Performing BETTER on Tomas O’ Leary's Farm
Although Tomas O'Leary, BETTER Sheep Farmer, Co. Kerry, has reduced fertiliser nitrogen applications by 25% in 2022, he has so far grown more grass than in previous years. Michael Gottstein, Head of Sheep KT, Teagasc discusses sheep performance, grass, silage and overall progress on the farm
Tomas O’Leary, his wife Eileen and children Míchéal, Yvonne and Sinead farm approximately 40 adjusted hectares in two blocks of land in Kerry. Tomas O' Leary is one of two BETTER Sheep Farm Participants in Kerry. The farm currently operates a flock of approximately 270 ewes (212 mature ewes and 56 ewe lambs mated) plus a contract dairy heifer rearing enterprise of 86 Friesian / Jersey cross heifers. The farm is split into two blocks 27km apart.
Grass supply
Grass supply has been very good. Tomas has grown a lot more grass than in previous years despite having reduced fertiliser nitrogen applications by 25%. Up until three weeks ago the farm had grown 1 tonne more of grass dry matter per hectare than last year. However grass growth has slowed down considerably in recent weeks and the current tally is only 300kg dm per hectare ahead of last year. The farm is dry and lack of rain appears to be hampering growth rates. The grass walk carried out on the 19th June showed that for the first time this year that growth dropped below demand (growth rate was 45kg/ha and demand was 58kg/ha). Current days ahead stands at 13 days which is where it should be. Tomas is hoping that grass growth will improve with the forecasted rain.
Silage budget
A silage budget carried out on the farm indicated the need for 600 bales for the coming winter. There was 150 bales left over from the previous winter so that left a requirement of 450 bales. To date approximately 400 bales have been harvested of which 260 were from a dedicated silage cut and the remaining 140 were from paddocks taken out of the grazing rotation. A second cut of silage is due to be harvested mid July with an expected yield of approximately 150 bales which will leave a surplus of approximately 100 bales for the coming winter.
Slurry
All the cattle slurry has been spread over the spring time. 100% of slurry was spread using LESS (Trailing Shoe) at a rate of 2,000 gallons per acre. Farmyard manure will be spread on the silage ground after the second cut had been harvested.
Clover
Tomas, over-sowed 5 acres (2 Ha) with Coolfin white clover at a rate of 3kg per acre (7.5kg/ha) after a silage cut. Clover seed emergence was quite good, however recent dry conditions appear to be hampering the seedlings.
Sheep performance
Ten lambs have been drafted to date, these lambs killed out at 47.4% and averaged €164.30 prior to deductions at a price of €8.30/kg. At the time of writing another 18 lambs are ready to be drafted. All lambs will be weaned around 1st July and weaned lambs will be moved onto a paddock containing a multispecies sward. This multispecies sward was sown four years ago and now consists of predominantly plantain and perennial ryegrass. The chicory and most of the white clover has not persisted. Currently lambs are on a grass diet (except for pet lambs and lambs being reared by ewe lambs). Once weaning takes place Tomas will set up a finishing group of lambs that are over 38kg and these will be offered 300 grams of concentrate per day in addition to good grass until finished. As lambs are drafted out of this group more lambs over 38kg from the grass fed group will be added.
Replacements
Approximately 60 ewe lambs will be selected as replacements at weaning time. Ewe lambs will be selected based on liveweight and the performance history of their dam. In effect Tomas will be keeping the best ewe lambs from the best performing ewes.
Flock Health
Lamb worm burdens are being checked on a fortnightly basis using faecal egg counts. The most recent egg count came back at 200 egg per gram (strongyle) which indicates that a treatment is not necessary. To date lambs have only received two nematodirus treatments which consisted of benzimidazole (white wormer). Approximately three quarters of the lambs were treated with CLIK extra in early May with the more forward lambs being treated with Clikzin to control blowfly strike. Mature ewes were shorn in early May as Tomas has a problem with ewes going on their backs in the spring time. All hogget ewes were shorn middle of June.
Signpost Sheep Farmer
Tomas is one of the demonstration farmers in the Signpost Programme. His farm is involved in adopting practices to reduce gaseous emissions and nutrient losses, manage and enhance biodiversity and reduce costs.
Find out more about the farm of Tomás O’Leary
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