Mob grazing livestock in North Cork

This week on Organic Matters, we speak to Charles Harold Barry and his wife Catherine who produce organic beef and lamb. They farm in north Cork and keep Angus cattle using a mob system. They also have sheep and use EasyCare rams to breed lambs that do not need shearing, with the stock seen as an important part of the farm’s grassland management.

They have stopped making silage and focus on keeping enough grass around the farm to have all livestock out all year round. Hay is used to supplement grass for the cattle in the winter, with Charles using a bale unroller machine rather than a round feeder for better feed utilisation, and to prevent damage to the ground and ensure faster grass regeneration.

Charles talks to our presenter Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about his experience with his grazing approach. including the impact he feels it has had on animal health and welfare.