Developments in Grassland: 5 year management plan by Brian Quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd A case study of a dairy and beef farm in Co.Wexford en-us 2019-02-25 20:29:57 UTC 2025-04-06 16:39:00 UTC hello@padlet.com Strengths: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335136926
  •   soil testing regularly carried out
  • relatively dry farm with ability to grow high yielding grass
  • good grazing infrastructure including roadways, water supply and fencing
  • good fertilizer plan in place
  •  reseeding regularly carried out
  • adequate housing for all animals with little or no straw bedding
  • strong emphasis on fertility and 365 calving interval
  • producing high milk solids year on year
  • very high quality silage made and tested above 75% DMD
  • early turnout, late closing weather permitting
    • ]]>     2019-02-25 23:00:54 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335136926     Challenges: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335136952
  • fragmented land divided in 4 separate blocks
  • limited land area around the home grazing block for expansion
  • soil index 1 for P according to latest soil tests across the whole farm
  • future of the beef production very uncertain in the future 
  • one man job is difficult at calf rearing
  • struggle to find time to do everything. 

    • ]]>     2019-02-25 23:01:03 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335136952     Opportunities: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335136989
  • no grass measurement carried out - huge area to exploit
  • very close proximity to Glanbia co-op for any advice needed
  • enhance grass growth rates and utilization
  •  incorporate the Grass 10 system of utilizing 10 t/ha
  • attend farm walks to develop understanding of new methods and incorporate into the farm
  • improve the efficiency of the farm
  • attend any open days
    • ]]>     2019-02-25 23:01:13 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335136989     Threats brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335137080
  •  milk price volatility
  • Brexit implications
  • environmental regulations will become a major threat
  • quality and quantity of labour availability
  • public attitude towards animal welfare 
  • farm would be very susceptible to drought
    • ]]>     2019-02-25 23:01:45 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335137080     Background info: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335137168
  • dairy farm with dairy calf to beef
  • 80 spring calving cows milked
  • 20 replacement heifers reared annually
  • Holstein Frisian cows
  • very high yielding herd with emphasis put on milk solids in recent years
  • 70 acre grazing block, 30 of this rented.
  • 33 acre out farm for cattle and silage 
  • another 40 acres scattered for replacements, silage making etc.
  • strip grazing preferred technique
    • ]]>     2019-02-25 23:02:18 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335137168     Year 1: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335147213
  •   sign up to PastureBase Ireland
  • map out the whole farm with Grasstec
  • allocate equal grass area within the paddocks
  • incorporate grass measuring techniques
  • soil test all fields and and change fertiliser plan accordingly
    • ]]>     2019-02-25 23:54:08 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335147213     Year 2: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335150368
  • start measuring grass
  • record all info in PastureBase
  • compare with other farms   
  • correct soil indexes from the previous years soil test
  • rectify P and K levels
  • enact a reseeding plan in conjunction with under performing paddocks
    • ]]>     2019-02-26 00:08:49 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335150368     Year 3: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335151006
  • continue to measure and budget accordingly 
  •  reseed under performing paddock at a rate of 15% per year
  • keep learning new techniques from fellow farmers in the discussion group
  • monitor milk yields and cow performance based on grass consumption.
    • ]]>     2019-02-26 00:11:50 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335151006     Year 4: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335151217
  • continue measuring and maximizing grass growth and achieve best possible utilization
  •  review data collected over the previous years to enhance stocking rates or changes in the grazing platform
  • assess to see if zero grazing could improve farm efficiency
    • ]]>     2019-02-26 00:13:05 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335151217     Year 5: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335151250
  • continue measuring and budgeting grass 
  • aim to be growing 13 t/ha so that 10 t/ha is utilized according to Grass 10
  • review paddock sizes 
  • keep going with the reseeding plan
  • monitor milk yields based on grass consumption
    • ]]>     2019-02-26 00:13:15 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335151250     Geographical Location: brian_quigley https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335157887 2019-02-26 00:46:59 UTC https://padlet.com/brian_quigley/3gmqzwtfyevd/wish/335157887