Grassland Development and Management on Ballymac farm. by https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or Objectives, SCOT analysis and a 5 year grassland improvement plan. en-us 2017-02-21 09:04:40 UTC 2023-05-17 16:25:45 UTC hello@padlet.com Introduction bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155087416
  • Ballymac farm is located at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains in Kinnitty, Co.Offaly.
  • The fram consists of 220 acres of permanent grassland and 30 acres forestry.
  • Grass is the most important feed for animals on the farm throughout the year.
  • Grazed grass is the cheapest feedstuff on the farm and is estimated to cost 7c/kg dry matter utilised versus 25 c/kg concentrates used.
  • +1t grass utilised can increase profitability by €105/ha and €181/ha in drystock and dairy farms respectively (O’Leary et al., 2016) 
  • Grass budgeting with the use of grass cover measurements was found to be the most effective aid to good grazing management (O’Donovan et al., 1999)
    • ]]>     2017-02-21 09:18:30 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155087416     Objectives bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155087604
  • Recognise the current level of grassland management on the farm.
  • Identify the strenghts and weaknesses of our grassland based livestick system.
  • Develop a 5 year grassland management improvement plan for our farm.
    • ]]>     2017-02-21 09:19:52 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155087604     SCOT Analysis bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155087648 2017-02-21 09:20:13 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155087648 Current Grassland Management bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155088300
  • Some rotational grazing in place for the dairy herd.
  • Mostly set stocking or mixed grazing in place for beef and sheep.
  • Stocking rate of 1.7 LU/ha  on farm overall.
  • Good dock and weed control apart from rushes on heavy ground.
  • We have our own pit silage making machinery. 
  • Slow turnout of livestock due to heavy soil conditions.
  • 20 acres of reseeding carried out over past 5 years.
    • ]]>     2017-02-21 09:24:48 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155088300     5 Year Plan bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155088359 Year 1
    • Carry out soil testing.
    • Join Pasture base Ireland
    Year 2 
    • Start addressing any soil fertility issues.
    • Start some reseeding and drainage work.
    • Start grass measuring.
    Year 3
    • Set up better grazing systems/rotations.
    • Reduce fertiliser bills on the farm.
    • Evaluate progress half way through.
    ]]>     2017-02-21 09:25:10 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155088359     bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155267836 Ballymac Farm.]]> 2017-02-21 19:07:30 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155267836 bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155268128 The Outfarm - Lally's Fields.]]> 2017-02-21 19:08:23 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/155268128 5 Year Plan bryan_donnelly https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/156471785 Year 4                                                                       
    • Continue to reseed.
    • Soil sample to assess soil fertility again.
    Year 5
    • Evaluate and review the plan and progress.
    • Utilize more grazed grass on the farm.
    ]]>     2017-02-27 16:39:45 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_donnelly/h6nrihx4l2or/wish/156471785