Tipperary Co-op farmers ‘can boost post-quota milk output by 64%’

Dairy farmers in the Tipperary Co-op region could potentially increase their post-quota milk output by 64% if they optimise their heifer-calving dates and boost grass growth, says Teagasc senior research officer Dr Laurence Shalloo.

At dairy seminar in Dundrum, Co Tipperary, Dr Shalloo said the region’s biggest challenge will be to improve soil quality as just 8% of soil tests showed land at an optimum standard for grass growth. This was just one factor highlighted from analysis of data generated by Tipperary Co-op, Teagasc and the ICBF.

“Before we did the exercise showing a potential for a 64% total increase in milk output, a lot of people might not have believed such huge potential existed,” said Dr Shalloo. “Of course, that is just a potential figure in a scenario where everyone maximises their potential output. One key component will be to ensure that they increase this output in a profitable fashion.