Across the BETTER farm programme, there are a number of satellite discussion groups established. These discussion groups were first developed around farms involved in phase one of the programme.

There are eight satellite groups in total, of which four are located in the west of Ireland in counties Galway, Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo.

The Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) was launched in 2012 and has over 6,000 farmers participating in it. The lessons learned in the BETTER Farm Beef Programme are being transferred through the advisers and the discussion group network onto as many farms as possible.

Through the network of Teagasc business and technology advisers, farmers can learn key technical messages that are relevant to their farm, but they can also learn from each other how to best carry out their business in a practical way. The Sligo satellite discussion group is facilitated by B&T adviser Tom Coll, Teagasc, Mohill.

The farmers in the Enniscrone group are predominantly operating a suckling-to-weanling system. The majority of the farms are in moderately good soil type located in Co Sligo.

Tom works closely with the satellite group which is focused around the BETTER Farm participant Marty Lenehan. The satellite group in Roscommon is facilitated by Gerry Cregg, B&T adviser, Teagasc, Castlerea.

Farms in the groups mostly have a heavy clay soil. A suckler-to-weanling system is operated by most of the farmers. This satellite group is focused around the BETTER Farm participant in Roscommon, Joe Murray. Harnessing grass growth and turning it into more kilogrammes of liveweight at low cost has been central to the success of the programme.

Over the past year, a number of members from the satellite groups in Roscommon and Sligo decided to measure the amount of grass their farms could produce over the year. This would aid the farmers to make decisions weekly in order to maximise the amount of grass they could utilise.

Measuring grass on a weekly basis allows the farmers to produce a grass wedge for their farm. A grass wedge can show when a surplus of grass is building and needs to be taken out.

It also shows how many fields have grass covers or grass growth that is below livestock demand. Hence, fertilizer may need to be applied. Depending on the deficit, fertilizer rates may need to be increased.

The group members measure grass growth on the grazing paddocks every week. Grazing decisions are then made based on these measurements. If there are too many grazing days ahead of cattle (i.e. more than 21), then paddocks are closed up to cut baled silage. If a shortage of grass is likely to occur, then extra fertilizer is applied.

Small changes, big benefits

David Durkan from Enniscrone, a suckler farmer and member of the Sligo satellite group, said: “Measuring grass gives you more confidence when you have accurate days ahead. When you are farming part-time, it can be time consuming, but by walking the farm once per week and seeing how much grass is on the farm is very beneficial. You can plan how long stock will be in a paddock based on how they grazed the previous paddock as a general guide.’

Trevor Boland, Dromard, Co Sligo, operates a suckler-to-weanling system with his father Joseph and they are active members of the group. Trevor admits huge changes have occurred on their farm as a result of being a group member.

“Increasing the number of paddocks on the farm from nine to 20 over the past two years has allowed me to increase grass production. Previously I would have been of the opinion I was at maximum stocking rate and growing as much grass as I could until I started measuring grass. I didn’t realise how much grass I can actually produce until now. Stock are much quieter and easier to move from one field to another since introducing paddocks.”

Pedigree breeder Padraig McGrath, Elphin, Co Roscommon, who breeds Hereford, Charolais and Angus, also introduced paddocks on his farm.

“Paddocks allow me to creep-graze the calves in front of the cows, which increases overall performance and grass utilisation. Over the winter, the calves are also let out during the day to graze and they are much healthier.”

By participating in the group, Martin Higgins, Ballinlough, Co Roscommon, has seen vast improvements on his farm. “Being a member of the group has challenged me to improve grass utilisation by turning out stock earlier in the spring and extending my grazing season in the autumn. Visiting other farms and seeing how they set up paddocks and make the most of their land has led me to increase production over the past number of years.”

Reseeding has been a huge focus for a number of group members. Kevin Martin, Cootehall, Co Roscommon, is a suckler-to-weanling producer. “By attending the group, I got to see a number of different reseeding methods farmers had used. This allowed me to choose the correct method that suited my farm. As a result of reseeding, the quantity of grass grown has improved significantly. The quality has also increased as a result.”

Since Christy Dowd, Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon, introduced paddocks, he started to identify poor-performing paddocks.

“There were a number of paddocks that had poor-quality grasses and I took them out for reseeding to improve the quality of the sward. I grazed some of these paddocks seven or eight times over the past year which I am very pleased with as I was continually grazing quality swards.”

