are you in a discussion group?

whelan1

just wondering , if so did you only join it recently due to the 1000 euro incentive? i am a member for 3 years

nilhg

The €1000 is only for dairy farmers?

I've been in a tillage discussion/buying group for the last 10 years or so, best move I ever made.

reilig

Suckler discussion group for about the last 5 years. There's no payment for it. Its a great service. We meet about 6 times a year on different farms belonging to the members. It has met on our farm once. I think its brought a lot of improvements to my breeding policies and farm practices in the last 5 years.

Miller80

I'm a member for the last three yrs, it definitely is a great help, esp for grassland management. Its good to compare figures such as kgs of protein and fat and yields. Each farmer has there own system and a number of farmers in our group are now crossbreeding.

snowman707

Miller80 wrote: »

Each farmer has there own system and a number of farmers in our group are now crossbreeding.

what is the main breed used for X ?

in a forestry group myself, view to getting best price is our main aim

Miller80

biggest % would be jersey, then rotbunt and norwegian red.
1 farmer has a load of different breeds including the above and dairy simmenthal, montbelliarde and brown swiss.
Yields are low though, will be interesting when we look at the profit monitor for the different farms.

dar31

in a discussion group for as long as ive been farming. try and attend as many farm walks and open days outside of our group as well.
even if you only pick up one bit of relevant information and make us of it, it is time well spent.
if all group members are doing profit monitors and are members of herd plus, there is a world of information to be had.

theroad

Yeah, discussion groups are good. I learn something every time I go to one of the meetings.

blue5000

Yeah used to be in one when I was milking. If anyone would like to get one started for sucklers in N Tipp S Offaly area send on a pm.

whelan1

theroad wrote: »

Yeah, discussion groups are good. I learn something every time I go to one of the meetings.

ye i think they are great , its amazing how many people have joined our group since the incentive this year , it makes a difference to hear other peoples opinions on things - apart from on here of course:D

reilig

whelan1 wrote: »

ye i think they are great , its amazing how many people have joined our group since the incentive this year , it makes a difference to hear other peoples opinions on things - apart from on here of course:D

Our group has a maximum of 20 farmers allowed in it. All group members are doing profit monitors and weighing. Farm walks are open to everyone - whether they're part of the discussion group or not.

Username John

This is a bit of a digression but...

I would be a bit nervous about joining one, as I only recently started farming, and feel I wouldn't have as much to add as others. So I feel I would be taking more from the group, rather than giving.

Is this a valid fear? I would have thought the whole thing was to learn from one another. But if they are people there who are just learning, and not giving much, then does it reduce the 'working level' of the group?

reilig

Username John wrote: »

This is a bit of a digression but...

I would be a bit nervous about joining one, as I only recently started farming, and feel I wouldn't have as much to add as others. So I feel I would be taking more from the group, rather than giving.

Is this a valid fear? I would have thought the whole thing was to learn from one another. But if they are people there who are just learning, and not giving much, then does it reduce the 'working level' of the group?

I think that joining a discussion group would be great for you if you're just starting off. You don't have to be an expert to join it. Its for learning. You don't have to contribute at any of the meetings, just take it all in. You will get an opportunity to visit all types of farms - ones that are long established, recently established, making good profit, making a loss. Everyone has to start somewhere - farmers will be the last to judge you and then it will be on the quality of your stock only!!!

leg wax

i was in one in waterford when i was milking but left it because the adviser was very bad he did not give me any confidence.was thinking of joining the suckler one, it covers a bigger area but saw the adviser in action at the grassland walk and its the same problem a old stuttering man haveing to go back and check his notes.

blue5000

"I would be a bit nervous about joining one, as I only recently started farming, and feel I wouldn't have as much to add as others. So I feel I would be taking more from the group, rather than giving".

No need to be nervous, we all have to start somewhere. Not every group goes in for facts and figures. You can take it as serious as you want to, its usually not until a group gels that you start looking at the money side of things.

whelan1

look i am the only woman in our group so if i could go any one can go:rolleyes: everyone is in the same boat and no one is there to sneer just to learn some new tricks

theroad

Username John wrote: »

...I would be a bit nervous about joining one, as I only recently started farming...

I'm not that long farming either, and the lads in the group are great. The real eye-opener was the first time the group came to our place for a farm walk. I saw it through their eyes, which was a real boost to me. Discussions are lively with plenty of strong opinions, and the Teagasc people give a broader perspective too.

johngalway

Where would a person find out if there were any group in the area?

whelan1

ring teagasc

Bitten & Hisses

I'd be very nervous about joining one, as the relevant Teagasc advisor (an accomplished beef farmer) is about as diplomatic as Hitler.

reilig

Bitten & Hisses wrote: »

I'd be very nervous about joining one, as the relevant Teagasc advisor (an accomplished beef farmer) is about as diplomatic as Hitler.

The teagasc advisor over ours is really good. He always has a lot of information put together for each meeting that we have and trys to organise relevant speakers at different times of the year. He really lives for it and has a bit of pride in the work that he does.

Bitten & Hisses

reilig wrote: »

The teagasc advisor over ours is really good. He always has a lot of information put together for each meeting that we have and trys to organise relevant speakers at different times of the year. He really lives for it and has a bit of pride in the work that he does.

I have no doubt that the local beef advisor here would be excellent, maybe what I meant to say is, he's more of a Roy Keane than a Hitler.

Cowmad

I joined a discussion group this year and i have learned some tips that we have used. Im sorry i didnt join one before

pakalasa

How many in the groups would typically be part-timers?

reilig

pakalasa wrote: »

How many in the groups would typically be part-timers?

Up to last year there were only 2 out of 20 in our group that were full time farmers. A few of them were in construction are now full time farmers. About 14 out of 20 are part time now I'd say

5live

You can learn from any farm you enter if you want. Dont be worried about not being the best. You have strengths the rest may be poor on. And go and meet the facilitator first to see his iraes and if you can work with him. And the 1000 yoyos isnt guaranteed. It is the total allocated divided by the number of qualified farmers so it could work out at a few hundred euro only. But better than no few hundred euro;)