- NEWS
Martin wades into abortion debateAs the Dáil committee hearings continue on the abortion bill, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has waded into the debate saying it is important that Christian believers "be, and seen to be, on the side of life, especially when life is most vulnerable".
Payment cuts see families pay rent shortfallLimits on rent supplement payments set by the Government are forcing thousands of families to make undeclared top-up payments to landlords to secure places to live.
- WORLD
Anger as North Korea launches another missileNorth Korea fired a short-range missile from its east coast, a day after launching three more of these missiles, a South Korean news agency said.
How Star Trek predicted the futureWHEN Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first dreamed up the concept of a television show based in the unexplored universe of Outer Space in 1964, the world was a very different place.
- BUSINESS
Warnings over future of eurozoneThe eurozone is heading towards a break up unless there are moves towards much closer political and fiscal union, according to chief economist with State Street Global Advisers, Chris Probyn.
Bruton defends corporate tax rateIreland will be able to maintain its current corporation tax code in the face of international pressure to prevent multinational corporations avoid paying their fare share of tax, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton said yesterday.
- SPORT
Mayo’s statement of intentGalway 0-11 Mayo 4-16 Five minutes to go in Salthill yesterday and James Horan was still cajoling his men to sew it into Galway.
Wilkinson inspires Toulon to gloryASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16 Not for the first time this season, a matchday performance and the result have made a mockery of the statistics.
- LIFESTYLE
What Lenny Abrahamson did nextLENNY Abrahamson has directed three feature films: Adam & Paul, Garage and What Richard Did.
Why do women love to dress up?Trying on clothes, said Ewart, produced "sensations which bring deep peace and perfect contentment" to the female mind.
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Planning for winter feed should not be underestimated
Many farms have grazed some or all of the first cut silage area.
First cut yields are back by up to 50% in places due to the poor growth rates. Work out how much silage you need next winter.On top of this, many farmers plan for a reserve of winter feed for unforeseen issues, such as a month of bad weather, TB, etc.
For example, take an 80-cow herd with 30 replacements on 50 hectares of reasonable quality land. The herd has a normal winter requirement of about 856 tonnes of pit silage.
One month’s reserve feed will add another 190 tonnes.
If 50% of the farm had the first cut in late May/early June, and the yield was well below average, at six tonnes per acre, this cut would provide about 375 tonnes of silage. This is equivalent to about 40% of the winter feed required. The remainder must be sourced between now and winter. Additional sources of winter feed to consider include:
* Second cut silage — close a larger area and increase fertiliser usage on cow-grazing ground to allow for high stocking rates in June and July.
* Apply more nitrogen to grazing ground — take out surplus bales for winter feed.
* Sow kale or rape on outfarm for outwintering heifers.
* Decide to reduce stock numbers over winter.
* Buy grain off the combine.
* Feed the minimum amount of silage and make up the balance with meals.
* Purchase straw this autumn and feed it with meals.
* Purchase standing crops of silage.
* Purchase pitted or baled silage.