The importance of early grass in the cow’s diet and fertiliser planning will be highlighted at a farm event next Tuesday, February 4, on the farm of a family who have improved water quality and their economical sustainability.
Farmers will learn how to reduce operating costs by up to €10,000 and see first-hand the measures one family has put in place to improve farm efficiency next week.
Tirlán dairy supplier Steven Fitzgerald who farm’s at Aglish, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford will host a condensed Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Walk on Tuesday, February 4, beginning at 11:00a.m.
The focus will be on delivering early grass growth and utilisation and a fertiliser strategy for 2025.
The free, on-farm event will include helpful tips and information from Steven Fitzgerald himself, and from Sandra Hayes, Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm programme coordinator.
Hayes will focus on spring rotation and a spring grass budget and other practical steps to get as much grass into the cows in the early grazing season as possible.
Early grass & fertiliser planning
Eanna Loughry and Seamus Kearney of Teagasc Dungarvan, will share their expertise on the best use of the slurry on the farm and a spring slurry/chemical fertiliser plan.
Tirlán’ s Matthew Moylan will demonstrate the different buffer spreading zones on the Fitzgerald farm and their importance in relation to water quality.
Hayes along with Tirlán’s Bryan Harte will also give an insight into spring diets and the importance of having a balanced, high energy diet and the impact it can have in terms of milk solids.
Grass is also one of the cheapest and highest energy foods that we can get into the diet and this will be proven in a number of practical presentations on the day.
Hayes said: “We’re very thankful to Steven for opening his farm for us. Farmers who attend will see first-hand how Steven keeps on target, what tools he uses, his grass budget, his grass intake for cows, the time they spend at grazing, etc.
“We want to show farmers how they can use this natural resource that they have.”
Tirlán’s head of agri sustainability, Thomas Ryan said: “As a Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm programme participant, Steven Fitzgerald and his family highlight how Irish dairy farmers are taking real actions to improve on-farm economic and environmental sustainability”.
Ryan added that this includes “spreading manures using low emissions spreading technologies and improving milk solids and nutrient use efficiency”.
“During 2025, key decisions will be made regarding the future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation, and this event also provides an opportunity for us all to learn more about key actions to address water quality challenges.”