https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb en-us 2020-02-17 19:10:07 UTC 2024-11-07 21:27:08 UTC hello@padlet.com markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446488053 The average farm utilizes 7.1 tonnes of grass DM/ha (Creighton et al. 011).

Grass is the cheapest feed source available to farmers at €70 per tonne DM grazed.

Teagasc estimates that if grass utilised were to be increased by one tonne DM/ha/year, the benefit to beef farmers would be  €105/ha.


Farm Details:
101 acre farm in one block

Mix of dry upland and werrer land (60% of the farm is chorcus)

40 spring calving suckler cows with weanlings sold in Autumn

Very large fields with block grazing -  potential to grow a lot more grass


]]> 2020-02-17 19:14:25 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446488053 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494302 Farming full time

Desire to improve grassland management

Relatively young farmer (52 yrs)

Farm has a good level of infrastructure

Farm is all in one block 

All of the wetter land was reseeded years ago

Young family who are educated in agriculture 


]]> 2020-02-17 19:32:31 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494302 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494371 Future of the beef industry isn't clear

Wetter parts of the farm are not suitable for early or late grazing

Most of the farm has not been reseeded in a very long time

Fields are laid out in large blocks




]]> 2020-02-17 19:32:46 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494371 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494457 Increase stocking rate

Reduce feed costs through growing more grass and producing higher quality silage 

Increase profitability

Attend farm walks and open days

Join a Teagasc Disucssion Group




 ]]> 2020-02-17 19:33:03 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494457 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494500 Price of inputs - fertilizer and grass seed

High cost of reseeding

Uncertainty of beef sector

Policy restrictions - clearing hedges

]]> 2020-02-17 19:33:10 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446494500 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446536363  


]]> 2020-02-17 22:05:47 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446536363 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446537388 Soil test entire farm

Start reseeding in fields which require it most (20%)

Start grass measuring

Begin to divide up fields into smaller paddocks]]> 2020-02-17 22:10:33 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446537388 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446540453 Reseed further 20%

Further subdivide fields into paddocks

Spread fertilizer based on soil test results

]]> 2020-02-17 22:25:17 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446540453 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446540788 Begin to slightly increase stocking rate by keeping on more replacement heifers

Reseed further 20% of the farm
 based on least performing fields

Apply fertilizer only where needed based on soil tests

Begin dividing previously reseeded fields into smaller paddocks

Continue to grass walk regurlarly]]> 2020-02-17 22:27:03 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446540788 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446541379 Reseed next 20% of farm

Continue grass measuring weekly

Review situation to see if stocking rate can be increased further

Reduce concentrates fed as silage quality is higher]]> 2020-02-17 22:29:58 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446541379 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446541790 Reseed final 20% of the farm

Ensure entire farm is made up of small paddocks which can be grazed in 3 days ideally

Implement rotational grazing around the farm

Allow calves to  creep graze ahead of cows

Evaluate stocking rate and increase if possible]]> 2020-02-17 22:31:42 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/446541790 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/506203206 Reseed first 20% of the farm

Begin subdividing fields into paddocks

Carry out soil tests on the farm

Seek information on grassland management]]> 2020-04-14 12:08:10 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/506203206 markfreeman0908 https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/506206688 PGSH - 3.5 - 4cm 
Pre Grazing Mass - 1,400 kg/ha
Autumn Planner to be put in place to suit the farm

]]> 2020-04-14 12:10:23 UTC https://padlet.com/markfreeman0908/m00hr9rg40cb/wish/506206688