Ross & Amy Jackson
Carlow
Farm plan
Below outline the plan for Ross and Amy Jackson’s farm, a 100% fully converted Organic farm with an equal split of grassland and spring cereals (Oats & Barley) running a mid-season ewe flock.
Breeding
- Target flock size 120 ewes plus 30 ewe lambs
- Increase number of lambs sold / ewe
- Delayed Lambing date to optimise available spring grass
- Incorporating Belclare genetics for sufficient potential replacements
- Increasing BCS of ewes @ mating (Target all ewes >BCS 3.0)
- Continue use of terminal sires (5* terminal index,> -20days to slaughter,>+1% lamb survival)
Grassland
- Weekly Pasture base grass growth measurement / budgeting
- Rotational paddock grassland management
- High emphasis on clover maintenance / establishment
- Introduction of root crops
Nutrition
- Home grown cereals plus purchased organic soya
- High quality clover silage
Health
- Detailed flock health plan as submitted to organic association
General
Overall plan is to have a target stocking rate of 8 ewes / Ha ,increase weaning rate and to finish all lambs off a clover based rotational grassland area with strategic introduction of home grown cereals