Bill
E: edit@farmersjournal.ie
T: 01 419 9500
Bill O'Keeffe is a Nuffield Scholar and farms at Clara Co. Kilkenny with his father Philip and uncle Matt. They milk 180 spring calving pedigree British Friesian cows, supplying Glanbia Co-op.
Bill O'Keeffe on 10 Oct 2018
Farmer Writes: building covers and stretching grass for autumn
We are feeding 5kg of concentrate to keep building covers and stretching out grass as far as possible into the autumn, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 26 Sep 2018
Farmer Writes: reducing cow numbers in Kilkenny
We have taken the decision to reduce the cow numbers rather than heifer numbers as we head into the winter, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 12 Sep 2018
Farmer Writes: taking a look at 2019 cow numbers
We need to take a hard look at how many cows we are going to milk next year and make a few choices on that front, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 29 Aug 2018
Farmer writes: rain finally arrives in Kilkenny
Grass is starting to come alive again on Bill O'Keeffe's farm after much-needed rain.
Bill O'Keeffe on 15 Aug 2018
Farmer writes: moisture a scarce commodity in Kilkenny
Bill O'Keeffe is finalising an Italian ryegrass contract with a tillage farmer where he will buy the silage by the bale and the tillage farmer will take full responsibility for the crop.
Bill O'Keeffe on 04 Aug 2018
Farmer Writes: desperate times call for desperate measures
We will have to get more ruthless with decisions this year as there will be very little surplus feed in the system, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 18 Jul 2018
Farmer writes: credit where it’s due this week with Glanbia
Glanbia's extended credit scheme allows qualifying milk suppliers to purchase inputs over the next two months and spread the payments over the next two years.
Bill O'Keeffe on 06 Jul 2018
Farmer Writes: it's all about damage limitation
It's all about damage limitation and survival over the next few months in farming, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 26 Jun 2018
Farmer Writes: finding the feed for next winter
Bill O'Keeffe is concerned that the extended heatwave will result in winter fodder stocks being depleted.
Bill O'Keeffe on 06 Jun 2018
Farmer writes: silage is in the pit and a lot of change at Glanbia
Silage 2018 well underway in Kilkenny and it is interesting to see a lot of change happening in the Glanbia boardroom, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 23 May 2018
Farmer Writes: knocking the first cut of silage 2018
We are due a few sunny days after the washout all spring, writes Bill O'Keeffe.
Bill O'Keeffe on 09 May 2018
Farmer Writes: breeding season running smoothly
With three weeks of AI done we have only 15 cows or 5% of the herd left to breed, writes Bill O'Keeffe.