Today's Farm September-October 2011

11108 TEAG TODAYS FARM sept_Final Cover 25/08/2011 11:17 Page 1

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME 22 NUMBER 5

Why cheese is sure to please The many benefits of an eProfit Monitor 9 Superlevy: managing the risk 16 Managing autumn closing 20 Don’t miss out on a College place 22 Beef Demo Farms 28 Keep an eye on your tree planting deadline 32 Thinking about winter barley? 36 Plus countering compaction, Botanic Gardens and more…

Easy, Convenient & Effective.

Don’t risk Fluke, Worm and External Parasite infection in your herd.....

Protect with

Closamectin Pour on for a stress free and productive housing treatment.

Please read the product data sheet and seek advice before use. The dosing programme should be established by a veterinary surgeon or suitably qualiďŹ ed person.

Manufactured and distributed in NI by: Norbrook Laboratories Ltd, Station Works, Newry, Co. Down, BT35 6JP. Distributed in GB by: Norbrook Laboratories (GB) Ltd, 1 Saxon Way East, Oakley Hay Industrial Estate, Corby, NN18 9EX. Distributed in ROI by: Norbrook Laboratories (Ireland) Ltd, Rossmore Industrial Estate, Monaghan, County Monaghan.

Legal Category: UK: POM-VPS. ROI: LM. Closamectin Pour on Solution for Cattle contains 0.5%w/v Ivermectin and 20%w/v Closantel.

contents

SAyInG yes to cheese

6 Etc Farm Safety 8 Poster boy Dairy 4He mAny benelts oF An eProlt -onItor 11 #Heese 'LorIoUs #Heese 16 SUperLeVy mAnAGInG tHe rIsK 18 #oWs cAUsInG compActIon 20 -AnAGInG AUtUmn cLosInG Education 22 $on t mIss oUt on A coLLeGe pLAce Drainage 24 ,ooK beFore yoU DIG Equine 2 9oUnG "reeDers ProGrAmme

Mark Moore %DItor

4oDAy s &Arm

Drystock 26 .o orDInAry mocK 28 "eelnG Up tHe DAIry enterprIse Forestry 1 'oInG nAtIVe Environment 2 $on t mIss yoUr tree pLAntInG DeADLIne Tillage 6 4HInKInG AboUt WInter bArLey

Education 22 Don’t mIss oUt on A #oLLeGe place

Botanic Gardens 8 "e sAFe In tHe GArDen Cover caption | While the majority of Ireland’s cheese production will continue to be exported there is potential on the home market too.

UK consumers average over 10kg per head per year against about 6kg/head here.

Picture courtesy of Bord Bia

Is Ê Today’s Farm an iris do chliaint Teagasc. Bíonn altanna teicniúla ann faoi chúrsaí dÊiríochta, faoin eallach, faoi chaoirigh agus faoin gcuradóireacht, agus faoi go leor eile. Is minic altanna faoin timpeallacht agus faoi dheiseanna Êagsúlaithe feirme san iris freisin. GnÊ an-tåbhachtach den iris is ea na haltanna faoin gcaoi le cúrsaí gnó na feirme a låimhseåil. Ar na topaicí eile a chlúdófar amach anseo beidh tåirgeadh fuinnimh ar an bhfeirm, an fhoraoiseacht, an ghairneoireacht, srl. Agus beidh altanna ann ó thråth go chÊile faoi chúrsaí feirmeoireachta thar lear freisin.

Today’s Farm is a bi-monthly publication produced in a joint venture between Teagasc and the Agricultural Trust, publishers of the Irish Farmers Journal and The Irish Field.

Editor: Mark Moore | Editorial team: Alison Maloney, Joanne Carroll, Eric Donald Chief sub-editor: Leslie Horgan | Sub-editors: Regina Horan, Garrett Allen Cover design: Design at DBA | Imaging: Owen McGauley, Sean O’Flaherty Printing: Boylan Print Group, Drogheda, Co Louth | Advertising: Frank McGouran All Media Matters (01) 4941071 086-8111567 sales@allmediamatters.com All editorial enquiries to: Teagasc, Oak Park, Carlow Tel: (059) 9170200 Fax: (059) 9183498 e-mail: mark.moore@teagasc.ie | web: www.teagasc.ie The publishers do not accept responsibility for any private and trade advertisements or advertising insertions included in this publication. Occasional reference in this magazine to trade names and proprietary products may be inevitable. No endorsement of named products is intended, nor is any criticism implied of similar products which are not mentioned.

