Dairy Technical
Although not widely used on Irish farms, the use of a fodder crop on farms has increased as a way of reducing the pressure placed on housing.
Could a fodder crop be an option for your farm? These crops are beneficial for animal performance and reduce the stress placed on silage supplies.
Tillage
2020 may well be a bumper year for maize crops. Conditions so far have been favourable, but July and August will hold the key to a good yield.
As farmers prepare for harvest it is essential to think about next season's crops and what options may be available over the autumn months.
Wholecrop silage will no doubt be on many people's minds and may be an attractive option for many - both livestock and tillage farmers.
Beef
With the potential to yield 8-12t/ha of dry matter (DM), farmers may be looking at kale to bolster fodder reserves next winter.
Dairy
Over the last number of years, particularly after last year's drought, the number of farmers growing fodder crops has increased.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has begun inspecting crops planted under the fodder production incentive measure.
