https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv The padlet's objective is to create a plan for completing a grassland management plan on my home farm in Co. Tipperary. en-us 2019-02-12 12:53:10 UTC 2024-10-16 15:24:46 UTC hello@padlet.com andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330463642 Grass is the cheapest feed stuff available and Irish farms have the potential to grow 12-16 t of grass (O'Donovan et al. 2011).

The better utilisation of grass on Irish dairy farms will be distinct advantage compared to other dairy producers in the world.

Grass10 is Teagasc grassland initiative to promote better grass utilization in dairy, beef and sheep farms.

Low adoption rate of grass measuring tools like PBI in dairy at around 18% (Creighton et al, 2011). 

Only one in 500 drystock farms grass measure. (Agriland, June 2017)

]]> 2019-02-12 17:43:35 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330463642 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330464796 100 acres/ 38.37 ha
35 Spring calving  British Friesian cows
Dairy Grazing block is 12ha.
SR of 2.9 LU/ha on the Dairy platform.

20 20-24 month HEX animals
15 20-24 month AAX animals
20 AAX Yearlings 
15 HEX Yearlings
35 AAX calves
Rest of the farm is used for beef enterprise and silage.

]]> 2019-02-12 17:45:21 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330464796 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465102 Majority of farm in one block.

Good soil and land is of good quality.

90% of the farm of dry ground.

Good infrastructure on the dairy block.


Good potential to grow grass and utilize it.

Son studying Agricultural Science who can suggest ideas on how to manage grass.]]> 2019-02-12 17:45:51 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465102 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465212 Infrastructure in need of  repair in the beef grazing block.

Farmer in his mid 60s. 

Poor adoption of grassland management techniques and technology. 

Poor understanding or interest in grass budgeting.

Health - TB, pneumonia and mastitis all have the capability to impact on farm' performance.

In a discussion group just for KT (DAFM) compliance.

]]> 2019-02-12 17:46:03 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465212 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465577 Land availability - Lack of land available to expand the enterprise(s) in the future due to Coolmore 

Brexit - the uncertainty of Brexit on the Irish Ag Sector.

Extreme weather events like spring and summer of 2018.

Labour - Finding reliable workers when son is away an issue.

Price of inputs - fertiliser, feed, contractors etc whose prices cannot be guaranteed. Volatility to farm net income as a result.

Regulations in terms of emissions or rules enforced in order to receive subsidies are threats to the industry

Viability of the beef enterprise.

Volatility of milk price

]]> 2019-02-12 17:46:38 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465577 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465765 Drainage work carried out on the bog fields about 10-15 years ago. Wettest land (4 acres)  was fenced before the works but is relatively dry now. Thinking of using this plot of land for the beef grazing block.

Develop grass budgeting and measuring skills at farm demos and open days

Join a grass based discussion group in the area.

Employ a grass based ag advisor to further establish better grass measuring.

Get grasstec to map the farm.

Use a grass measuring tool like Pasturebase Ireland or Agrinet.

Use information from Glanbia monitor farms and BETTER beef farms to compare the farm and aim to achieve similar results in the future.


]]> 2019-02-12 17:46:56 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465765 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465852 Over the next 5 years, the objective on this farm is to learn how to start grass measuring using either a quadrant and shears or plate meter. Start measuring grass regularly and put information in either PBI or Agrinet.
Reduce weed infestation on farm.
Farmer aims to improve the infrastructure of the entire farm.]]> 2019-02-12 17:47:04 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330465852 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330466023 Year 1
1.Soil test
2. Get a rough map of the farm.
3.  Get an adviser/grass measuring services  in to help farmer to start grass measure properly
4. Consider the direction the farm is heading (Dairy caf to beef)
Year 2
1. Develop grass measuring properly and measure weekly.
2.  Set up PBI or Agrinet properly and input data.
3. Join a grass focused discussion group.  (Teagasc Clonmel/Thurles)
4.  Control weed and rushes on farm..

]]> 2019-02-12 17:47:24 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330466023 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330719711 2019-02-13 09:30:04 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/330719711 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/337388420 2019-03-04 09:45:41 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/337388420 andrew_o_donnell_1 https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/337388617 1. Grass measure weekly and input data into PBI/Agrinet
2. Based on the information from the previous 2 years in the plan, pick out paddocks that need to be reseeded.
3. Silage test
Year 4
1. Continue to grass measure and budget grass.
2.  From the data collected, see what type of  infrastructure needs to be invested on the farm.
3. Soil test
Year 5
1. Invest in the infrastructure required  on the farm.
2. Review stocking rate on both enterprises, amount of grass grown and reproduction performance of the dairy herd.]]> 2019-03-04 09:46:33 UTC https://padlet.com/andrew_o_donnell_1/40e6dwtahvdv/wish/337388617