Joe Farrell

Farmer Profile: Joe Farrell

Castledermot, Co. Kildare

Teagasc Adviser: Christy Watson

Joe is farming 30ha of grassland and also has a tillage enterprise on the farm. He rears 100 Angus heifers each year and slaughters them out of the shed at 20-22 months. Calves are bought from the marts in the South. Joe has great passion and enthusiasm for farming and this can be clearly seen in his yard and sheds. His yard is kept very clean at all times and this attention to detail can be seen in his attitude to the type of cattle he produces. His heifers go to grass in early spring so they can gain as much weight from grass as possible. Joe has also a tillage enterprise on the farm and he grows his own grain and maize for finishing.

The plan for Joe in the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme is to measure grass, increase grass utilisation, increase stocking rate, therefore improving output on the farm. He intends to increase output but keep the variable costs static so as to put more money in his pocket. Joe is highly stocked and wants to drive on grassland production. He is an ideal candidate for the calf to beef programme and with the help of the programme adviser will hit all the targets set out for him.