# data[].attributes.body
Invest in infrastructure for 'optimum system':
Paddock sizes, water troughs, access points etc
Continue to measure and budget
Performance at grass - weighing
Alternative forages - clovers, herbs, wintering forages, whole crops

# data[].attributes.body
2 years data collated and continue

Use data to review your system:
Stocking rate
Calving data
Number of animals finished at grass
Strategic supplementation at grass
Grazed herbage grown
Silage herbage grown
Utilisation

# data[].attributes.body
Continue measuring every week

Continue using DST

Soil test - monitor progress

Use data to target reseeding and problem paddocks

# data[].attributes.body
Learn and start measuring every week

Enter data into PBI or Agrinet

Relay data to DG and advosr at every meeting

Aim to perfect by year end

# data[].attributes.body
Soil test

Mapping and infrastrucutre plan

Paddock level nutrient plan

Target high quality silage

Join a

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Grass Software | Herd Software | Accountants Software for farming | AgriNet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Agrinet specialises in software for the farming community including grass software, herd software and accountancy software for the farming community in Ireland.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Grasstec Group | Agriculture Services in Ireland, UK and Europe

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grasstec Group is the leading dairy service provider in Ireland and the UK bringing a combination of expert knowledge and unrivalled customer service.

# data[].attributes.body
Extreme weather events

Labour - currently reliant on father and part time labour (difficult to source v dairy)

Price of inputs - fertiliser, diesel, concentrates

Price for product - finish only

Future of winter finishing

Policy :
GHG regulations

Brexit

Reduction in meat consumption

# data[].attributes.body
Join a grass focussed DG

Join a dairy DG - grass focussed dairy advisor in the area

Attend farm walks and open day

Kildalton college Suckler herd nearby

Grasstec to map

Measurement tools available

DST - PBI

# data[].attributes.body
Works full time

Time a major challenge

Future of beef production - surrounded by dairy and dairy converts

Not in a regular DG - just for KT (DAFM) compliance

Price for beef at factory influences cash flow and progress

Health - TB, pneumonia can have devastating consequences

# data[].attributes.body
Has bred cow type to suit system - Limousin x Friesian

Young farmer (44yo)

Educated (green cert and Science degree)

Willingness to progress

Young family - therefore needs to push on

Good potential to grow grass and utilise it

Mostly dry ground

Reseeding programme in place

Soil testing

Attends farm walks and open days

# data[].attributes.body
The objective on this beef farm over the next 5 years is to start measuring grass, budgeting via a decision support tool and match stocking rate to growth potential

# data[].attributes.body
Currently large under utilisation of grass on Irish beef farms 5.4t DM/ha (O'Donovan et al., 2011; French 2011; Egan and Dukelow, 2018)

Potential to grow 12-16 tonne DM/ha (O'Donovan et al., 2011)

BETTER farms on PBI grew an average of 11t with a wide range from 16.6 to 6.2 t DM/ha per year

+1 t utilised = €105/ha
(Egan and Dukelow, 2018)

Increase export of Irish grass fed beef to 2025 (DAFM, 2015)

# data[].attributes.headline
Beef system of production on current case study farm

# data[].attributes.subject
Beef system of production on current case study farm

# data[].attributes.body
Suckler to finish
Store to finish

50 spring calving cows
20 Autumn calving cows

Cattle 0-1 60
Cattle 1-2 80
Cattle 2+ 70

Stock bulls 2

78 ha grazing block - more or less in one block just split by a regional road