Teagasc/Dairygold Monitor Farm Updates 2025
27th June
| Farmer | Location | AFC (Kgs DM/ha) | Cover /cow | Growth (kg DM /ha/day) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Pre-grazing yield (Kgs DM/ha) | Kgs Meal/cow | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 722 | 228 | 57 | 57 | 3.17 | 1400 | 2 | 23.5 | 4.43 | 3.69 | 1.97 | 49 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 699 | 183 | 47 | 69 | 3.82 | 1100 | 4 | 22.7 | 3.83 | 3.6 | 1.73 | 86 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 731 | 180 | 69 | 69 | 4.07 | 1500 | 1.8 | 23.6 | 4.57 | 3.94 | 2.07 | 124 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 589 | 174 | 33 | 57 | 3.38 | 900 | 3 | 23.8 | 4.13 | 3.64 | 1.90 | 142 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 670 | 206 | 78 | 62 | 3.26 | 1300 | 2 | 24.5 | 4.29 | 3.77 | 2.03 | 218 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 640 | 194 | 71 | 59 | 3.3 | 1450 | 2 | 25.1 | 3.9 | 3.71 | 1.97 | 71 |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 611 | 175 | 59 | 58 | 3.49 | 1450 | 2.5 | 23.3 | 4.09 | 3.73 | 1.88 | 77 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 619 | 183 | 53 | 61 | 3.38 | 1500 | 2 | 24.0 | 3.95 | 3.69 | 1.89 | 193 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 740 | 216 | 56 | 62 | 3.42 | 1400 | 2 | 22.3 | 4.39 | 3.8 | 1.88 | 148 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 596 | 163 | 66 | 62 | 3.65 | 1400 | 3 | 24.4 | 3.95 | 3.78 | 1.94 | 104 |
| Average | 662 | 190 | 59 | 62 | 3.5 | 1340 | 2.4 | 23.7 | 4.15 | 3.74 | 1.93 | 121 |
6th June
| Farmer | Location | AFC (Kgs DM/ha) | Cover /cow | Growth (kg DM /ha/day) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Pre-grazing yield (Kgs DM/ha) | Kgs Meal/ cow | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 638 | 180 | 77 | 60 | 3.55 | 1700 | 3 | 25.3 | 4.63 | 3.65 | 2.16 | 51 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 979 | 259 | 70 | 68 | 3.78 | 1500 | 4 | 26.2 | 4.05 | 3.5 | 2.04 | 128 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 616 | 188 | 53 | 46 | 3.27 | 1300 | 4.5 | 25.5 | 4.57 | 3.81 | 2.20 | 95 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 658 | 184 | 59 | 57 | 3.58 | 1250 | 4 | 24.5 | 4.32 | 3.61 | 2.00 | 137 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 2 | 26.0 | 4.14 | 3.61 | 2.08 | 199 | ||||||
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 657 | 176 | 62 | 60 | 3.73 | 1600 | 4 | 26.7 | 4.04 | 3.63 | 2.11 | 91 |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 637 | 175 | 82 | 54 | 3.64 | 1450 | 4.5 | 25.5 | 4.13 | 3.66 | 2.05 | 59 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 568 | 178 | 54 | 51 | 3.19 | 1200 | 4 | 27.4 | 3.89 | 3.55 | 2.10 | 183 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 617 | 171 | 58 | 58 | 3.61 | 1400 | 4 | 24.0 | 4.5 | 3.79 | 2.05 | 104 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 611 | 152 | 78 | 60 | 4.01 | 1300 | 5 | 27.0 | 4.06 | 3.63 | 2.14 | 79 |
| Average | 665 | 185 | 66 | 57 | 3.6 | 1411 | 3.9 | 25.8 | 4.23 | 3.64 | 2.09 | 113 |
Farm walk with Tim and Mary Leader
A farm walk took place on the farm of Tim and Mary Leader, Rathcoole, Co. Cork. The event was held as part of the Teagasc/Dairygold Joint Programme, with support from Cork East Advisory staff.
