Shane Gleeson
Location: Portnard, Cappamore. Co.Limerick
Farm Size: 40 HA all owned
System: Suckler to weanling
Details:
Shane farms 40 ha of mixed quality land near Cappamore in East Limerick. The farm is split in 2 with 70 acres on the home block and 30 acres on the out block. Approximately 50% of each farm is very dry free draining land with the remainder low lying heavy gley.
The farm currently carries 40 cows, the majority of which are spring calving with progeny sold as weanlings.
As Shane works off farm full time labour efficiency will be a major focus. A tight calving spread is a must on the farm and with stock numbers increasing to increase output, farm infrastructure will have to be improved. The addition of a dairy calf to beef system to complement the suckler herd on the farm will be examined.
Other areas to be addressed will be cow type and weanling weight gain. Improvements have been made on the farm at the programme inception to introduce paddocks and improve soil fertility.
Mandatory Challenges
- Two tonne grass challenge - All farms to aim to increase by 2 Tonne/DM/ha
- Farm finance challenge - Gross margin target €1250/ha on average
- Farm safety challenge - Farms to introduce 2 positive changes annually
Optional Challenges
- Breeding challenge - Increase average replacement value of herd by €20 over course of programme and meet all herd fertility targets
- Soil fertility challenge - Aim for 70% of farm at index 3 P&K. Ph - aim for 6.1 (5.7 on peat soils)
- Labour/structures challenge - Labour use focus/ Drystock farm partnership focus