Preparing the Farm Improvement Plan
for the Knowledge Transfer Programme
Presented By: Noel Feeney B.Agr. Sc. M.A.C.A
Venue: Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone
15th June 2017
Farm Improvement Plan Requirement
•
•
•
•
•
•
E-Profit Monitor
Breeding Plan
Grassland Plan
Farm Health and Safety
Carbon Navigator (Sheep)
Health Plan (Vet)
Preparation Prior to Farm Visit /
Consultation
• Print-off Farmers 2015/16 BFP application form. This will provide
information on owned and leased hectares
• Print Farmers 2015 – 2019 Entitlement Data. This could be useful
for Profit Monitor Completion
• Print the farmers Calving Report from I.C.B.F website
• Print / Photocopy a blank Grassland Management Plan, Health &
Safety Plan, Sheep Breeding Plan, and a Carbon Navigator
• Create a file in your office for each group member as records must
be maintained for each year
• On Consultation gather all the relevant information required
including a copy of their 2015 farm accounts
• I would suggest completing the Profit Monitor First
Profit Monitor
• Farmer must be signed up to Herd Plus and you must
submit a ‘White Farm’ to ICBF, which will allow advisor
access to data (Beef) on the ICBF website
• Check that all group member’s are listed on the
Teagasc e-Profit Monitor website
• To commence Beef/Dairy Profit Monitor
– Click on farmers name in your list of clients on Teagasc eprofit monitor site
– From menu on left-hand side of screen click ‘ Enterprise
Profile’
– Remember to set your data sources to ICBF on this page
– Tick the save box when all data has been filled and ticked
Profit Monitor
• Each farmer has a code beside their name e.g..
S017582. Write down this number as you will need
it for Data Input on ICBF profit monitor site
• Log onto the ICBF system… your client follow menu
for services / applications. Then click into KT Beef /
Diary
• Complete ICBF Profit Monitor using farm accounts.
Save data under each tab & submit to Teagasc. File
will transfer over night
• Print out Teagasc Profit Monitor next day
Sample
Profit Monitor
Teagasc Profit
Monitor
Information Required for the Profit
Monitor part of the FIP
1. Grass output / ha
€818
2. Grass margin / ha
€417
3. Variable Costs / ha
€401
4. Variable costs as a % of grass output 50%
Note:
variable costs = 50%
Gross output
Examples of Comments / Recommendations
(Based on Profit Monitor)
• Examine and decrease Veterinary costs
• Examine and decrease Contractor charges
• Increase stocking rate and farm output
• Cull non-productive cows
• Vaccination programme
• Reduce Loan Repayments
• Prepare a winter feed plan
• Reduce leased land if no entitlements on it
• Reseed to increase output
• Cut meal costs
• Any Other Suggestions?
Warning – Do not use the % for common costs as % of gross output
Common costs are fixed costs minus labour and leasing costs, and not
included are Bank Charges
Reminder: farmers participating in two sectors in the KT are not required
to complete Profit Monitor for their secondary sector
FIP Profit Monitor
Teagasc
e-Profit
Monitor
Analysis
Farm Health & Safety
• Complete Template with farmer
• On farm visit look at yard / buildings,
fragmentation, machinery. Do not be afraid to ask
about work procedures
• Remember: the top causes of farm accidents are
–
1. Human Error – Rushing, Fatigue, Poor Work
Organisation
2. Slips / Trips / Falls – Dirty and untidy farmyards
3. Tractor and Farm Machinery
4. Livestock
Farm Health & Safety
• When relevant information gathered and in
agreement with farmer, type up the advisory
template. You will give the farmer a copy and
scan it for upload to the on-line system.
• Farmers who are participating in two sectors
of the KT Programme are not required to
complete H & S worksheets for their
secondary group.
Health & Safety
Health & Safety recommendations
could include:
• Install Paddock System – Easier handling & cattle / sheep movements
quicker & easier
• Install Calving camera
• Purchase mobile sheep handling equipment
• Build a sheep Shed
• Update cattle handling facilities
• Follow Animal Health Plan
• Tidy up Farm / Repair Buildings
• Hire casual Help
• Use a Contractor for Silage
• Use / Purchase Diet Feeder
• Repair Fencing
• Install extra drinking troughs
• Purchase a new topper
• Any Other Suggestions?
Grassland Plan
Grassland Plan Recommendations
could include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Prepare NMP and take soil samples
Improve grass measuring skills
Erect temporary paddocks on the out farm
Complete a silage analysis each year and prepare a
winter feed budget
Identify suitable fields for a re-seeding programme
Incorporate White Clover in Grazing Swards
Spread lime when deficient
Any Other Suggestions?
Sheep Breeding Plan and Recommendations
Recommendations For:
Mating. Lambing, & Ewe replacements Policy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Any Suggestions?
Use Euro Star Rams
Selection for terminal and / or replacement Traits
Cull Ewes that do not prove in lamb
Nutrition Advice
Ram and Ewe Management Issues
Run the Ewe Lambs as a separate flock
Use “easy” lambing Rams. (5 Star for Lambing)
Use a teaser Ram 14 days prior to the start of mating, can help to compact the
lambing period
Scan Ewes and manage according to litter size
Weight recording
Record number of lambs born
Record number of lambs weaned
Establish breeding objectives – Terminal V Replacements
Aim to replace 20% of Ewe flock each year
Sheep Carbon Navigator
Beef Breeding Plan
• Must be completed in the ICBF website
• Print a copy for farmer
• The breeding plan does not need to be up
loaded to FIP except where it is a non
breeding plan
• Remember you can print Breeding Plan before
you press measure complete. You can not
print it once it is completed on the FIP
Possible Recommendations for Bef
Breeding Plan
• Cull older cows with low star ratings
• Increase number of heifers calved 22 -26mths
• Increase Beef Output on farm by introducing a Paddock
System
• Improve Breeding Records
• Reduce Calving Interval Days
• Purchase a Teaser Bull
• Purchase a new 5 Star Bull
• Sell current Bull
• Sell heifers weanlings with potential low star ratings
• Any Further Suggestions?
End