The theme of the walk was ‘Steps to Success: Actions for Profitable Dairying’ and it highlighted the progress Tim and his family have made over recent years as a Signpost Demonstration Farm.
Tim’s daughter Aoife, a researcher in farmland biodiversity at UCC, also contributed to the event by sharing insights into biodiversity-enhancing actions undertaken on the farm.
May 23rd
| Farmer | Location | AFC (Kgs DM/ha) | Cover /cow | Growth (kg DM /ha/day) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Pre-grazing yield (Kgs DM/ha) | Kgs Meal/cow | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 | Date Start breeding | # days breeding on 21st May | % cows submitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 675 | 190 | 55 | 57 | 3.55 | 1600 | 4 | 25.0 | 4.55 | 3.59 | 2.10 | 65 | 25th Apr | 27 | 99 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 646 | 171 | 46 | 61 | 3.78 | 1400 | 4 | 25.4 | 3.94 | 3.52 | 1.95 | 78 | 5th May | 17 | 65 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 525 | 160 | 35 | 59 | 3.27 | 1600 | 4.5 | 24.5 | 4.72 | 3.63 | 2.11 | 107 | 1st May | 21 | 94 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 830 | 232 | 62 | 61 | 3.58 | 1700 | 3 | 25.4 | 4.09 | 3.61 | 2.01 | 106 | 23rd Apr | 29 | 98 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 704 | 202 | 58 | 59 | 3.49 | 1350 | 2.5 | 26.5 | 4.32 | 3.68 | 2.18 | 163 | 1st May | 21 | 85 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 753 | 196 | 56 | 62 | 3.85 | 1550 | 3 | 24.3 | 3.92 | 3.56 | 1.87 | 79 | 9th May | 13 | |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 559 | 154 | 32 | 57 | 3.64 | 1300 | 3.5 | 25.0 | 4.31 | 3.6 | 2.04 | 78 | 29th Apr | 23 | 95 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 753 | 198 | 52 | 63 | 3.81 | 1600 | 2.5 | 25.5 | 4.07 | 3.48 | 1.98 | 157 | 30th Apr | 22 | 90 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 743 | 206 | 48 | 61 | 3.61 | 1400 | 3 | 23.0 | 4.54 | 3.75 | 1.96 | 115 | 25th Apr | 27 | 98 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 754 | 188 | 62 | 64 | 4.01 | 1500 | 4 | 24.8 | 3.97 | 3.58 | 1.93 | 100 | 29th Apr | 23 | 96 |
| Average | 694 | 190 | 51 | 60 | 3.7 | 1500 | 3.4 | 24.9 | 4.24 | 3.60 | 2.01 | 105 | 22.3 | 91 |
May 16th
| Farmer | Location | AFC (Kgs DM/ha) | Cover /cow | Growth (kg DM /ha/day) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Pre-grazing yield (Kgs DM/ha) | Kgs Meal/cow | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 | Date Start breeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 702 | 198 | 56 | 57 | 3.55 | 1900 | 4 | 27.3 | 4.3 | 3.61 | 2.22 | 62 | 25th Apr |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 792 | 210 | 57 | 61 | 3.78 | 1600 | 4 | 24.6 | 3.96 | 3.5 | 1.89 | 63 | 5th May |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 688 | 210 | 49 | 59 | 3.27 | 1600 | 1.8 | 26.1 | 4.49 | 3.74 | 2.21 | 116 | 1st May |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 811 | 227 | 63 | 61 | 3.58 | 1600 | 3 | 27.3 | 3.96 | 3.59 | 2.12 | 89 | 23rd Apr |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 722 | 179 | 64 | 73 | 4.03 | 1650 | 2 | 27.5 | 4.16 | 3.6 | 2.20 | 110 | 1st May |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 810 | 222 | 64 | 62 | 3.65 | 1600 | 3 | 25.6 | 3.81 | 3.57 | 1.95 | 76 | 9th May |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 629 | 174 | 60 | 61 | 3.62 | 1700 | 2.5 | 27.0 | 4.07 | 3.62 | 2.14 | 79 | 29th Apr |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 796 | 209 | 71 | 61 | 3.81 | 1700 | 3 | 27.0 | 3.89 | 3.51 | 2.06 | 142 | 30th Apr |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 744 | 202 | 56 | 62 | 3.68 | 1600 | 3 | 23.8 | 4.47 | 3.76 | 2.02 | 99 | 25th Apr |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 704 | 176 | 71 | 68 | 4.01 | 1650 | 3 | 26.2 | 3.76 | 3.52 | 1.96 | 81 | 29th Apr |
| Average | 740 | 201 | 61 | 63 | 3.7 | 1660 | 2.9 | 26.2 | 4.09 | 3.60 | 2.08 | 92 |
May 9th
| Farmer | Location | AFC (Kgs DM/ha) | Cover /cow | Growth (kg DM /ha/day) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Pre-grazing yield (Kgs DM/ha) | Kgs Meal/cow | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 | Date Start breeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 733 | 206 | 82 | 62 | 3.55 | 1550 | 2.5 | 27.3 | 4.52 | 3.54 | 2.27 | 47 | 25th Apr |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 746 | 201 | 65 | 67 | 3.72 | 1500 | 2 | 24.6 | 4.06 | 3.57 | 1.93 | 105 | 5th May |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 686 | 210 | 55 | 56 | 3.27 | 1500 | 2 | 26.1 | 4.78 | 3.64 | 2.26 | 119 | 1st May |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 27.3 | 4.02 | 3.52 | 2.12 | 107 | 23rd Apr | |||||||
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 819 | 203 | 77 | 73 | 4.03 | 1550 | 2 | 27.5 | 4.32 | 3.62 | 2.25 | 125 | 1st May |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 694 | 190 | 80 | 62 | 3.65 | 1650 | 3 | 25.6 | 4.07 | 3.57 | 2.01 | 76 | 9th May |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 705 | 187 | 65 | 65 | 3.77 | 1300 | 2.5 | 27.0 | 4.34 | 3.63 | 2.22 | 93 | 29th Apr |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 669 | 182 | 82 | 59 | 3.67 | 1700 | 3 | 28.0 | 3.96 | 3.52 | 2.16 | 114 | 30th Apr |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 725 | 197 | 84 | 62 | 3.68 | 1450 | 3 | 26.5 | 4.37 | 3.83 | 2.24 | 91 | 25th Apr |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 676 | 169 | 94 | 72 | 4.01 | 1550 | 2 | 26.2 | 4.24 | 3.61 | 2.12 | 143 | 29th Apr |
| Average | 717 | 194 | 76 | 64 | 3.7 | 1528 | 2.4 | 26.6 | 4.27 | 3.61 | 2.16 | 102 |
Farmer Update
Tom O’Connell’s 4 year old Red Clover Silage sward. Photo taken Wednesday 7th of May. This was grazed with heifers in Spring and received 1 bag of 38-0-0-7 in early April. Tom is planning to mow this sward for 1st cut silage towards the end of next week.
Sean Barry has taken out surplus grass for bales.
