Billy Gilmore, Grass10 Grassland Farmer of the Year Drystock category winner explains his farm system

The Beef Edge

Billy Gilmore, Grass10 Grassland Farmer of the Year Drystock category winner, is on this week’s Beef Edge podcast to discuss his farm system and grassland management on his farm. In recognition of the award, Billy will host a farm walk on Tuesday, 27th August @ 6.30pm.

Billy, along with his wife Anne, operates a contract heifer rearing system rearing over 200 heifers a year. The system has changed over the years, from a mixed system, an autumn-calving suckling system, a spring-lambing flock and tillage enterprise.

‘‘I took over the farm at the age of 15,” Billy explains. “And shortly after, I remember I cycled to my first farm walk. The discussion back then was around the principle of growing grass in three weeks and grazing it in three days, setting up paddocks and applying lime. Fast forward 50 years and the principles are still the same that drive the success of any farm system.”

Billy outlines how he has managed grass on the farm this year and is now building covers for the autumn. Quality silage is important to the system as well as the inclusion of clover to reduce fertiliser input.

Pic: Independent.ie

For further details on the upcoming walk go to:

https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grassland-events/

For more episodes from the Beef Edge podcast, visit the show page at:
https://www.teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

Produced on behalf of Teagasc by LastCastMedia.com