Developments in Grassland 5 Year Grassland Management for a Dairy Farm in North Tipperary by Áine Murray https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew The objective of this padlet is to layout a manageable five year grassland plan tailored for the farmer involved. en-us 2018-02-20 12:16:46 UTC 2023-02-14 01:56:20 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Folder.png Background Information ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233223648 55.2 hectare wet land farm.

Spring calving 75 Holstein-Friesian cows.

Completely closed herd farm.

Replacements bred through AI.

One man operation with help at the weekends

Potential to increase numbers some what due to low stocking rate without substantial investment due to adequate infrastructure in place - milking parlour, winter housing, slurry storage.


]]> 2018-02-20 12:40:03 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233223648 Strengths ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233225763 In dry weather good growth due to wet nature of land.

Currently at 170kg excretion for N - low stocking rate

Reseeding programme in place - approx. 10% of land that can be reseeded.

Active member of North Tipperary Discussion group for 25 years.

Willingness to learn.


]]> 2018-02-20 12:47:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233225763 Weaknesses ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233228085 Prohibited to reseed 12 hectares of protected land due to GLAS.

Fragmented Land. 

Has to walk cows on public road to access half the milking block.

Milking parlour is situated at corner of milking block versus the centre where the farmer would prefer.

Learning grass measurement techniques.

Time can be an issue due to lack of additional labour on the farm.

]]> 2018-02-20 12:55:17 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233228085 Opportunities ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233275484 Join a grass focused discussion group - Greenfield Farm.

Commence consistent grass measuring.

Learn how to competently use Pasture Base Ireland or Agrinet.

Attend annual Grass and Muck show in local Agricultural College, Gurteen.

Attend other grass focused events around the country.

Consult with neighbouring farmers that are also grass measuring on progress and struggles.  ]]> 2018-02-20 14:27:12 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233275484 Threats ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233279793 Extreme wet weather conditions at any period of the year - flooding

Lack of availability of seasonal labour during calving season.

TB always a threat - surrounding high tree and deer population.

Price of fertiliser - sky rocketted this year.

Derogation.

]]> 2018-02-20 14:34:14 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233279793 Aim of the Five Year Plan ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233648971 Grasstec map of farm.

Start grass measuring.

Learn how to grass budget from measurements recorded.

Decide is it possible for cow numbers to increase on the same milking platform when grass measuring and budgeting carried out successfully.

If so seek derogation as stocking rate will increase above the permitted 170kg N.]]> 2018-02-21 09:34:55 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233648971 Five Year Plan of Action ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233653560 Focus on grass utilisation on a wet farm.]]> 2018-02-21 09:49:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233653560 Year One ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233685084 Map the farm.

Plan any changes to infrastructure.

Learn grass measuring technique and invest in the method which the farmer prefers.

Seek advice on drainage plan for the farm.

Start getting silage tested every year.]]> 2018-02-21 11:51:32 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233685084 Year Two ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687218 Start grass measuring weekly.

Use grass budgeting techniques based on measurements - 60:40 autumn planner, spring rotation planner.

Soil test and develop fertiliser regime in accordance with results.

Consider draining wettest part of farm.

Seek derogation for additional cows.]]> 2018-02-21 11:59:20 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687218 Year Three ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687264 Continue grass measuring and budgeting.

Insert more access points to paddocks ensuring back paddock has a minimum of two access points.

Continue fertiliser regime.

Maintain roadway.

]]> 2018-02-21 11:59:29 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687264 Year Four ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687317 Evaluate how the plan is working out.

Continue grass measuring and budgeting.

Consider cow numbers on the implementation of grass measuring and budgeting.

]]> 2018-02-21 11:59:40 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687317 Year Five ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687354 Continue grass measuring and budgeting.

Expand cow numbers if grass availability allows.

Soil test again and adjust fertiliser regime to comply with new results.
Insert more water access points in paddocks.]]> 2018-02-21 11:59:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/233687354 Geographical Location ainexxxxxmurr https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/234130539 2018-02-22 09:48:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ainexxxxxmurr/olbaafcd41ew/wish/234130539