Glen South natural feed mix consists of grass, maize silage, sugar beet, straw plus a special feed blend supplied by Dan O’Connor Feeds in Limerick. Fodder levels are checked every hour and replenished. Feed intake has increased across the herd since the installed Vector has definitely changed our management style allowing the team

Supply Chain

Holding a combination suckler herd, the herd is sourced from local Irish farms, for example we currently hold Hereford stock from Dáithí Carroll and Aberdeen Angus from the Gigginstown Herd. Frank’s objective is to shorten the food chain from pasture to plate while guaranteeing a constant supply of prime quality beef. Currently Glen South beef is available directly through local butchers in Cork and Kerry and quality restaurants. Click here to get more information about becoming a stockist.

Key Areas of Good Practice

Animal Welfare

When indoors, the animals are supported by comfortable rubber slats. The unique curved shape of these slats improves cleanliness, health and welfare. Animals remain dry due to curved floor and it allows for the speedy removal of animal waste. A further benefit is the significant reduction in lameness. Despite initial outlay costs, the improved comfort results in increased growth rates and finished weights.

Soil Health

Glen South herd are raised and grazed in Ireland. Summer pastures provide valuable, high-quality forage in the warmer months of the year. Soil testing is conducted on the grassland improving fertilizer use and efficiency. Clover is grown to provide a natural source of nitrogen in the soil. The nodules of its roots. enable the plant to use gaseous nitrogen from the air to make protein. As the clover naturally dies back, decomposition releases nitrogen making it available to the grass. It also continues growth into late summer when grass growth may be inhibited by lack of moisture or heat.

Water

Water at Glen South Farm is obtained from our onsite natural well. Natural spring water comes direct from the ground source and does not undergo chemical filtering. Taste, purity, environmental impact and cost effectivness are notable benefits.

Reduced Fuel Consumption

Diesel: A further benefit of the Lely robotic feed system is the reduction in fuel usage. Glen South’s use of diesel has diminished as the feed kitchen is restocked only three times per week.

Electricity: During daily feed operations, the robot docks at the kitchen, connecting to a seven pin socket. During this feed loading phase the unit is powered by mains electricity allowing the batteries to recharge.

Ecosystem protection

Maize and Beet crops are locally grown to provide winter feeding for the herd and foraging zones to the wild bird populations. Because we care about the environment, a dedicated state of the art the handling system was specifically developed for Glen South Farm.