Figure 1 compares grass growth on the farms in the satellite groups with farms in the BETTER farm programme in the northwest, while Figure 2 outlines the differences between the satellite groups and the BETTER farm programme nationally.

Firsthand experience

Neil Boland, Enniscrone, Co Sligo, one of the farmers involved in the group, explained how his involvement has significantly helped improve his grassland management skills. This was his first year measuring grass.

As Neil operates a contract heifer-rearing system, it is important to try and maximise weight gain from grass in order to reduce concentrate use and keep costs as low as possible.

“I have two plots of land that I keep heifers on. It is very important to allocate each group of heifers enough grass. Measuring grass allows me to know how much grass I can grow on my farm before I consider renting more land. In 2014, I know how much grass I produced and can save money by utilising grass and pushing my farm to the limit.”

At the end of the year, Neil can identify which paddocks are underperforming. Soil samples are taken to identify if it is a soil fertility problem. If soil fertility is good, the paddock is identified for reseeding in the coming year.

“Measuring grass over the past year has allowed me to make decisions based on the number of days ahead I have and the growth rate for a certain week. If I had surplus grass, I knew that I could hold off spreading fertilizer until the following week.”

“My involvement in the group allowed me to compare my figures to other members and make decisions. It was great to have the support. I have clearly seen benefits with stock out later this autumn and closed paddocks having good covers at the moment. I will continue to measure in 2015,” said Neil.

Benefits

Measuring grass has been a huge benefit to pedigree Limousin breeder Kieran Henry from Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, who has been measuring grass with the satellite group for his second year.

In 2011, the farm was divided into large paddocks when Kieran changed over from commercial cows producing weanlings to a full pedigree Limousin herd.

“I started by using electric wire to subdivide larger fields. This allowed me to increase the number of grazing paddocks on the farm. The aim is to graze each paddock in three days to allow a 21-day rotation. A rotational grazing system has increased grass growth and animal performance on my farm.

“It is essential to maximise daily liveweight gain on the pedigree bulls and reduce concentrate input in order to reduce costs.”

As this is Kieran’s second year measuring grass, he feels more confident taking out paddocks when the grass starts to get strong.

“You have to trust what figures are there and take out paddocks on time.”

Grass quality on the farm has improved as a natural by-product of grazing out covers to the ideal height of 4cm and taking out paddocks.

Measuring grass has had a twofold benefit on the farm, as Kieran explained. “Silage quality has increased dramatically. I set out less land for silage and take out more paddocks as they are getting too strong for grazing. The first main cut of silage was cut in early May and the remaining bales were taken out throughout the grazing season.

“As a result, this year my silage analysis ranged from 72-76 DMD. Because of this, I expect my concentrate bill to be reduced this winter.”

Adviser comment Tom Coll

The main advantage of grass budgeting is that stock are consistently grazing grass which is the optimum height to maximise animal performance. Knowing what grass yield is in each paddock and on the entire grazing area enables the farmer to identify surpluses and deficits.

The farmer can then make confident decisions on paddock removal for baled silage where surpluses arise and in doing so maintain grass quality and maximise grass utilisation.

With feed costs for the Enniscrone Suckler Group accounting for 40% of total variable costs in 2013, high-quality grass removed in the form of round bales helps to reduce concentrate requirements over the winter housing period, especially for young stock or cows suckling calves. Round bales made by the Enniscrone Group members on pasture base ranged from 72-76% DMD for 2014 .

Adviser comment Gerry Cregg

The initial focus of the Elphin group was based on improving silage quality. Silage sampling among group members resulted in a renewed focus on increasing rye grass content in the sward. Over 600 acres of land was reseeded in 2012/2013.

This has paid huge dividends in the amount of grass that was grown and also the quality of the swards has drastically improved. This has had a significant knock-on effect on winter weight gains and overall cow breeding performance.

Five group members have been measuring grass on a weekly basis. These figures clearly highlighted how certain paddocks with high rye grass content and good fertility were producing double the amount of grass of paddocks with old grasses and moderate fertility.

Looking forward, we need to be able to measure to achieve improvements.

The five key areas which the group will measure in 2015 are:

  • % silage with DMD > 70%.
  • % of farm reseeded.
  • Measure grass yield on each paddock
  • Calculate the number of grazings per paddock per year.
  • Ratio of fertilizer to meal should be 2:1.