May 2nd
| Farmer | Location | AFC (Kgs DM/ha) | Cover /cow | Growth (kg DM /ha/day) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Pre-grazing yield (Kgs DM/ha) | Kgs Meal/cow | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 | Date Start breeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 760 | 214 | 93 | 62 | 3.55 | 1540 | 2.5 | 28.0 | 4.35 | 3.55 | 2.28 | 76 | 25th Apr |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 885 | 242 | 81 | 66 | 3.66 | 1400 | 2.5 | 26.5 | 4.09 | 3.63 | 2.11 | 80 | 5th May |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 666 | 204 | 104 | 54 | 3.27 | 1500 | 2.5 | 28.5 | 4.76 | 3.65 | 2.47 | 121 | 1st May |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 852 | 238 | 64 | 61 | 3.58 | 1800 | 3 | 29.0 | 4.17 | 3.48 | 2.29 | 136 | 23rd Apr |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 839 | 213 | 107 | 72 | 3.93 | 1600 | 2 | 29.0 | 4.32 | 3.63 | 2.37 | 123 | 1st May |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 808 | 224 | 68 | 61 | 3.6 | 1550 | 3 | 28.0 | 3.6 | 3.53 | 2.06 | 86 | 9th May |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 614 | 169 | 69 | 63 | 3.63 | 1400 | 2.5 | 28.5 | 4.18 | 3.66 | 2.30 | 56 | 29th Apr |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 592 | 161 | 72 | 59 | 3.67 | 1600 | 3 | 29.0 | 3.94 | 3.55 | 2.24 | 110 | 30th Apr |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 799 | 206 | 104 | 66 | 3.88 | 1400 | 3 | 27.5 | 4.41 | 3.8 | 2.33 | 102 | 25th Apr |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 681 | 170 | 104 | 64 | 4.01 | 1600 | 2.5 | 29.0 | 3.99 | 3.61 | 2.27 | 54 | 29th Apr |
| Average | 750 | 204 | 87 | 63 | 3.7 | 1539 | 2.7 | 28.3 | 4.18 | 3.61 | 2.27 | 94 |
Farmer update – Mark Lonergan
Grass
Growth has taking off with over 100 per day in the last 2 grass walks. Having taken out 4 paddocks for silage 2 weeks ago Mark has another 1 taken this week. It is important to keep on top of grass at the moment to keep pre-grazing yields at 1400 & avoid having to take too many paddocks out for bales at the same time.
Breeding
Breeding started on the 1st May with the cows. Mark has 2 cows to check that are calved more than 40 days and haven’t shown in heat. Maiden heifers started a Fixed time AI synchronisation programme on the 30th of April. The plan is to give one sexed straw and follow with Beef AI. This year Mark has no bull as he felt it was very expensive for the 3 or so calves from him in previous years.’
14th April 2025
| Farmer | Location | AFC | Cover /cow | Growth Rate/ Ha | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Date start 2nd Rotation | Kgs Meal | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 774 | 232 | 50 | 58 | 3.34 | 04-Apr | 3 | 29.8 | 4.32 | 3.47 | 2.39 | 49 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 822 | 251 | 51 | 52 | 3.27 | 08-Apr | 4 | 27.5 | 4.09 | 3.51 | 2.15 | 106 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 675 | 206 | 46 | 50 | 3.27 | 03-Apr | 3.6 | 29.5 | 4.46 | 3.7 | 2.48 | 160 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 848 | 249 | 35 | 44 | 3.41 | 09-Apr | 5 | 29.5 | 4.11 | 3.54 | 2.32 | 175 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 830 | 226 | 46 | 64 | 3.67 | 03-Apr | 2 | 28.5 | 4.01 | 3.62 | 2.24 | 173 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 729 | 242 | 30 | 48 | 3.01 | 07-Apr | 3 | 28.0 | 4.02 | 3.51 | 2.17 | 72 |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 788 | 231 | 41 | 53 | 3.41 | 09-Apr | 3 | 29.3 | 4.13 | 3.62 | 2.34 | 79 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 782 | 223 | 64 | 53 | 3.51 | 14-Apr | 3.5 | 29.5 | 4.04 | 3.45 | 2.28 | 190 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 863 | 249 | 48 | 55 | 3.46 | 06-Apr | 3.5 | 28.0 | 4.36 | 3.68 | 2.32 | 121 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 753 | 200 | 66 | 60 | 3.77 | 10-Apr | 4 | 28.1 | 3.99 | 3.5 | 2.17 | 57 |
| Average | 786 | 231 | 48 | 54 | 3.4 | 07-Apr | 3.4 | 28.8 | 4.15 | 3.56 | 2.29 | 118 |
Demonstration farmer Update
Cows are milking very well for mid April. Growth is almost equalling demand on farms at this stage allowing the ration to be reduced a little.
