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Technical Bulletin The role of the fertiliser spreader is often under estimated in the delivery of fertilisers (N, P & K) as evenly and as accurately as possible. Fertilisers are a significant cost in grassland and tillage farming systems, representing between 20 to 30% of total production costs for either a cereal or grass silage crop. There are many steps involved in determining the actual rate of fertiliser from soil sampling to preparing a fertiliser plan. To profit from fertiliser planning it is essential that fertilisers are applied precisely and accurately. There are a number of factors to consider before spreading fertiliser such as: 1. Selecting the correct machine for the bout width and fertiliser to be used 2. Using good quality fertiliser 3. Correct setting of the machine Technical bulletin No. 3 produced by the Fertilizer Association of Ireland in conjunction with Teagasc identifies the steps to consider for the precise application of fertilisers to optimise farm profitability and sustainability.

peer-reviewed Water-quality in many rivers remains poor and needs to be improved. Diffuse pollution continues to cause difficulties. Some instruments are available which can monitor pollution of rivers from land. They allow measurement and sampling of overland flow (OLF), but they do not offer the precision required (proportional sampling and samples 0.1% of OLF). A laboratory unit was constructed to mimic instrument performance in the field. This was used to test three sampler designs. A V-notch weir was used in the first sampler and a Sutro weir in the second and third as this unit possessed a proportional discharge to head ratio, which the Vnotch weir did not have. Other parameters investigated included ground slope, sampler slope, pipe size and port location. The remaining issues of nozzle size (0.7, 1.0 and 2.0 mm), the number of 1.0 mm nozzles and the effect of aspiration were investigated. The arrangement with the Sutro weir and three 1.0 mm nozzles in series gave proportional discharge and the target low sampling rate of 0.1%. This will allow the calculation of sediment and chemical losses for the monitored area and will put the loss in context with other losses in a catchment.

This study aimed to determine short term farm responses of Irish dairy farms under climate change. The Irish National Farm Survey data and Irish weather data were the main datasets used in this study. A set of simulation models were used to determine grass yields and field time under a baseline scenario and a future climate scenario. An optimising farm level model which maximises farm net income under limiting farm resources was then run under these scenarios. Changes in farm net incomes under the climate change scenario compared to the baseline scenario were taken as a measure to determine the effect of climate change on farms. Any changes in farm activities under the climate run compared to the baseline run were considered as farm’s responses to maximise farm profits. The results showed that there was a substantial increase in yields of grass (49% to 56%) in all regions. The impact of climate change on farms was different based on the regions. Dairy farms in the Border, Midlands and South East regions suffered whereas dairy farms in other regions generally fared better under the climate change scenario. For a majority of farms, a substitution of concentrate feed with grass based feeds and increasing stocking rate were identified as the most common farm responses. However, farms replaced concentrate feed at varying degree. Dairy farms in the Mid East showed a move towards beef production system where medium dairy farms in the South East regions shifted entire tillage land to grass land. Farms in the South East region also kept animals on grass longer under the climate change scenario compared to the baseline scenario. Die Studie quantifiziert kurzfristige Reaktionen irischer Milchviehbetriebe auf den Klimawandel. Ergebnisse des Irish National Farm Survey und irische Wetterdaten sind die wichtigsten Datensätze der Studie. Mehrere Simulationsmodelle werden verwendet, um Erträge und Vegetationsdauer von Grünland in einem Basisszenario und einem Klimaszenario in der Zukunft zu untersuchen. Ein Optimierungsmodell bestimmt das maximale Netto-Betriebseinkommen unter Einhaltung von Faktorbegrenzungen für diese Szenarien. Dessen Änderungen im Klimawandelszenario werden dem Basisszenario gegenübergestellt, um die Auswirkungen zu bestimmen. Die durch das Modell angezeigten Änderungen im Vergleich der Szenarien sind eine Folge der unterstellten Gewinnmaximierung. Die Ergebnisse zeigen in allen Regionen eine deutliche Erhöhung der Grünlanderträge (49% bis 56%). Die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels unterscheiden sich regional. Milchviehbetriebe an der Grenze, im Zentralraum und der Süd-Ost-Region erleiden im Klimawandelszenario Einbußen, während jene in anderen Regionen in der Regel besser abschneiden. In den überwiegenden Fällen reagieren die Betriebe, indem Kraftfutter durch Gras ersetzt wird und die Bestandsdichten erhöht werden. Kraftfutter wird in unterschiedlichem Ausmaß reduziert. Milchviehbetriebe in der Mitte-Ost-Region entwickeln sich in Richtung Rindfleischproduktion, hingegen erfolgt in den Süd-Ost-Regionen eine Umstellung von Acker in Grünland. In der Süd-Ost-Region wird die Dauer der Weidehaltung im Klimawandelszenario gegenüber dem Basisszenario ausgedehnt.

End of Project Report The three separate components with parallel objectives to this programme were to: 1. Develop technologies for conserving and optimally feeding alternative/complimentary feedstuffs to grass silage. 2. Quantify the use and re-use of plastic sheeting or film used to seal ensiled feedstuffs or mulch maize, and evaluate some new options. 3. Develop computer programs that will facilitate investigating prototype models of forage-based beef production systems.

End of Project Report Silage is made on approximately 86% of Irish farms, and 85% of these make some baled silage. Baled silage is particularly important as the primary silage making, storage and feeding system on many beef and smaller sized farms, but is also employed as a secondary system (often associated with facilitating grazing management during mid-summer) on many dairy and larger sized farms (O’Kiely et al., 2002). Previous surveys on farms indicated that the extent of visible fungal growth on baled silage was sometimes quite large, and could be a cause for concern. Whereas some improvements could come from applying existing knowledge and technologies, the circumstances surrounding the making and storage of baled silage suggested that environmental conditions within the bale differed from those in conventional silos, and that further knowledge was required in order to arrive at a secure set of recommendations for baled silage systems. This report deals with the final in a series (O’Kiely et al., 1999; O’Kiely et al., 2002) of three consecutive research projects investigating numerous aspect of the science and technology of baled silage. The success of each depended on extensive, integrated collaboration between the Teagasc research centres at Grange and Oak Park, and with University College Dublin. As the series progressed the multidisciplinary team needed to underpin the programme expanded, and this greatly improved the amount and detail of the research undertaken. The major objective of the project recorded in this report was to develop technologies to improve the “hygienic value” of baled silage. Specifically, the stated aims were to: 1. Characterise the mycobiota on baled silage in Ireland 2. Enhance our understanding of the fermentation kinetics (and the unique combination of factors regulating them) peculiar to baled silage 3. Develop the capability to elucidate the mechanisms of gas entry to and exit from wrapped bales 4. Develop improved plastic and sealing methodologies 5. Identify strategies to successfully produce baled silage with a reduced content of mould and other undesirable micro-organisms.

End of Project Report This present report summaries the findings of the more recent research on baled silage.The contents of this report are presented under the following headings:1. Characteristics of baled silage on Irish farms - a survey 2. Mechanisation in the field 3. Forage and plastic 4. Schzophyllum commune 5. Preventing wildlife damage 6. Growth by cattle