Aidan Maguire – Calf to Beef Enterprise

Calf to Beef Enterprise 

Aidan Maguire farms a calf to beef enterprise alongside his son Luke in Antylstown, Navan, Co. Meath.

Challenges: Consistently maximising profits from a calf to beef system as part of Teagasc Green Acres programme

Farm Advisor: David Argue, local Teagasc Advisor; James Fitzgerald, Teagasc Greenacres & John Douglas, Teagasc Grass10

Signpost Farm Measures Undertaken

Protected Urea

Has reduced proportion of CAN based fertiliser used from 100% in 2018 to 27% in 2020 with no negative impact on grass production. Majority of fertiliser used is now urea and protected ureaBreeding 

Animal Health

Implementing a full vaccination plan for all calves purchased in, with all calves covered for pneumonia, IBR and clostridial diseases from an early stage.

Soil Fertility

56% of the farm is at correct soil fertility for pH, P & K, which is very high compared to the national average of <10%. This was achieved through regular soil sampling every couple of years and implementing fertiliser decisions based on soil analysis results.

Extended Grazing

The 2020 grazing season was 294 days, starting in late January with the on-off grazing of yearling stock and ending with the housing of the same stock in mid-November.

Clover

5 acres of a grass/red clover mix sown earlier this year for continuous silage production. This will reduce the chemical N required to grow the silage needed on the farm.