Grass allocation using PastureBase Ireland: Practice abstract

Robert O'Dea, a dairy farmer in Ballyphilip, uses weekly grass walks and the Pasture Base Ireland (PBI) app to optimise pasture utilisation. He measures grass growth via the cut-and-weigh method, recording data on herbage mass, grazing, fertiliser use, and livestock performance. The PBI app supports informed decision-making with tools like the Grazing Planner, Grass Wedge, and performance reports. Integrated with the Teagasc Grass Growth on Weather model, PBI enhances productivity and reduces costs. Despite scheduling challenges during peak growth, Robert maintains consistency, improving efficiency and sustainability. The service is free.