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Renowned Service, First Class Advice

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LEFT: The focus of the Teagasc stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships will be farm potential.

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DaIryInG The Forager Handbook Miles Irving

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saFety

Taoiseach Enda Kenny launched the Farm Safety Poster campaign in Teagasc Athenry in July.

The A to Z oF saFety Anthony O'Connor Teagasc, Athenry.

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DaIryInG Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a no brainer Do an eProlt -onItor Tom Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dwyer, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Programme, Moorepark

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GEA Farm Technologies -the right choice

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 9

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

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Any Farmer thInKInG oF eXpansIon mUst assess hIs cUrrent Farm perFormance beFore commIttInG to a larGe InVestment the eProlt -onItor Is IDeal For thIs

10 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Comments on the eProlt -onItor DIrect QUotes From Farmers Who haVe completeD eProlt -onItor s hThe eProlt -onItor alloWs me to stay In bUsIness v s hThe eProlt -onItor has helpeD my bUsIness by clearly DemonstratInG What eFFect eVeryDay DecIsIons haVe on my costs anD prolts v s h&armInG WIthoUt the eProlt -onItor WoUlD be lIKe hUrlInG WIthoUt Goalposts HoW WoUlD yoU KnoW What to aIm For HoW WoUlD yoU Keep the score v s hIt enables me to maKe DecIsIons baseD on soUnD eXact analysIs v s AnneMarie Butler, Agricultural Manager Ulster Bank, says: hThe eProlt -onItor Demonstrates to Us the perFormance oF the Farm to Date anD the potentIal oF the Farm For FUtUre GroWth It also InDIcates that the Farmer has an aWareness oF hIs costs anD marGIns anD Is InVolVeD In analysInG the perFormance oF the Farm bUsIness on an annUal basIs As sUch It Is an Important report WhIch can aFFect a FUnDInG DecIsIon v Co Tipperary dairy farmer, Ky 6aughan, recently completed eProlt Monitor for the lrst time: @@I alWays KneW I Was DoInG oKay bUt When I completeD the Prolt -onItor For the lrst tIme thIs year I KneW eXactly hoW my Farm Was perFormInG I can noW benchmarK myselF aGaInst others Who are UsInG the Prolt -onItor â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

The eProlt -onItor WIll help yoU DecIDe on the best way ForwarD For yoUr Farm

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 11

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Today’sfarm

FBD is going on tour FBD was founded for farmers by farmers and this year, as part of our strong commitment to the farming community, we’re going on tour.

So, keep an eye out for the FBD Tour Bus at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co. Kildare from September 20th to 22nd.

You can pop in for a chat about your individual farming insurance needs with a member of our friendly staff.

With over 40 years experience insuring Irish farmers, they’re sure to have a package to suit you, at a great price.

Today’s farm | September/October 2011| 13 FBD Insurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Supporting Irish Farmers

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14 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most expensive cheese The value placed on cheese by the market is dictated by the overall availability of the cheese plus its mavour, texture and cooking properties. Many of the most expensive cheeses are linked to specilc geographical regions of Europe and are often very complex cheeses in terms of their manufacturing and ripening processes.

The two most expensive cheeses in the world owe their status to their rarity. In second place, at â&#x201A;Ź800/ kg, is a cheese made from Moose milk in Sweden, and in lrst place, at â&#x201A;Ź1,000/kg, is a cheese made from Donkey milk in Serbia. Despite their cost, we are unlikely to be advising a major restocking of the Irish dairy herd!

