Cathal McAleer

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Cathal McAleer - Author - Agriland.ie

Cathal McAleer is a grassland consultant working with individual farmers and facilitating discussion groups throughout Ireland. 087 160 2491 / 0044 7749 531679

Grass advice: Building grass for the autumn well under way

Grass

Grass advice: Building grass for the autumn well under way

Building grass for autumn is now well underway; however ground conditions are deteriorating after prolonged heavy rainfall in many areas....
Grass advice: Decisions with the final round of fertiliser

Grass

Grass advice: Decisions with the final round of fertiliser

Deciding which fertiliser to use at this time of the year will depend on soil fertility and previous fertiliser used...
Grass advice: Building begins for autumn

Grass

Grass advice: Building begins for autumn

Grassland management in August has a huge impact on financial performance during the autumn period. It is vital to carry...
Difficult conditions affect grass growth and silage making

Grass

Difficult conditions affect grass growth and silage making

Constant rain showers have led to great difficulty in getting first cut silage harvested, while grass growth in many areas...
Silage quality key if producing more milk this autumn

Grass

Silage quality key if producing more milk this autumn

Spring milk producers wanting to maximise milk from grazed grass, must also maximise silage quality, as there is often an need...
Grass advice: Dealing with low growth and stem

Grass

Grass advice: Dealing with low growth and stem

Despite cold weather growth rates have improved slightly this week, depending on farm fertility and location. It is crucial that...
Cold and wet weather takes its toll on breeding and grass growth

Grass

Cold and wet weather takes its toll on breeding and grass growth

With soil temperature at 9 degrees and over 30mm of rain this week, it is far from an idyllic start...
Key tips to maximise growth rates from calves fed powder milk

Dairy

Key tips to maximise growth rates from calves fed powder milk

I’ve often heard that calves don’t perform too well on milk powder compared to full milk, and I just don’t...
Mild weather helps grass growth rates (no surplus’ yet though)

Grass

Mild weather helps grass growth rates (no surplus’ yet though)

The mild weather has kept grass growth rates above demand, but there are no surplus’ on most farms as yet....
Good grass utilisation is essential now cows are going back on grass

Dairy

Good grass utilisation is essential now cows are going back on grass

What a difference a few days of dry weather makes. Ground conditions are now very good, allowing for good grass...
February proves difficult month to meet grazing targets

Dairy

February proves difficult month to meet grazing targets

February has been a challenging month for farmers to meet their grazing targets. Many may have targeted to have 30%...
Make sure cows are hungry when you let them out to grass

Dairy

Make sure cows are hungry when you let them out to grass

Spring is officially upon us with calving under way and grazing has started across the country. It has been a...
Grass advice for mid October – plan from here?

Dairy

Grass advice for mid October – plan from here?

We are now a few weeks into closing paddocks, those closed within the next week are the paddocks we will...
Latest autumn grass management advice

Dairy

Latest autumn grass management advice

Autumn rotation planner is now in full swing and some farmers are now wondering how they are going to manage...
Closing grass paddocks early reduces grazing ability

Dairy

Closing grass paddocks early reduces grazing ability

Peak autumn build up is approaching and pre-grazing covers are reaching 2,000kg/ha and above, as a result. Grass at these...
Avoiding early grass deficits this autumn

Dairy

Avoiding early grass deficits this autumn

As the good weather and excellent ground conditions continue, it is easy to forget that autumn is nearing and grass...
Weekly grass measurement needed to hit targets

Dairy

Weekly grass measurement needed to hit targets

As we near the end of August, growth rates are beginning to drop. Weekly grass measurement is needed to ensure...
Negative effect of focusing on milk price

Dairy

Negative effect of focusing on milk price

Milk price is seldom mentioned on our farm as the sole aim of the business is to operate at low...