Sean Moher is hosting a farm walk this Thursday 17th April at 11 am. We will review progress on the farm over the last 7 years and discuss the challenges in adapting to changing conditions. All are welcome to attend.
5 April 2025
| Farmer | Location | AFC | Cover/cow | Growth Rate/ Ha | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | Date start 2nd Rotation | Kgs Meal | Kgs Silage | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 851 | 255 | 51 | 60 | 3.34 | 04-Apr | 3 | 0 | 28.9 | 4.2 | 3.46 | 2.28 |
| Tim O’Riordan* | Mourneabbey | 700 | 234 | 41 | 18 | 2.99 | 08-Apr | 6 | 8 | 26.0 | 4.04 | 3.49 | 2.01 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 658 | 210 | 49 | 42 | 3.13 | 03-Apr | 4.5 | 0 | 30.2 | 4.59 | 3.59 | 2.54 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 903 | 275 | 24 | 30 | 3.28 | 09-Apr | 5 | 1 | 29.3 | 4.28 | 3.42 | 2.32 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 936 | 255 | 51 | 64 | 3.67 | 03-Apr | 3 | 0 | 28.0 | 4.2 | 3.53 | 2.23 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 802 | 282 | 48 | 45 | 2.84 | 07-Apr | 3 | 0 | 26.5 | 4.01 | 3.39 | 2.02 |
| Sean Moher* | Mitchelstown | 723 | 222 | 31 | 33 | 3.26 | 10-Apr | 4 | 4.5 | 28.5 | 4.18 | 3.56 | 2.27 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 727 | 207 | 24 | 32 | 3.51 | 15-Apr | 4.2 | 0 | 29.6 | 4.15 | 3.47 | 2.32 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 813 | 238 | 51 | 46 | 3.42 | 06-Apr | 5 | 0 | 27.5 | 4.64 | 3.57 | 2.33 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 700 | 196 | 35 | 47 | 3.58 | 10-Apr | 4 | 0 | 29.9 | 3.88 | 3.51 | 2.28 |
| Average | 781 | 237 | 41 | 42 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 28.4 | 4.22 | 3.50 | 2.26 | ||
| * Plus Zero grazing grass from silage ground | |||||||||||||
28 March 2025
| Farmer | Location | AFC | Growth Rate/ Ha (1 wk) | Demand (kg DM /ha/day) | Stocking rate (LU/ha) | % grazed (28th Mar) | Kgs Meal | Kgs Silage | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh* | Ballylooby | 922 | 39 | 53 | 2.3 | 81% | 4 | 0 | 28.9 | 4.36 | 3.32 | 2.28 | 50 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 501 | 32 | 18 | 2.9 | 85% | 6 | 8 | 25.0 | 4.12 | 3.3 | 1.91 | 133 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 667 | 30 | 31 | 3.1 | 87% | 5 | 3 | 27.8 | 4.69 | 3.43 | 2.33 | 176 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 903 | 24 | 30 | 3.3 | 80% | 5 | 4 | 27.5 | 4.29 | 3.26 | 2.14 | 150 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 686 | 33 | 31 | 3.6 | 75% | 6 | 0 | 26.5 | 4.41 | 3.42 | 2.14 | 155 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 817 | 30 | 38 | 3.1 | 63% | 4 | 2 | 26.0 | 4 | 3.29 | 1.95 | 54 |
| Sean Moher** | Mitchelstown | 652 | 32 | 28 | 2.8 | 77% | 5 | 3 | 27.2 | 4.17 | 3.5 | 2.15 | 231 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 768 | 19 | 25 | 3.2 | 60% | 6 | 5 | 27.5 | 4.27 | 3.29 | 2.14 | 143 |
| Tom O’Connell** | Inniscarra | 664 | 30 | 32 | 3.2 | 80% | 5 | 4 | 27.5 | 4.81 | 3.46 | 2.34 | 112 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 685 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 70% | 6 | 6 | 28.0 | 4.2 | 3.28 | 2.16 | 94 |
| Average | 727 | 28 | 30 | 3 | 76% | 5.2 | 3.5 | 27.2 | 4.33 | 3.36 | 2.15 | 130 |
*AFC includes silage ground currently being grazed
**Plus Zero grazing grass from silage ground
Demonstration farmers Update
The decent weather conditions are allowing for excellent grazeouts again this week, 
but AFC is still low. It’s important to hold the rotation for a bit longer. The first grazed paddocks have covers of 600-1100 which still need time to get a number of paddocks to 1200-1300 for starting the 2nd round.
