20 August 2024
Top grassland manager and contract rearer to host farm walk
Galway farmer, Billy Gilmore was last April awarded the Drystock Grassland Farmer of the Year at the Grass10 Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards. John Kilboyle, B&T Drystock Advisor at Teagasc Galway/Clare, previews an upcoming farm walk to be held in recognition of this award.
Billy will host a farm walk on Tuesday, August 27 at 6.30pm. Billy operates a contract heifer rearing system, rearing over 200 heifers a year. The system has changed over the years, moving from a mixed system of an autumn-calving suckling system, a spring-lambing flock and tillage enterprise.
Billy explained: ‘‘I took over the farm at the age of 15 and shortly after, I remember I cycled to my first farm walk. The discussion back then was around the principle of growing grass in three weeks and grazing it in three days, setting up paddocks and applying lime. Fast forward 50 years and the principles are still the same that drive the success of any farm system.”
Billy and Anne Gilmore from Co. Galway, winner of the Drystock Category of the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year Awards, receiving the award from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD. Also pictured is John Kilboyle Teagasc.
A focus on soil fertility
Increasing grass growth on the farm has been possible by carrying out regular soil sampling. This has helped identify paddocks that are below target for soil pH and that are index 1 and 2 for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
Over the years, Billy has applied lime to paddocks where needed, slurry to paddocks being index 1 and 2 for P and K, and compound fertiliser to the remaining paddocks.
In 2023, following the most recent soil samples, Billy applied 68t of lime and additional K in the form of MOP 50% K was targeted to low K index soils at an application rate of 1 x 50kg bag/acre.
Keeping on top of soil fertility on the farm has been a key driver of grass growth. The farm grew 12t DM/ha in 2023. Additionally, the soil fertility focus has been key in the successful establishment and maintenance of white clover in the grass clover swards on the farm.
Embracing technologies
Billy has always been an advocate for measuring grass and has been involved in local discussion groups and programmes over the years. Grass measuring has allowed Billy to focus on producing quality grass. Silage quality has always been important on the farm.
Billy has always been very open to trying new technologies and adopting practices such as reseeding and establishing and managing clover which benefit grassland management and fertiliser use on the farm. His flexible approach is very much needed dealing with grass throughout the seasons – from severe rainfall to drought.
Farm walk topics
On the evening, Billy will give an overview of his farm system and performance. He will discuss his soil fertility journey and lessons he has learned. Teagasc’s Grass10 team will offer advice on the top tips around clover establishment, management and scoring. Grazing infrastructure on the farm will be in the spotlight and how this has played a key role in maximising grass utilisation. Billy will describe how he grew 12t DM/ha of grass and utilised it, along with the challenges he has faced this year – like many farmers across the country.
Finally, on the day, there will be demonstration on the field that Billy reseeded earlier this year. This will focus on how it was reseeded and managed since.
The Grass10 Campaign is supported by: the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; AIB; Grassland Agro; FBD; Irish Farmers Journal; and Teagasc.
Billy commented: ‘‘I am over 50 years farming and I am still trying to improve grassland management on the farm. I have always had an interest in growing grass and maximising its utilisation. While I introduced paddocks decades ago, I have decreased the size of the paddocks further. While farmers in the west are used to challenging weather conditions, this year has caused huge pressure on farms. I look forward to welcoming farmers on the evening.”
The farm walk takes place on Tuesday, August 27 at 6:30pm on the farm of Billy Gilmore, Cortoon, Tuam, Co. Galway. Eircode: H54 AP28.
More details on this event are available here.
Find out more about the Grass10 Campaign here.