# data[].attributes.body
Multispecies swards delivered significant benefits in terms of ewe liveweight and body condition score
(UCD Lyons Research Trial, Irish Farmers Journal)

Better grassland management and better weaning can increase weaned lambs per ewe to 1.5 in hill flock farming
(Teagasc Hill Sheep Conference 2018)

Availability of grass in the autumn will play a large role in dictating what you do with weaned lambs
(Teagasc Hill Sheep Conference 2018)

91% of Irish farms have insufficient soil fertility levels (Agriland)

Average sheep farmer utilises 5.6t/ha of grass each year and the target is to pull this up to 10t/ha (Dr. Philip Creighton, Teagasc)

# data[].attributes.body
Active member of KT group

Attends meetings once a month

Attends farm walks

Young family with keen interest in agriculture

Soil Testing

# data[].attributes.body
Works full time

Uneducated (no green cert or relevant degree)

GLAS  Participant - Unable to reseed as a result
- Same paddock has to be used annually for traditional hay meadow

Heavy peaty soil which is easily waterlogged

Farmer doesn't see the benefit in grass measuring for relatively small enterprise

Some of land under rough grazing/commonage - no potential to grow grass

Farm Fragmentation

# data[].attributes.body
Measurement tools available

Family members have experience in grass measuring

Local dairy farmer measuring grass and getting great results

DST - Agrinet or PBI

Attend open days e.g. Teagasc Athenry

Land could be drained to get better grass growth from heavy soil

Multispecies swards

# data[].attributes.body
Labour - Part-time farming and all family members in full time employment

Climate - Weather unpredictable

Price of Inputs - Concentrates, Fertilizer, Forage

Price for Product  -Market Fluctuations

Some of the land is leased; which may be terminated before plan is finished

Fodder Crisis

Brexit

Animal Health/Welfare - Excess water on land ideal conditions for fluke or spread of certain diseases

# data[].attributes.body
80 in lamb ewes lambing from 17th March onwards

10 replacement hoggets

Rams: 3

55 acre farm; 30 acres owned, 25 acres rented  - Split into 3 blocks of 25 acres, 18 acres and 12 acres which are 10 - 15 mile away from each other

Stocking Rate: 4LU/ha

# data[].attributes.body
The objective of this sheep farm over the next 5 years is to start measuring grass, develop a nutrient management plan, budgeting to meet demand and adapting to new technologies

# data[].attributes.body
Soil Test

Map the Farm

Nutrient Management Plan

Infrastructure Plan - Fencing Paddocks, Housing Conditions

# data[].attributes.body
Attend grass measuring focused open days/farm walks

Start grass measuring/budgeting

Take an IT course and start learning how to use Agrinet or PBI

# data[].attributes.body
Continue to measure and budget

Design optimum paddock size with adequate water and access points

Monitor animal performance at grass

Invest in infrastructure if required

# data[].attributes.body
Grass measure at least once a week

Continue using Agrinet or PBI

Soil Test again to see if nutrient management plan working

Use data to alter nutrient management plan if required

# data[].attributes.body
Continue to grass measure and record data

Use data to review your system:
Stocking Rate
Fertilizer application
No. of animals finished at grass
Concentrate supplementation
Grass grown
Grass utilization
Silage/Hay herbage grown