As said last week growth can improve quickly and we may be able to get more grass into cows by next weekend.
Picture on right shows the first grazed paddock (1st week Feb) on Jimmy Cotters farm with a cover of 1100 kgs/Dm/ha. Picture on left shows Joe Morrissey’s heifers out on grass since mid March.
17 March 2025
| Farmer | Location | AFC | Growth Rate/ Ha (1-2 wks) | % grazed (17th Mar) | Kgs Meal | Kgs Silage | % cows Calved | Litres | Fat % | Prot % | Kgs MS/cow | SCC ‘000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh* | Ballylooby | 884 | 17 | 59% | 4 | 2.5 | 97% | 27.2 | 4.4 | 3.32 | 2.16 | 38 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 405 | 14 | 50% | 6 | 8 | 75% | 24 | 4.28 | 3.53 | 1.93 | 162 |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 774 | 21 | 63% | 5 | 5 | 92% | 28 | 4.72 | 3.49 | 2.37 | 192 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 852 | 16 | 53% | 5 | 4 | 85% | 27.4 | 4.45 | 3.2 | 2.16 | 140 |
| Mark Lonergan* | Rosegreen | 765 | 10 | 60% | 6 | 3 | 90% | 27 | 4.41 | 3.48 | 2.19 | 178 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 688 | 10 | 40% | 4 | 6 | 85% | 25 | 4.04 | 3.52 | 1.95 | 74 |
| Sean Moher** | Mitchelstown | 658 | 6 | 59% | 5 | 1.5 | 85% | 25.6 | 4.43 | 3.48 | 2.09 | 128 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 648 | 8 | 40% | 6 | 6 | 85% | 28 | 4.39 | 3.31 | 2.22 | 205 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 864 | 12 | 59% | 5 | 2 | 96% | 26 | 4.67 | 3.46 | 2.18 | 153 |
| Raymond Goggin* | Templemartin | 742 | 13 | 50% | 5 | 5 | 89% | 27.5 | 4.23 | 3.43 | 2.17 | 103 |
| Average | 728 | 13 | 53% | 5.1 | 4.3 | 88% | 27 | 4.40 | 3.42 | 2.14 | 137 |
*AFC includes silage ground currently being grazed
**Plus Zero grazing grass from silage ground.
Demonstration farmers Update:
The fairly dry conditions have allowed for excellent graze outs and grass utilisation over the last few weeks. But low
er than average growth along with lower than planned opening covers has meant that many of the Demo farmers who were out early need to slow down grazing currently. They are mainly achieving this by keeping cows in at night on silage and aiming to hold the planned start of the 2nd rotation until 10th April. The first grazed paddocks have covers of 500-600 which will need time to get to 1200-1300 for starting the 2nd round.
