Farmers need to be businesslike, urges advisor

AI breeding for only 27% of in-calf heifers coming into herds was identified as a possible symptom of penny wise but pound foolish dairy farming by Teagasc Dairy Specialist, Matt Ryan, when he spoke to an ICMSA seminar at Adare, Co Limerick.

He said farmers think they are saving €20 per cow by using a stock bull, instead of choosing from the top class breeding available through AI, but the same farmers might be over-spending 100% on feed and fertiliser.

“There is a tremendous future in Ireland if the job is done well. We have some of the best farmers in the world. But it is a fact that you are spending on inputs which you don’t need,” he said.