Sean Power

Address: Clomantagh, Woodsgift, Co. Kilkenny

Farm Size: 119 ha (27 Ha rented)

Soil type: Elton soil series (Fine loam drifts with limestone) - Free draining farm suitable for early turn-out in spring

Farming system: Trading heifer finishing system with mid-season ewe lambing flock and store lamb finishing eneterprise

Farm plan: Sean is one of two farmers operating a trading finishing system in the BETTER Farm Programme. The main objective on this farm is to increase the number of animals slaughtered each year. Sean plans on slaughtering up to 450 heifers by the end of the programme. Grassland management will play a key role to help manage the increased stocking rate at grass and increase animal performance during the grazing season. More heifers are now being finished during the winter period to allow more heifers pass through the system. The profitability of this system is largely affected by the purchase price of an animal and the production costs.

This farm will aim to demonstrate an efficient grass based purchased beef heifer finishing system.