https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk Developments in Grassland - Sean McGrath en-us 2018-02-21 19:45:49 UTC 2018-02-27 13:46:51 UTC hello@padlet.com mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233959738 The research demonstration farm in Athenry is producing an average 11.5 T DM/Ha per annum while BETTER farms are achieving 7-8 T DM/Ha at farm level. The average Irish sheep farm is significantly below this at 4-5 T DM/Ha]]> 2018-02-21 19:49:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233959738 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233960333 Currently running a flock of 350 lowland ewes on a 40ha grazing platform. Stocking rate of 8.75 ewes/ha. Relatively extensive operation with no grass measuring and very little grass inputs.

Growing 5.5 T DM/Ha
 
Potential to grow 9-10T DM/Ha through better grassland management. 

Lambing March 10th - April 14th

350 Belclare X ewes

9 rams of mixed breeds

Grazing Platform 40Ha

Silage ground 7Ha]]> 2018-02-21 19:50:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233960333 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233961751 Good growing capability

Relatively young farmer (49) with sons ready to work

Low input so cost effective

No loans

Matching grass growth with demand very well

Years of breeding to achieve ideal ewe to suit farm

]]> 2018-02-21 19:53:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233961751 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233962257 Part time farmer so not enough time dedicated to system

Not reaching grass growth potential

Land heavy at ends of year

Poor attitude towards expansion

Ground becoming replenished of nutrients

Too much emphasis put on concentrates. ]]> 2018-02-21 19:53:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233962257 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233962796 Youth enrichment

Increase inputs to greatly increase outputs

Improve soil conditions

Improve total grass production

New KT scheme increasing knowledge of grass management and creating a more positive attitude

Take up grass measuring]]> 2018-02-21 19:55:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233962796 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233964385 Wet spring can leave ground heavy during and after lambing

Lamb price volatility

Increased price of inputs

Over stocking

Depleting land of nutrients

Too much work and not enough labour sources]]> 2018-02-21 19:57:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233964385 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233966883 Increase grass production

Increase stocking rate

Increase grazing season

Better soil profile (Index 3)]]> 2018-02-21 20:02:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233966883 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233967789 Soil test and act upon results

Nutrient management plan

Set up paddock system or more defined block grazing system]]> 2018-02-21 20:04:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233967789 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233968585 Soil test and further correct pH and nutrients

Start grass measuring

Use Spring Rotation Planner

Start reseeding more frequently]]> 2018-02-21 20:05:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233968585 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233970806 Identify mistakes on management over past 2 years

Prevent same mistakes

Further expansion?

Have reseeding rates at 15%/year


]]> 2018-02-21 20:09:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233970806 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233972022 Have early grass plan perfected

Have soil at index 3

Stocking rate 12+ ewes/ha

Have at least 40% of grazing platform reseeded

Producing 10T DM/Ha]]> 2018-02-21 20:11:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233972022 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233974984 Use Grass Wedge weekly

Join Pasture Base Ireland

Possible soil test again

Make plan for fields to be reseeded next


]]> 2018-02-21 20:17:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233974984 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233977081 Anglesboro, Co. Limerick]]> 2018-02-21 20:21:54 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233977081 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233977481 2018-02-21 20:22:42 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233977481 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233978098 2018-02-21 20:24:00 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233978098 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233978440 2018-02-21 20:24:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233978440 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233979796 2018-02-21 20:27:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/233979796 mcgrathsean5 https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/235854543 2018-02-27 13:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mcgrathsean5/hiedlbab61jk/wish/235854543