30 August 2023
Farm walk planned on DairyBeef 500 farm in Cork
Farming outside of Castlemartyr, Co. Cork, Pat Collins and his family run a mixed farm, consisting of both tillage and dairy calf to beef enterprises, on owned and leased lands in a number of different blocks. Gordon Peppard tells us more about Pat, his farm and an upcoming open day.
The tillage enterprise consists of winter wheat, barley and oilseed rape, spring barley and beans, maize and sugar beet. Many of the crops are retained on farm as winter feed for the beef enterprise and excess cereals and beet are sold off farm. There are approx. 150 acres in grassland, which is made up of traditional permanent pasture, red clover swards and in more recent times multi-species swards have been established.
Although, still in their early years of production, Pat speaks very positively of his experience with multi-species swards so far and the simplicity that this grass crop brings. To date, the only chemical nitrogen that has been applied to the multi-species pastures was 15 units per acre in March, with no chemical fertiliser applied over the summer grazing period, whereas the permanent pasture plots have already received 80 units of chemical nitrogen per acre.
The red clover was cut for the third time on the 20th of July and it is planned to cut it again in early September for a fourth time. This crop received two bags of 0-7-30 per acre after the previous cut. If available and when conditions allow, the red clover plots will receive cattle slurry after cutting to replenish nutrients for the subsequent crop.
This spring, over 300 calves from around 12 different dairy herds were bought in at two/three weeks of age and reared. They were weaned off milk at approx. 10 weeks of age, 85kgs in weight and consuming greater than two kilograms of concentrates per day. Currently on the farm there are five groups of calves at grass and receiving no meals.
The calves bought in were mainly Friesian bull calves and 38 heifer calves. Depending on the number of calves purchased and reared next spring, these heifers will either be sold as stores next year or slaughtered off of grass next October/November.
All male animals on the farm are finished as bulls. There are currently 118 bulls housed and on their finishing diets for the last month, these will be drafted as they become fit with the aim to be slaughtered in September/October at 19 to 20 months of age. The remaining 75 bulls are still at grass where they are divided in two groups. These bulls will be housed in the next two weeks and built up to a finishing diet, where all bulls will be slaughtered before Christmas.
On Tuesday 12th September at 5pm, Pat is hosting a DairyBeef 500 farm walk and Live Forum on his farm, where all are welcome to come along and see Pat’s system in action on the ground where 2023 born calves and finishing bulls will be on display.
The theme of the event is ‘Dairy breeding for beef feeding’, which will be of great interest to both dairy farmers and those interested in rearing dairy-bred stock. Topics on the day will include: current farming system and financial performance; grassland management, including red clover and multi-species swards; and winter feeding options for finishing and weanling animals.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a live forum, where there is an excellent panel of key industry stakeholders lined up to give their views and opinions on current dairy calf to beef enterprises.
Chris Daly ICBF will outline the new Commercial Beef Values (CBV), which can be used as a tool to select calves of higher quality potential at purchase. Laurence Shalloo, Teagasc, will discuss the future of the dairy industry with potential restrictions on calf exports and slaughtering. Martin Kavanagh, Munster Bovine, will provide expert knowledge on animal health issues and animal housing requirements in the potential scenario, where there is an extension on how long calves need to be kept on source farms. Pat Collins, host farmer, will share his personal experiences in dairy calf to beef systems and Jonathan Forbes, Kepak, will look at markets and the key specifications required for finishing animals. Doreen Corridan, Munster Bovine, will chair the forum, providing an opportunity for all in attendance to ask the experts’ views on all things dairy calf to beef.
This farm walk and forum is free to attend and should be of great interest and provide excellent information to both dairy and beef farmers.
Book your ticket for Pat Collins – DairyBeef500 Farm Walk here