Efficient farming almost impossible when fighting Super Levy

Many farmers are keeping far too many cows for available quota in preparation for post-quota production. This is costing them dearly in terms of short lactations, low yields, infertility and the maintenance of surplus stock. Efficient farming is almost impossible when fighting against Super Levy. Remember, it is a long time to be carrying surplus stock until early spring 2016. The widespread advice of feeding no meals in May/June is misleading because in situations where milk yields and fertility are suffering meals should be fed.

The farm practices and data being presented to hundreds of dairy farmers who attend farm walks indicate what can be achieved with excellent cows and management.

Many of the farms visited are among the most efficient in the country, but there are also some walks on farms where a lot can be learned from mistakes being made, particularly regarding underfeeding, leading to low yields per cow and high infertility rates.