Fodder rape and reseeding: the pros, cons, and costs

Outwintering weanlings on fodder rape does a good job on the animals and the soil structure, but it's not all plain sailing. And it's certainly not cheap either. So, is it worth it? I think it is for me, but that doesn't mean it'll suit every farm and every farmer.
In this video, I go thru the costs and timeline for a process that hopefully converts an unproductive field into a self-sufficient feed supply for animals.
That's the theory anyway!

[@BredaRyan-o6q]

Great to see you back Kieran. It has been a very hard summer season on all farmers , it can only get better. Onwards and upwards. Tipperary fan.

[@gerryoconnor8751]

Fair play to you Kieran, great to see you back again, you are making a great, great effort to set up your farm for the future, 70 or 80 cows and you are laughing 😃 😅😅..

[@Hillfarmlamb]

Great video kerian really impressed with your cost breakdown 👍👍where there's muck there money remember that when your moving the fence and feeder 😂😂😂

[@hughcarrigan7824]

Also dont forget to give a.bolus to the animals to protect against iodine deficiencies. Apparently there is no need to give cubes to the cattle as the fodder rape is high in protein.

[@kieranosullivan02]

yes and make sure they don't cough it out straight away either 😅😂😂

[@briansul8455]

Great video Kieran, interesting to see how the numbers crunch out on the outwintering

[@brianm4789]

Great video Kieran
Did you consider spraying the weeds and stitching in the clover or MSS would produce the same result ??

[@sullivansfarm]

It was to out-winter the cattle as much as anything that I started the process, but I wouldn’t rule out a straight reseed in the future. Depends on what’s needed for animals and the farm. And the farmer!

[@brianm4789]

@@sullivansfarm I really agree with your comments on outwintering weanlings, we started it a few years ago and they are definitely healthier and better ready to go when spring grass arrives... Ours have paddock access and access to a bay in the shed to eat silage there so no mucky feeding involved, they spend 90% of time outdoors, low stocking rates protect the ground

[@michaeldoyle6766]

Great stuff, being on top of the figures is very important, you will make a good dairy farmer.

[@DonalKelly-wf1tp]

Use an aerator on the wet field when it dries up

[@patdonnelly4803]

Would you consider 10 or 12 sucklers aswell, your ground and grass looks well, a few sucklers might be a venture ,
Great video again keep them coming

[@daireharlin181]

Good video. Post emergence needed on the grass seed. Or do you not chance it

[@sullivansfarm]

I always use post-emergence but forgot to mention that in the video. It’s €20/acre for the contractor to spray it and €40/acre for clover-safe spray. Another €60acre! Not sure how I forgot that

[@danqualman1]

Have you considered covering the bare spots with some hay and overseas with a broadcast seeder?
Also the area around the round bale feeder if you were to spread hay and seed a day before you move the feeder the cows will eat a little and push the seed into the ground. That way the area will recover faster.
The purchase or rental of a seeder and sprayer would reduce your costs.
Termination of crops can be done with a crimper. Depending on your skills you can make one inexpensively. 17:41

[@petermcmahon8861]

great job , your farm looks very well

[@liamdoherty8253]

Great video, love the way you get into the costs of everything, not many farmers would tell you that, your farm's looking great, keep up the good work. 👍

[@Mr..35..1]

Great video Kieran and very informative, would it be roughly an acre will keep 7 weanlings for 4 months?

[@parishsuffolks924]

Great video

[@lindaarmstrongjackman9788]

That was a great video. We all need s reminder about how much work and $$ farmers must put into the land and the animals in order to produce anything. Thank you Kieran. 👍😊👍

[@patrickbuckley7832]

Have you included the cost of the post emergece spray on the reseeding, thats the expensive one but very important, otherwise you'll have a field of weeds again within two years.

[@sullivansfarm]

Yeah, just replied to another comment re post-emergence spray. It’s another €60/acre. I’m starting to reconsider the cost-benefit now!

[@leslierothwell9951]

Great job rte can close down,😊

[@ranger553]

Good video. Thanks for the info Kieran.

[@gerryryan2142]

Great info

[@pjdoyle5105]

Great video. Thanks

[@jamesfox5245]

Great video

[@paulmalone4587]

Very interesting

[@padraigking5185]

Good stuff

[@Panchdeburca]

Brilliant video, will the 3.5 acres easily hold the 25 weanlings? How many bales with that?

[@sullivansfarm]

I’m budgeting 50-55 bales based on the same plot size last winter