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 15

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

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QUOTA ALERT George Ramsbottom, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Programme, Oak Park

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Table 1 | Estimated reduction in milk yield achieved by culling 10 cows on 1 September from a 100-cow herd Month

Yield (litres/day)

Total per cow (litres/month)

Total per herd (litres/month)

September

17

510

5100

October

14

420

4,200

November

10

300

3,000

Total

1,230

12,300

16 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Table 2 | Net milk price obtained relative to the percentage of milk supplied that incurs the superlevy lne % Over Quota Milk Price c/l

10%

20%

30%

40%

34c

31.4c

29.2c

27.4c

25.8c

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 17

Keep oFF the GrassÐ Soil compaction can seriously damage productivity from pastures Dermot Forristal Cereals, Environment and Land Use Programme, Teagasc Oak Park

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Figure 1: Impact of conventional and LGP silage harvesting traffic on grass yield Conventional tyres

LGP tyres

16 Annual Grass DM yield (t/ha)

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While all machinery operations can cause soil compaction, those that have heavy loads and a high traflc density, such as silage harvesting, are critical.

The best strategy is to control animal and machinery traflc and use low ground pressure tyres where possible.

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 19

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

DaIryInG

KEEPING UNDER COVERS

A GUIDe to aUtUmn GrasslanD closInG manaGement Deirdre Hennessy, Teagasc, Grassland Programme, Moorepark

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20 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Grazing guide For more information on grazing management, see the new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grazing Guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; booklet jointly published

by Teagasc and the ,ULVK )DUPHUV -RXUQDO.

Table 1 | Targets for autumn farm closing management Week end date

% of total farm area grazed

10th October

Start closing the farm in rotation

7th November

60% Grazed & Closed

25th November

Full-time housing

Table 2 | Target autumn farm covers (kg DM/ha) for a spring calving herd stocked at 2.5 LU/ha Month

Stocking rate (on grazing area) (LU/ha)

Growth

Target cover per cow

(Kg DM/ha)

Target average farm cover (kg DM/ha)

Aug 15

2.5

65.0

775

310

Event

(kg DM/cow)

Sept 1

2.5

51.0

1100

440

Sept 15

2.5

37.1

1125

450

Peak cover achieved

Oct 1

2.5

30.0

1075

430

Oct 15

2.5

26.8

950

380

First paddock closed

Nov 1

2.5

15.0

700

280

Supplement introduced

Nov 15

2.5

8.5

600

240

Nov 22

2.5

2.7

550

220

House by day and night

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 21

Today’sfarm

eDUcatIon

DON’T -ISS OUTÐ How to maximise your chances of a place at Agricultural College Paddy Browne Teagasc, Education Programme

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22 | Today’s farm | September/October 2011

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Killian Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donovan, Ballymacwilliam, Clonakilty, Co Cork Completed course 2008 s Progressed to Advanced Certilcate in Dairy Herd Management course which he completed in June 2008

Course s hThe course was highly benelcial to me. The learning was a big step up from lrst year to second year and the emphasis on the home farm business was very applied.â&#x20AC;?

Work experience

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Commute or live in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

s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did my 12 weeks work experience on the farm of Gareth Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill in Ballineen, Co Cork. This was a very worthwhile experience as it is a very eflcient dairy farm, involved in grass measurement and budgeting. This is the technology that will help raise prolts in my own business during my career. All Level 5 trainees seeking a career in dairy farming should do this course.â&#x20AC;?

Future plans s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I plan to farm in partnership with my parents and build a successful dairy farm which will be based on grazed grass. I am an active member of my local discussion group. I am interested in travelling also and, with my parents, we are part of the European Dairy Farmers network which is a useful network for exchanging ideas.â&#x20AC;?

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 23

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

STUDENTPROFILE

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

DraInaGe

LooK beFore yoU DIG

By David Trant and Oliver McGrath, Teagasc, Listowel

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Example

The outmow of water from the main drains indicates a successful outcome and the area has become a lot more workable already.

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24 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

The YoUnG "reeDers ProGramme Wendy Conlon, Teagasc, Rural Economy & Development Programme

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a horse to avail of this opportunity

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 25

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

DrystocK

No orDInary mocK Frank Hynes, Sheep Specialist, Grassland and Animal Programme, Teagasc Athenry

Sean and Deirdre Fitzgerald run a pock of 1 spring lambing ewes in Cratloe, Co Clare. But this is no ordinary pock. The ewes are milked and the milk used for cheese production

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26 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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ABOVE LEFT: Milking sheep is similar to milking cows.

