Tom
Nunan
Dairy Farmer
Tom Nunan is a dairy farmer from Co. Wexford in South East Ireland. He graduated from University College Dublin in 1991 with a degree in Agricultural Science and worked as a nutritionist for Glanbia, Irelands’ largest dairy processor until 2000. During this time (in 1997) Tom graduated from Reading University with a Masters degree in Dairy Animal Science. He then joined Richard Keenan and Co. as a mixed ration and grassland specialist before returning to the home farm in 2001. His main focus is on grass based spring milk production taking all progeny to beef.
Forum outline
Presentation (Morning - Dairy)
This will highlight the benefits of grass monitoring and budgeting in driving production of milk solids/hectare, milk protein % and ultimately profit. Concepts such as grass cover targets and the ‘grass wedge’ will be outlined so that grass can be included in the diet for longer periods and reduce reliance on conserved forages and concentrates.
Presentation (Afternoon - Beef)
Highlight the benefits of grass monitoring and budgeting in managing beef production from grass for short and medium-term finishers and the impact compensatory growth has on output. Concepts such as grass cover targets so grass can be included in the diet for longer periods, especially for the Suckler Cow reducing reliance on conserved forages and concentrates.
Demonstration
This will involve physical cutting and weighing of grass and measuring dry matter content to accurately determine the quantity of grass available. Regular farm walking will be encouraged to ‘eyeball’ grass and various coping strategies to manage grass efficiently will be discussed.