As said last week most of the Demo farms have their 2nd round of fertiliser/slurry out at this stage (20-30 units of Nitrogen per acre currently, depending on how much fertiliser/slurry went out in Jan/Feb). If we get the rise in temperature that is forecast this week growth will improve quickly and we may be able to speed up the rotation again.
Picture shows a clover paddock on Walsh’s farm with a cover of 800kgs/Dm/ha, not grazed yet.
1st March 2025
| Farmer | Location | Closing Cover 1st Dec 2024 | Opening Cover 1st Feb 2025 | Units N/ac | % grazed | Planned start calving | Actual calving start date | % cows Calved | 2023 SCC | 2024 SCC | Diff | Current SCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 652 | 884 | 23 | 19% | 28th Jan | 21st Jan | 84% | 86 | 80 | -6 | 57 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 623 | 20 | 0% | 3rd Feb | 1st Feb | 58% | 134 | 100 | -34 | 414 | |
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 737 | 825 | 22 | 15% | 3rd Feb | 24th Jan | 76% | 162 | 96 | -66 | 169 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 770 | 903 | 23 | 28% | 27th Jan | 22nd Jan | 72% | 220 | 125 | -95 | 228 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 737 | 914 | 20 | 26% | 2nd Feb | 28th Jan | 75% | 118 | 138 | 20 | 160 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 562 | 719 | 19 | 9% | 12th Feb | 6th Feb | 71% | 130 | 136 | 6 | 179 |
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 930 | 1091 | 22 | 15% | 31st Jan | 20th Jan | 60% | 121 | 101 | -20 | 128 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 419 | 572 | 0 | 12% | 2nd Feb | 28th Jan | 77% | 223 | 160 | -63 | 105 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 876 | 1112 | 23 | 15% | 1st Feb | 25th Jan | 85% | 178 | 135 | -43 | 117 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 723 | 767 | 23 | 7% | 31st Jan | 24th Jan | 81% | 206 | 115 | -91 | 228 |
| Average | 712 | 841 | 20 | 15% | 74% | 158 | 119 | -39 | 179 |
Friday 7th February 2025
| Farmer | Location | Cover date | AFC | Overwinter Growth Rate/ Ha | Pre Grazing Yield |
Fat % | Prot % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Walsh | Ballylooby | 29/01 | 884 | 4 | 1450 | 4.76 | 3.73 |
| Tim O’Riordan | Mourneabbey | 31/01 | 623 | 2 | 1500 | ||
| Jimmy Cotter | Coachford | 04/02 | 825 | 2 | 1300 | 5.58 | 4.07 |
| Joe Morrissey | Rostellan | 28/01 | 903 | 2 | 1400 | 4.92 | 3.67 |
| Mark Lonergan | Rosegreen | 01/02 | 914 | 3 | 1400 | 5.51 | 4.22 |
| Sean Barry | Pallasgreen | 29/01 | 719 | 3 | 1550 | ||
| Sean Moher | Mitchelstown | 30/01 | 1091 | 2 | 2000 | 5.26 | 4.04 |
| Tim Leader | Rathcoole | 03/02 | 572 | 2 | 1200 | 5.15 | 3.91 |
| Tom O’Connell | Inniscarra | 05/02 | 1112 | 4 | 1800 | 5.13 | 3.63 |
| Raymond Goggin | Templemartin | 25/01 | 767 | 1 | 1400 | 4.85 | 3.89 |
| Average | 841 | 3 | 1500 | 5.15 | 3.90 |
Demonstration farmers Update
Calving is off to a good start on the demonstration farms with good numbers of cows calved already. Ground conditions are surprisingly good after all the storms we had in January. This has allowed a number of the farmers to get the 2025 grazing season started.
Overwinter growth has been low, so many of the opening covers are behind target at the moment. Where weather and ground conditions allow 2,000 gallons of slurry or 18 units of Protected Urea are being spread per acre on the milking platforms. This will kick start grass growth for February and March.