The fourth and final Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm beef challenge autumn walk will take place on the farm of Martin O’Hare in Co Louth.
Martin is running a 60ha, free-draining farm near Dundalk in Co Louth alongside his mother Sheila and with the support of his wife Eilish and son Phelim. Ten hectares of the farm are in tillage while the remaining 50ha is in grassland, split into three blocks.
Ten hectares of the farm are in tillage while the remaining 50ha is in grassland, split into three blocks.
The farm system comprises of under 16-month bull beef, 20-month heifer beef and keeping replacement heifers. There is currently a herd of 93 cows on the farm but, as part of the programme plan, the aim is to push cow numbers to above the 100-mark. Some of the tillage ground may be put back into grassland to cater for this.
Martin is operating a split calving herd with approximately two-thirds calving in the spring and the remaining third calving in the autumn. To boost output and maximise stocking rate, the plan for the farm is to also buy in nearly 30 store bulls to finish alongside his own at under-16 months.
Performance
With plans to increase cow numbers and to purchase extra sock for finishing it is hoped that gross output and gross margin per hectare can be increased. By the end of the programme, Martin has a target stocking rate of 3.1LU/ha, a gross output of 1,375kg/ha and a target gross margin of €1,440. Last year, gross margin was up €166/ha to €1,133/ha from the year previous.
Fodder and finance
This year, the BETTER farm autumn walks are placing a strong emphasis on fodder, finance and herd health. Given the 12 months that have just passed and the huge amount of pressure that has been placed on farm businesses, it is critical that farmers get as much help and advice as possible now to ensure fodder and finances are handled correctly throughout the coming winter.
Given the free-draining nature of Martin's land, the farm suffered greatly due to the drought conditions during the summer. As a result, Martin was forced to feed up to 2.5t/day of silage to one group of 67 suckling cows in one case, to compensate for a lack of grass, as well as grazing his crop of second-cut silage. As growth returned, Martin has thankfully been able to resume fodder conservation once again. He will also keep large amounts of his own straw and grain for feeding.
Due to the higher feed bills, the increased levels of fertiliser spread and the income forgone from keeping high amounts of his own grain, it is likely that Martin's gross margin will be affected, just like on many of the programme participants’ farms.
The farm system comprises of under 16-month bull beef and 20-month heifer beef
On Thursday, it will be interesting to hear from Martin and his advisors about fodder conservation on the farm and the effect this year will have on farm finances. There will be bank officials present on the day to offer advice while Martin’s local vet will also be present to discuss the herd health problems and tips for the upcoming winter.
The event is KT approved and Department officials will be present on the day for sign-in. For those concerned about what is facing them this winter in terms of fodder, finance or herd health, this is certainly an event worth going along to.
The walk will take place at 2pm on Thursday, 13 September on Martin O’Hare’s farm in Little Ash, Knockbridge, Co Louth. Eircode: A91RP48
Read more
Proactive approach for BETTER farm autumn walks
'I always feel they have a better animal for finishing'
Grass+ beef: nutrients needed after heavy growth
The fourth and final Teagasc/Irish Farmers Journal BETTER Farm beef challenge autumn walk will take place on the farm of Martin O’Hare in Co Louth.
Martin is running a 60ha, free-draining farm near Dundalk in Co Louth alongside his mother Sheila and with the support of his wife Eilish and son Phelim. Ten hectares of the farm are in tillage while the remaining 50ha is in grassland, split into three blocks.
Ten hectares of the farm are in tillage while the remaining 50ha is in grassland, split into three blocks.
The farm system comprises of under 16-month bull beef, 20-month heifer beef and keeping replacement heifers. There is currently a herd of 93 cows on the farm but, as part of the programme plan, the aim is to push cow numbers to above the 100-mark. Some of the tillage ground may be put back into grassland to cater for this.
Martin is operating a split calving herd with approximately two-thirds calving in the spring and the remaining third calving in the autumn. To boost output and maximise stocking rate, the plan for the farm is to also buy in nearly 30 store bulls to finish alongside his own at under-16 months.
Performance
With plans to increase cow numbers and to purchase extra sock for finishing it is hoped that gross output and gross margin per hectare can be increased. By the end of the programme, Martin has a target stocking rate of 3.1LU/ha, a gross output of 1,375kg/ha and a target gross margin of €1,440. Last year, gross margin was up €166/ha to €1,133/ha from the year previous.
Fodder and finance
This year, the BETTER farm autumn walks are placing a strong emphasis on fodder, finance and herd health. Given the 12 months that have just passed and the huge amount of pressure that has been placed on farm businesses, it is critical that farmers get as much help and advice as possible now to ensure fodder and finances are handled correctly throughout the coming winter.
Given the free-draining nature of Martin's land, the farm suffered greatly due to the drought conditions during the summer. As a result, Martin was forced to feed up to 2.5t/day of silage to one group of 67 suckling cows in one case, to compensate for a lack of grass, as well as grazing his crop of second-cut silage. As growth returned, Martin has thankfully been able to resume fodder conservation once again. He will also keep large amounts of his own straw and grain for feeding.
Due to the higher feed bills, the increased levels of fertiliser spread and the income forgone from keeping high amounts of his own grain, it is likely that Martin's gross margin will be affected, just like on many of the programme participants’ farms.
The farm system comprises of under 16-month bull beef and 20-month heifer beef
On Thursday, it will be interesting to hear from Martin and his advisors about fodder conservation on the farm and the effect this year will have on farm finances. There will be bank officials present on the day to offer advice while Martin’s local vet will also be present to discuss the herd health problems and tips for the upcoming winter.
The event is KT approved and Department officials will be present on the day for sign-in. For those concerned about what is facing them this winter in terms of fodder, finance or herd health, this is certainly an event worth going along to.
The walk will take place at 2pm on Thursday, 13 September on Martin O’Hare’s farm in Little Ash, Knockbridge, Co Louth. Eircode: A91RP48
Read more
Proactive approach for BETTER farm autumn walks
'I always feel they have a better animal for finishing'
Grass+ beef: nutrients needed after heavy growth
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