Grassland improvement discussed
Trevor Dunn of Monmurry, Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh has recently been host to his local Fivemiletown Dairy Business Development Group.
At the farm walk, Olwen Gormley, CAFRE group facilitator and Trevor, highlighted recent drainage works on the farm and the group discussed methods of reseeding.
Trevor prefers ploughing and reseeding to introduce new grass varieties and he feels it alleviates any potential soil compaction which can easily arise on wetter land in the West.
This conventional reseeding policy allows him to apply lime on a regular basis to balance soil nutrient requirement with suitable fertiliser.
His dairy herd is kept at grass for as long as possible in an attempt to reduce input costs during a difficult summer with both the weather and prices causing the group concern.
Trevor’s approach to grassland improvement provided another learning stage for his dairy group’s focus on improving milk from forage.