Basic Function:

 

This role entails developing and expanding improved pasture management practises and nutrient management at farm level, resulting in livestock farmers achieving increases in grazing management knowledge, pasture production and utilisation, and nutrient use efficiency through the Grass10 campaign, with a particular focus on the uptake of white clover.

The objectives of this role will be achieved through:

1. The creation, publication and extension of resources and tools that support the Grass10 campaign, leading to the adoption of good pasture management practices on-farm.
2. Promotion of PastureBase Ireland and promotion of pasture measurement across all ruminant enterprises.
3. Enhancing knowledge and uptake of measures to enhance nutrient use efficiency and mitigation of nutrient losses to the environment.
4. Promoting the establishment and management of clover swards on dairy and drystock farms through focussed campaigns and events.
5. Development and delivery of an effective grassland management extension programme, to ensure that Teagasc advisers and industry professionals deliver consistent best-practice advice to farmers.
6. The delivery of appropriate training events and workshops for farmers and industry.

 

Background: 

Grass10 is a multi-year campaign to increase pasture utilisation on Irish livestock farms (dairy, beef and sheep), with the objective of achieving: (1) 10 tonnes grass DM/ha/year utilised; and (2) 10 grazings/paddock/year, while at the same time reducing the N surplus while maintaining forage self-sufficiency.

• Collaborate with the Clover150 programme to demonstrate best practise in clover establishment and management to the grassland industry, delivering clover workshops on commercial farms and Teagasc Research Centres.
• In conjunction with Clover150, coordinate the rollout of a wider technical advisory campaign to promote increased use of clover for grazing (and silage) swards, with concomitant adjustments to N fertilizer use targets.   
• Promote nutrient management on farm by providing farmers with up-to-date information through PastureBase Ireland on fertilizer use, level of fertilizer requirements and soil fertility.
• Develop and roll out communication pathways to enhance understanding of nutrient use efficiency metrics, N surplus management, and mitigation of nutrient losses, in the context of profitable grazing systems.
• Assist in producing a weekly Grass10 newsletter in collaboration with PastureBase (PBI) staff and Dairy/Drystock KT colleagues (www.teagasc.ie/crops/grassland/grass10).
• Produce a weekly Grass10 management notes podcast on the Dairy Edge platform, and contribute content to the wider Dairy Edge podcast as required.
• Promote the use of PastureBase Ireland (www.pbi.ie) by farmers, working closely with technical advisers and the PastureBase Ireland team.
• Deliver regular PastureBase training webinars and updates to Teagasc staff, farmers and industry personnel in collaboration with PBI staff.
• Assist with delivery of grazing management content and workshops at Teagasc dairy and beef regional and national events.
• Contribute/write technical papers, publications and articles for Irish livestock farmers relevant to Grass10, including publishing to www.teagasc.ie and Teagasc social media channels.
• Assist Teagasc in meeting commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• Actively participate in the risk management, annual business planning and PMDS processes and take responsibility for own professional development
• Fully co-operate with the provisions for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of oneself, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations.  This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Carry out such other duties as assigned from time to time.