Reseeding, drainage, and fodder event in Kanturk

A RESEEDING, drainage and fodder budgeting event is being held next Thursday, July 12, at 11am on Thomas Carver’s farm in Gurrane, Dromagh, Kanturk.

The event aims to showcase the effects that good reseeding and drainage can have on your farm, particularly in what has been a challenging year to date.

The event will focus on choosing the right grass mix to suit your system, and how to correctly manage reseeds, such as lime, fertiliser, pest and weed control

It will also cover best practice in pesticide use for controlling rushes and preserving water quality, as well as drainage options for farms, and forage budgeting and coping with drought.

Speakers on the day will be from Teagasc, Goldcrop, Agritech, Irish Water and Cork County Council.

Currently, many farms are being affected by drought conditions. Advice for farmers is as follows:

Ensure you have enough water for stock through having adequate trough capacity and correct pipe sizes. Milking cows may require up to 200 litres a day. Assess grass growth rates and balance with feed demand per day. Don’t graze more than 25 per cent of the farm per week.

Fertiliser can still be applied at pre-grazing or on green cover.Reduce grass demand by feeding up to six kilogrammes of concentrates per day, plus silage to stock (typically 33 per cent grass, 33 per cent concentrates, and 33 per cent silage). Strategic selling and finishing of surplus/lower productivity stock to reduce feed demand.

Observe animals for evidence of heat stress. Beware of depletion of winter feed stocks; 30 days’ feeding of silage will reduce winter feed stocks by 15 to 20 per cent. Provide a third of feed as straight supplements, where necessary, to conserve silage stocks. Do a fodder budget for next winter, and buy feed now, if needed.

Farmers should take care in the heat and drink plenty of water; wear a hat and apply sun cream regularly during the day.

Please contact your local Teagasc office to discuss options for your own farm.

All are welcome to attend the event, which will be signposted from the main Mallow-to-Killarney road at the sandpit House Cross roads.

This is a knowledge transfer-approved beef, sheep and dairy event.