A unique grazing system that works

If you don’t measure grass you can’t manage it. On this episode of the Beef Edge podcast, suckler farmer Thomas O’Connor from Co. Kildare joins Catherine Egan to give an insight of his farming system.   The farm is run as a partnership by Monica, Tom and their son Thomas. It is a truly mixed farm with four enterprises comprising beef, sheep, tillage and pigs. In 2015, Thomas was the winner of the FBD Young Beef Farmer of the Year Award. The beef enterprise consists of 70 suckler cows with all-male progeny finished as bulls under 16 months and heifers at 21 months, with 200- 300 additional cattle purchased for finishing. The unique feature of this farm is the way the O`Connors paddock graze the cattle in large groups during the grazing season. This is the first year AI was used and Thomas gives an insight into how it went. Grassland management is excellent with all the farm laid out in 2 ha (5 acres) paddocks, with the provision for subdivision of all paddocks.   Thomas will feature as part of the Irish Grassland Association Virtual Beef event from 27th- 29th July 2020 along with beef farmers Tom Halpin, Co. Meath & Paul Turley Co. Down on the Irish Grassland Association social media channels: Facebook.com/Irish Grassland Association and Twitter @IrishGrassland.   For further details click HERE   For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge