Growing Organics Farm Walk - John O'Hanlon
24 September 2024 24 September 2024Venue John O'Hanlon, Tipper, Ballymahon, Co. Longford
Join us on Tuesday, 24th September at 2pm for a Growing Organics Farm Walk - Suckler to Store on the farm of John O'Hanlon, Tipper, Ballymahon, Co. Longford. Eircode: N39 K0Y8.
About the farm
John O’Hanlon and his family run an organic suckler to store enterprise in Ballymahon, Co. Longford. The farm is currently in year 2 of organic conversion and comprises of 31ha of grassland and 6ha of forestry. John’s main aim after joining organics was to make a genuine attempt at running an efficient and profitable organic suckler enterprise on mixed quality land whilst working full time off farm.
The suckler enterprise comprises of 30 Limousin, Simmental and Hereford cross cows which run with a Charolais bull. The offspring are gradually sold at 15/16 months of age to give cash flow over the summer months.
Some of the changes John has carried out since joining organics involved changing his winter housing to meet the organic standards, some reseeding of old swards with ryegrass and white clover, creating additional paddocks and establishing a red clover silage sward. A lot of work has also been carried out to address soil fertility with liming being the first priority. John has always tried to make high quality silage each year so as to minimise the need for expensive organic ration.