Fionbharr Hamill

Downpatrick, Co Down

Grass growth has been under pressure due to dry weather. If rain comes this week, I plan on getting the third application of fertiliser on grazing ground.

There are six cows left to calf and all the beef cattle have been slaughtered. Everything else is at grass.

Barley was sown at the end of March. It has established nicely, but I did have to irrigate a grass re-seed last week due to the conditions.

Cattle sheds have been washed out and I’m working on fixing and updating the electric fencing around the farm this week.

Breeding for heifers started two weeks ago using AI. Breeding for cows started over the weekend, with three animals bred so far. I am aiming to give every cow at least one round of AI before introducing stock bulls.

Declan Rafferty & Aidan Quinn

Pomeroy, Co Tyrone

Grass growth is yet to climb above 30 Kg/DM/ha, but this should jump once we get some rain. We are in our second rotation around the grazing block now.

Sward quality is excellent having gotten a good clean out in the paddocks during the first rotation.

We also only have six cows left to calve, but have gone ahead and power washed sheds and silage pits in preparation for first cut.

The main workload at present is hedge laying and fencing on a land block entered under the wider environmental farming scheme.

Bulls will be weighed in the coming week as they are coming very close to target slaughter weight.

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