ABOVE RIGHT: Goats cheese is a tasty, high value product.

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 27

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

K In Cratloe HIlls

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

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"eelnG Up the D DaIry bUll beeF Demo Farms Pearse Kelly, Teagasc Animal & Grassland Programme

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28 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 29

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

DaIry enterprIse

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

DrystocK

Laurence McEvoy, Co Kilkenny

Tom English, Co Wexford

Jim Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea, Co Tipperary

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30 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

Forestry Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

Go natIVe Frances McHugh, Teagasc Forestry Development OfĂ&#x161;cer, TeaGasc Crops EnVIronment LanD Use ProGramme

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-ost oF the natIVe broaDleaF specIes are InVolVeD In tree ImproVement proJects Tree breeDers here co-operate wIth theIr colleaGUes In "rItaIn UnDer the "rItIsh anD IrIsh HarDwooD ImproVement TrUst "IHIT In the ImproVement oF ash oaK anD bIrch The aIm oF the proJects are to DeVelop a homeGrown sUstaInable sUpply oF materIal that Is healthy anD aDapteD to the enVIronment anD that has ImproVeD Growth rates anD tImber characterIstIcs Tree ImproVement Is lonG-term by natUre bUt some specIes lIKe bIrch are Faster to worK wIth than others lIKe oaK The bIrch

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proJect Is a TeaGasc/UCC collaboratIon FUnDeD by CO&ORD anD whIle research contInUes the proJect Is alreaDy GeneratInG seeD From an InDoor seeD orcharD ThIs seeD From trees selecteD early In the proJect has Gone oUt to nUrserIes to enter the commercIal sUpply oF plantInG materIal In 2012/1 An UpDateD orcharD baseD on the resUlts oF 10-year-olD lelD trIals wIll be proDUcInG seeD In two years tIme

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- Dr Elaine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, UCC, project manager, The Birch and Alder Improvement Programme

Why the emphasis on native

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 31

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

enVIronment Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mIss yoUr plantInG DeaDlIne &DWKHULQH .HHQD reveals new ogures on the amount of planting undertaken in AEOS 2010 and gives tips to those about to plant, based on farmer experience

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Hedgerow planting 2YHU IDUPHUV LQ 5(36 FRPPLWWHG WR SODQW D WRWDO RI RYHU NP RI QHZ KHGJHURZ &LUFXODU DOVR DOWHUHG WKH WLPHVFDOHV IRU KHGJHURZ SODQWLQJ +DOI PXVW EH FRPSOHWHG E\ WKH HQG RI WKH VHFRQG FDOHQGDU \HDU

32 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

WKRVH SODQWLQJ KHGJHURZV LQ $(26 LV WR FKRRVH D KROO\ KHGJHURZ :KLOH KROO\ SODQWV DUH PRUH H[SHQVLYH WKH FRVW ZLOO EH FRYHUHG E\ $(26 +ROO\ KHGJHURZV DUH VORZ JURZLQJ EXW FDQ EH D VXLWDEOH RSWLRQ WR VFUHHQ IDUP\DUGV 2YHU WKH oYH-\HDU SHULRG RI $(26 NP ZLOO EH ODLG DQG NP ZLOO EH FRSSLFHG 2QH oIWK RI WKH ZRUN KDV WR EH GRQH E\ 'HFHPEHU QR UHFHLSWV LQYROYHG 2YHU WKH SHULRG RI 5(36 PRUH WKDQ IDUPHUV ZLOO OD\ NP DQG ZLOO FRSSLFH NP RI KHGJHURZ *Catherine Keena, Teagasc, Crops, Environment & Land Use Programme

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 33

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

For farmers awaiting approval under AEOS 2011, now is the time to plan provisionally.

Consider a holly hedgerow such as this one planted under AEOS 2010.

