https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp Farm of Joe Cullen en-us 2019-01-31 18:01:52 UTC 2025-04-04 17:11:11 UTC hello@padlet.com michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397482 Future of farm - lots of sheep to dairy converts in area
Extreme weather events
Price of inputs - meal, diesel, fertiliser etc
Poor prices for lambs and cull ewes
GHG regulations
Succession
Buildings in poor condition
Brexit
Wool prices]]> 2019-01-31 18:02:22 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397482 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397620 To join a discussion group
To attend open days
To grass measure
Join Pasturebase
Join BETTER farm scheme
STAP
Sign up to a grass measuring course
Improve infrastructure
New tractor on the way
Grasstec to map
Invest in measurement tools
Reclaim waste ground
Keep rented ground to expand]]> 2019-01-31 18:02:39 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397620 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397731 Farm worker in his late 50s
Lots of bad weather - highest point in Kildare, windy (chill)
Variation in soil quality on farm
Not in a regular DG
Lameness 
Ewes have low star index ratings, similar with rams
Lack of good handling facilities
Fencing could be improved
Computer software skills
Grazing group number
Not grass measuring
Not soil testing 
Water system in shed
No dog
A lot of waste ground]]> 2019-01-31 18:02:51 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397731 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397769 All land accessible for grazing
Very experienced worker
Educated (Kildalton college
Extra labour unit available during lambing
Scans the ewes
Compact lambing
All land accessible by machinery
Student also on farm during lambing
Wide range of breeds (hybrid vigour)
Good potential to grow more grass
Potential for higher utilisation of grass
Wetter ground has been drained in recent times
Poor ground now set aside for forestry
Stud and fields rented out - additional source of income]]> 2019-01-31 18:02:56 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/326397769 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331901419 Spring lambing
Compact lambing season
Grass based production system
Intensive cross-breeding system
1 full time labour unit
Seasonal worker for nights at lambing

550 ewes
150 ewe lambs
11 rams

16 weanling heifers for fattening yearly 

99 acres grazing block
120 acres in total ]]> 2019-02-15 20:17:13 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331901419 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331910489 2019-02-15 20:45:54 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331910489 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331912270 The objective of this grassland management plan is to correct soil pH's, measure and budget grass via a decision support tool, and to utilise more grass on the farm. There will then be potential to increase stocking rates to match improved grass growth.]]> 2019-02-15 20:51:26 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331912270 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913206 Only 24% of sheep farms in Ireland are ‘viable’ -Teagasc.

Across all sectors, sheep farms had the lowest average income per hectare, at €311/ha - National farm survey]]> 2019-02-15 20:54:36 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913206 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913228 Soil test
Apply lime
Improve fencing
Paddock level nutrient plan
Map the farm
Invest in water infrastructure in sheds]]> 2019-02-15 20:54:43 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913228 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913252 Learn and start measuring grass every week
Join a DST - PastureBase
Target paddocks for reseeding based off quality and growth]]> 2019-02-15 20:54:49 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913252 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913285 Continue measuring every week
Continue reseeding paddocks producing poor DM growth
Begin to increase stocking rates]]> 2019-02-15 20:54:54 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913285 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913297 With 2 years data, the following should be reviewed:
- Stocking rates
- Number of animals 
- Grazed herbage grown
- Silage herbage grown
- Utilisation
- Strategic supplementation at grass]]> 2019-02-15 20:55:00 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913297 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913326 Continue to measure and budget
Invest in infrastructure
Alternative forages
Performance at grass - weighing
Maximise stocking rates with grass growths]]> 2019-02-15 20:55:05 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/331913326 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/335122223 2019-02-25 22:01:00 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/335122223 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/335122492 2019-02-25 22:02:09 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/335122492 michael_howard_1 https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/335123068 2019-02-25 22:04:31 UTC https://padlet.com/michael_howard_1/dssfof7winpp/wish/335123068