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This article will outline the key factors that influence the profitability of suckler beef systems in Ireland. It has been adapted from a reproduced report courtesy of Teagasc.

Reseeding an existing ley can lead to a significant return on investment. Within several years ‘weed grasses’ will ingress into a sward – particularly if the field has experienced poaching or after a hard winter. These ‘weed grasses’ have poor quality characteristics compared to ryegrass varieties from the Recommended List. These include poor digestibility and a poorer response to fertiliser, as well as not converting to meat and milk as efficiently as ryegrass.

Grazing is about to increase as the spring approaches, making it time to think about how we use supplementary feed to make the most of grazed grass.
With grass the cheapest feed available to cows, any kind of supplementation must complement, not restrict, grazing – balancing limitations in grass to improve on farm margins.