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"eware oF DeclInInG soIl FertIlIty Mark Plunkett*, Stan Lalor*, Teagasc, Johnstown Castle & Eamonn Grace, B & T Dairy Adviser, Carlow

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Figure 2: Soil K trends in Teagasc soil samples 2001-2011

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Figure 1: Soil P trends in Teagasc soil samples 2001-2011

Percentage of samples

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

soIl FertIlIty

34 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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Philip has an intensively stocked dairy farm at 2.38LU/ ha in 2006, rising to 2.62LU/ha currently

1. Soils in P Index 1

will produce about 1.5t/ha grass dry matter less than soils maintained at the target soil Index 3. This is worth up to â&#x201A;Ź345/ha.

Early spring growth is particularly affected by low soil P, while silage yields are very sensitive to soil and fertilizer K levels.

2. Low fertility

soils will have an increased need for grass reseeding as more productive rye grasses / clovers will be less persistent on low fertility soils.

Table 1: Percentage of soil samples in Index 1, 2, 3 and 4 on Donohueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm

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Index

2006

1 2 3 4

P 0 0 15 85

2009 K 0 8 23 69

P 0 41 47 12

K 6 35 29 29

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Action

1. Establish soil fertility on your farm through regular soil testing every 3 to 5 years.

2. Target livestock

manures (Slurry / F9M) to Ă&#x161;elds with the lowest soil P & K levels to help build soil fertility to soil Index 3.

It Is Important to note that when comparInG soIl test resUlts that samples are taKen From the same areas at the same tIme oF the year

3. Apply lime as

*Mark Plunkett and Stan Lalor: Teagasc, Crops, Environment & Land Use Programme

5. Soil fertility is a

recommended on your soil test report. Where soil Mg levels are low apply Magnesium limestone.

4. Develop a fertiliser plan to build soil fertility levels to soil Index 3 for maximum production.

Be prepared to invest in P and K. long-term investment and needs to be reviewed every 3 to 5 years to plan future fertiliser applications.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 35

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

Implications of low soil fertility

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sfarm

tIllaGe

ThInKInG aboUt Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not an easy option but, managed well, the crop can yield healthy returns Michael Hennessy, Teagasc Crops,

Environment & Land Use Programme

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36 | Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011

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DaIryInG

National Tillage Crops Forum

The National Tillage Crops Forum will be held in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare, on Wednesday 7 September from 2pm. All are welcome.

The national forum will again provide growers with the opportunity to hear the latest market predictions and learn about new developments. At the event, Department of Agriculture Cereal Variety Testing Staff will talk about the up and coming varieties and signpost their advantages and disadvantages.

Potential margins for the coming year and, specilcally, oilseed rape establishment, also will be discussed.

Eimear Gallagher, Teagasc food researcher, will give an insight into developments in breadmaking, while industry experts will outline market prospects for next year.

The forum will close with discussion from a panel of industry representatives from processing, merchants, advisers and growers, who will be on hand to guide growers on the best ways to add value to their grain and to answer questions from the moor. Looking forward to meeting you there.

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Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s farm | September/October 2011| 37

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t wInter barley

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38 | Today’s farm | September/October 2011

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Stamp out weeds with Firebird.

If it’s meadow grass you want to stamp out Firebird is all you need. For controlling annual meadow grass and a range of broad leaved weeds using Firebird pre-emergence will get your weed control programme off to a flying start.

With its low dose rate and stain-free, odourless formulation Firebird is easy to use too. Proving that when it comes to stopping weeds before they start Firebird comes out on top.

www.bayercropscience.ie Firebird® is a registered trademark of Bayer and contains flufenacet and diflufenican.

Always read the label: use pesticides safely. © Bayer CropScience Limited 2011. Bayer Freephone: 1800 818 534. www.bayercropscience.ie Triple Rinse Containers and Invert to Dry at Time of Use.

Spirovac is Back...

Bovine leptospirosis is a highly infectious disease and is widespread in Ireland with over 70% of Dairy Herds infected1.

If leptospirosis gets in to your herd it can have serious effects on productivity and proďŹ tability.

For further information please contact your veterinary surgeon or

PďŹ zer Animal Health, 9 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24. (01)4676650.

LM

1. Dermot Mackie, CAVI conference proceedings Ocotber 2009