Preparing the Farm Improvement Plan for the Knowledge

Preparing the Farm Improvement Plan for the Knowledge Transfer Programme Presented By: Noel Feeney B. Agr. Sc. M. A. C. A Venue: Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone 15 th June 2017

Farm Improvement Plan Requirement • • • E-Profit Monitor Breeding Plan Grassland Plan Farm Health and Safety Carbon Navigator (Sheep) Health Plan (Vet)

Preparation Prior to Farm Visit / Consultation • Print-off Farmers 2015/16 BFP application form. This will provide information on owned and leased hectares • Print Farmers 2015 – 2019 Entitlement Data. This could be useful for Profit Monitor Completion • Print the farmers Calving Report from I. C. B. F website • Print / Photocopy a blank Grassland Management Plan, Health & Safety Plan, Sheep Breeding Plan, and a Carbon Navigator • Create a file in your office for each group member as records must be maintained for each year • On Consultation gather all the relevant information required including a copy of their 2015 farm accounts • I would suggest completing the Profit Monitor First

Profit Monitor • Farmer must be signed up to Herd Plus and you must submit a ‘White Farm’ to ICBF, which will allow advisor access to data (Beef) on the ICBF website • Check that all group member’s are listed on the Teagasc e-Profit Monitor website • To commence Beef/Dairy Profit Monitor – Click on farmers name in your list of clients on Teagasc eprofit monitor site – From menu on left-hand side of screen click ‘ Enterprise Profile’ – Remember to set your data sources to ICBF on this page – Tick the save box when all data has been filled and ticked

Profit Monitor • Each farmer has a code beside their name e. g. . S 017582. Write down this number as you will need it for Data Input on ICBF profit monitor site • Log onto the ICBF system… your client follow menu for services / applications. Then click into KT Beef / Diary • Complete ICBF Profit Monitor using farm accounts. Save data under each tab & submit to Teagasc. File will transfer over night • Print out Teagasc Profit Monitor next day

Sample Profit Monitor

Teagasc Profit Monitor

Information Required for the Profit Monitor part of the FIP 1. Grass output / ha € 818 2. Grass margin / ha € 417 3. Variable Costs / ha € 401 4. Variable costs as a % of grass output 50% Note: variable costs = 50% Gross output

Examples of Comments / Recommendations (Based on Profit Monitor) • Examine and decrease Veterinary costs • Examine and decrease Contractor charges • Increase stocking rate and farm output • Cull non-productive cows • Vaccination programme • Reduce Loan Repayments • Prepare a winter feed plan • Reduce leased land if no entitlements on it • Reseed to increase output • Cut meal costs • Any Other Suggestions? Warning – Do not use the % for common costs as % of gross output Common costs are fixed costs minus labour and leasing costs, and not included are Bank Charges Reminder: farmers participating in two sectors in the KT are not required to complete Profit Monitor for their secondary sector

FIP Profit Monitor

Teagasc e-Profit Monitor Analysis

Farm Health & Safety • Complete Template with farmer • On farm visit look at yard / buildings, fragmentation, machinery. Do not be afraid to ask about work procedures • Remember: the top causes of farm accidents are – 1. Human Error – Rushing, Fatigue, Poor Work Organisation 2. Slips / Trips / Falls – Dirty and untidy farmyards 3. Tractor and Farm Machinery 4. Livestock

Farm Health & Safety • When relevant information gathered and in agreement with farmer, type up the advisory template. You will give the farmer a copy and scan it for upload to the on-line system. • Farmers who are participating in two sectors of the KT Programme are not required to complete H & S worksheets for their secondary group.

Health & Safety

Health & Safety recommendations could include: • Install Paddock System – Easier handling & cattle / sheep movements quicker & easier • Install Calving camera • Purchase mobile sheep handling equipment • Build a sheep Shed • Update cattle handling facilities • Follow Animal Health Plan • Tidy up Farm / Repair Buildings • Hire casual Help • Use a Contractor for Silage • Use / Purchase Diet Feeder • Repair Fencing • Install extra drinking troughs • Purchase a new topper • Any Other Suggestions?

Grassland Plan

Grassland Plan Recommendations could include: • • Prepare NMP and take soil samples Improve grass measuring skills Erect temporary paddocks on the out farm Complete a silage analysis each year and prepare a winter feed budget Identify suitable fields for a re-seeding programme Incorporate White Clover in Grazing Swards Spread lime when deficient Any Other Suggestions?

Sheep Breeding Plan and Recommendations

Recommendations For: Mating. Lambing, & Ewe replacements Policy • • • • Any Suggestions? Use Euro Star Rams Selection for terminal and / or replacement Traits Cull Ewes that do not prove in lamb Nutrition Advice Ram and Ewe Management Issues Run the Ewe Lambs as a separate flock Use “easy” lambing Rams. (5 Star for Lambing) Use a teaser Ram 14 days prior to the start of mating, can help to compact the lambing period Scan Ewes and manage according to litter size Weight recording Record number of lambs born Record number of lambs weaned Establish breeding objectives – Terminal V Replacements Aim to replace 20% of Ewe flock each year

Sheep Carbon Navigator

Beef Breeding Plan • Must be completed in the ICBF website • Print a copy for farmer • The breeding plan does not need to be up loaded to FIP except where it is a non breeding plan • Remember you can print Breeding Plan before you press measure complete. You can not print it once it is completed on the FIP

Possible Recommendations for Bef Breeding Plan • Cull older cows with low star ratings • Increase number of heifers calved 22 -26 mths • Increase Beef Output on farm by introducing a Paddock System • Improve Breeding Records • Reduce Calving Interval Days • Purchase a Teaser Bull • Purchase a new 5 Star Bull • Sell current Bull • Sell heifers weanlings with potential low star ratings • Any Further Suggestions?

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