Transcript Welcome to the farm of Michael & Marion Gowen Hosts for

Shinagh Dairy Farm
Soil Fertility
• Owned Land Vs. Leased Land
• Need to Soil Test
• Assess
Lime requirement (pH )
P & K Status
• Low Soil Fertility
•Compromises Grass Prodn.
•Poorer Return on N fertiliser
• Fix the Deficiencies
Reseeding
• Why?
 Loss of €300+/ha
 Payback within 2 years
• Reseeding Method
– Moorepark Research
– Timing
• Variety Choice
– Use Recommended Lists
– Purpose
– Single Variety
• Post Sowing Management
– Often Forgotten
Grass Production & Utilisation
Grass Production 2011: Projected – 13 t DM/ha
• Grazing Management Tools
• Spring Rotation Planner
Control of 1st rotation
• Summer Grass Wedge
Grazing 1400kg DM/ha
• Autumn Grazing Planner
Start Of Closing - Oct 10th
60% Grazed by Nov 6th
Closing Cover: 550kgDM/ha
Current Grazing Management: (www.shinaghdairy.ie)
• Autumn Grazing : 2 Objectives
Feed the Cow
Set Farm up for Spring
• Rotation Length
30+ days mid Sept
Less than 45 days
• Farm Cover Targets
• Nitrogen Application
• Avoid Grazing High Covers