimum growth levels from grass diet.

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Potential to grow 12-16 t DM/ha (O'Donovan et al 2011)

Total dairy consumption to grow by 27% by 2023 (OECD FAO)

''Ireland's new contract with nature is your proof of sustainable dairy produce'' (Board Bia Origin Green Ad)

80% of Irish cattle feed is grass ( Board Bia)

Irish dairy exports on tract to increase by 50% producing 7.5bn liters by 2020 (Merrionstreet.ie, spotlight: Irish Agrifood Industry in numbers, 2015)

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Availability of experienced staff

exposure to inefficiency taking on new enterprise at such a large expansion

Weather- slow start to the season

Milk price volatility

Policy- GHG emissions

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New member of Pasture Base ( Agrinet)- grass covers and feed budgets

Grasshopper out this week measuring grass and drawing up a plan

Land available for long term lease close to milking platform so expansion is an option

Grants for young farmers- 60% grant on grass measuring equipment

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Massive change over of enterprise

Farm debt- new parlor roadways etc

Short grazing season- late spring

Slurry storage low- contractor out with pipes

Maintaining machinery- high costs

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Fresh young stock to start building his enterprise

Young farmer with son studying level 8 Agricultural Science

Land bank- Long term lease on 16ha in milking platform rest owned

Soil testing every 3 years

Good potential to grow grass

10 farm walks per year run by Teagasc discussion group

Rare all calves bulls and heifers for sale (22 months)

Labour- Teagasc registered farm so get students every year so busy times

New pasture less than 5 years old all reseeded from tillage and improved suckler land

Own all machinery from tillage enterprise

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Tillage, Potatoes and Suckler beef until 2016

Reduced tillage and potato
New dairy- milking 350 Holstein friesian with 20% Jersey crosses

240 cows 110 heifers, all rared from calf no bought in in calf heifers

All spring calving system

90-100ha grazing block