Top dairy farmers get their rewards
The competition rewards the country's top dairy farmers who produce milk with the highest protein content and with a firm eye to cost efficiency.
The Shannons have beaten the Teagasc protein target of 3.5%, with their milk reaching a remarkable 3.6% in 2001 and targeted to reach 3.7% over the next two years. This compares with an average milk protein nationally of 3.28%.
Regional awards in the competition, run by Teagasc and sponsored by ACC Bank in association with the Irish Farmers Journal, were presented to David Kerr from Ross, Portlaoise, who supplies Glanbia and to Malcolm Cooper, Castlefinn, Lifford, Co Donegal, who supplies Donegal Creameries.
The Shannon's award-winning protein level was achieved at a remarkable milk yield of 7,500 litres (1,650 gallons) per cow and a highly impressive cost of 9c per litre (32.2p/gallon).
They were presented with the national trophy and a cheque for 3,000 by Jan Molenaar, deputy chief executive, ACC Bank, at a function in Dublin.
Robert and Shirley are winter milk producers, supplying 208,000 litres (46,000 gallons) per year to Lisavaird Co-operative. Their milk is used in the production of value-added dairy products by Carbery Milk Products at Ballineen, Co Cork.
They are active participants in the national Teagasc campaign to improve protein levels in Irish milk, thereby increasing milk price to the farmer and expanding the range of value-added products manufactured by the dairy industry.
As a 'monitor farm' under the joint dairy development programme run by Teagasc and Carbery Milk Products in West Cork, the Shannon farm is used to demonstrate the latest technology for milk production.
They have received professional guidance from Seamus O'Dowd of Teagasc Clonakilty and Eleanor Hayes of Lisavaird Co-op.
Dermot McCarthy, chief dairy adviser with Teagasc, said an intensive Teagasc advisory campaign has resulted in an increase in average milk protein levels from 3.21% in 1997 to 3.28% in 2001. This has lifted milk value at farm level by 15m per annum.
“The majority of dairy farmers can increase profit by 70 per cow by following the Teagasc blueprints for increased milk protein. This is one obvious way of counteracting the impact of the current downturn in milk prices,” he said.
He warned that unless a proper breeding policy is used milk protein levels cannot be increased above 3.3%, even with the best grass management.
