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Derek has an autumn and spring calving suckler beef and pig farm in Co - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question b - 2021
Question b
Derek has an autumn and spring calving suckler beef and pig farm in Co. Cavan. (i) From the section of the soil map of Ireland, determine what type of soil Derek is... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Derek has an autumn and spring calving suckler beef and pig farm in Co - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question b - 2021
Step 1
Step 2
Outline two characteristics of this soil type and state the implications of these characteristics on his production.
Answer
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High Clay Content: Gley soils typically have a high clay content, which can lead to poor drainage. Implication: This may affect crop growth and lead to waterlogging, particularly in wetter months, impacting feed availability for livestock.
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Acidity Levels: Gley soils are often acidic in nature that may impact nutrient availability. Implication: This can reduce the efficiency of fertilization and may necessitate soil amendments to improve crop yield.
Step 3
Based on the results shown, discuss the quality of Derek’s silage.
Answer
The silage has a dry matter content of 26.5%, which is considered moderate. The protein level is high at 68.7%, indicating good nutritional quality. However, the pH of 4.8 suggests it may be slightly acidic, which could affect the overall fermentation quality. DMD (Digestible Dry Matter) is also high at 68.7%, suggesting good energy availability. Overall, the quality of Derek's silage is acceptable for winter feeding.
Step 4
Outline the implications for the level of concentrate feeding required for the winter for both his dry cows and freshly calved cows. Support your answer with evidence from the table.
Answer
The high protein and DMD in the silage suggest that concentrated feeding can be minimized for dry cows during winter, as the dietary needs may be met sufficiently by the silage. However, freshly calved cows may require additional concentrates to meet their higher nutritional demands during lactation, particularly if their energy and protein levels in the silage do not fully meet the increased demands.
Step 5
The dry matter in Derek’s silage was 26.5%. Describe how you would measure the dry matter (DM) content of a named crop.
Answer
To measure the dry matter content of grass, for example, you would:
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Weigh a fresh sample of grass accurately.
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Dry the sample in an oven at 105°C for 24 hours.
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Weigh the dried sample to get the dry weight.
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Calculate the dry matter content using the formula:
ext{DM ( ext{ extperthousand})} = rac{ ext{Dry Weight}}{ ext{Fresh Weight}} imes 100