Developments in Grassland - 5 year grassland management plan for a beef farm in Co Westmeath by Mark Kearney https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync Mark Kearney 15458112 en-us 2020-02-26 15:56:57 UTC 2025-12-05 00:29:57 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f403.png Introduction mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450665453
  • Improving grass utilization on a drystock farm is worth an additional €105/ ha for every extra tonne of grass dry matter (DM) utilized (Riordan et al, 2018).
  • Large under utilization of grasslands on Irish beef farms at present of on average 5.4t DM/ ha (O`Donovan et al, 2011). 
  • Irish beef farms have the potential to grow between 12 - 16 tonne DM/ ha (O`Donovan et al, 2011). 

    • ]]>     2020-02-26 11:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450665453     Farm Background mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450690525
  • Farm is located at Ballynahown Wood, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
  • Farm is in one block of 122 ha.
  • Farm is currently operating both a suckler beef and dairy calf to beef system.
  • Farms current stocking rate is 1.76.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 12:48:54 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450690525     Strengths mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450734065
  • Educated Farmer (green cert).
  • Farmer has an innovative attitude.
  • Excellent potential to grow and utilize grass better.
  • Land is all in one block.
  • Young farm family who are educated in agriculture.
  • Member of grass focused discussion group.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 14:07:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450734065     Weaknesses mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450742945
  • Certain parts of the farm are wet and not suitable for early spring grazing or late winter grazing.
  • Farm is entirely in permanent pasture.
  • Farmer works full time off farm.
  • Current poor beef prices.
  • Grazing infrastructure.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 14:19:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450742945     Opportunities mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450750368
  • Attend more farm walks and open days.
  • Measurement tools available.
  • Aim to meet Grass10 targets.
  • Increase stocking rate.
  • Reduce feed costs by growing and utilizing more grass.
  • Increase farm profitability.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 14:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450750368     Threats mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450755402
  • High input prices
  • High reseeding costs (approx. €750 per ha.
  • Future uncertainty of the beef sector.
  • Extreme weather events.
  • Labor, farmer currently employed full time off farm.

    • ]]>     2020-02-26 14:34:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450755402     Objective of a grassland management plan mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450764468 The objective on this beef farm for the coming five years is to start measuring grass,  use grass decision support mechanisms and to start matching stocking rate with on farm grass growth potential. ]]> 2020-02-26 14:45:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450764468 5 year plan of ACTION mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450769365 2020-02-26 14:50:48 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450769365 Year 1 (2021) mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450770815
  • Soil Test.
  • Mapping and infrastructure plan.
  • Paddock level nutrient plan
  • Start reseeding 20% of the farm. Begin with the most unproductive fields.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 14:52:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450770815     Year 2 (2022) mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450780670
  • Reseed a further 20% of the farm.
  • Continue subdividing the farm into paddocks and improving the farms overall grazing infrastructure.
  • Spread fertilizer based on soil test results.
  • Begin to increase stocking rates by rearing more dairy crossbred calves.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 15:04:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450780670     Year 3 (2023) mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450799449
  • Reseed a further 20% of the farm.
  • Continue to increase stocking rates by expanding the suckler herd from breeding more replacement heifers.
  • Continue to apply fertilizer based on soil test results.
  • Continue to measure grass on a weekly basis.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 15:26:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450799449     Year 4 (2024) mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450807830
  • Reseed the next 20% of the farm.
  • Conduct an on farm review to see if stocking rate is matching grass growth potential, and make adjustments if necessary.
  • Continue grass measuring on a weekly basis.
  • Allow calves to creep graze ahead of cows.
  • Aim to finish all animals off pasture.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 15:37:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450807830     Year 5 (2025) mark_kearney_2 https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450817087
  • Reseed the final 20% of the farm.
  • Have the farm fully divided into small paddocks which can be grazed in no more than 3 days.
  • Implement rotational grazing across the farm.
  • Evaluate stocking rate and increase if possible.
    • ]]>     2020-02-26 15:48:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mark_kearney_2/kngbwl3rqync/wish/450817087