Better planning could ease reliance on grass, says feed group chief
The boss of the Co Carlow-based agri-engineering and animal feed group, Richard Keenan & Co Ltd, says: “Ireland’s grass is a huge asset to the country, but there will always be years when the weather is a problem.
“In France, where herd sizes tend to be smaller at around 60 cows or less, and the milk quota is more rigid, our integrated nutrition system is about making more money from less milk. We get the same milk with 15% less feed.
“In an Irish situation, we are talking about something different. Grass will be a major contributor. We think you can get a 20% better return on milk per total feed. This is not a reaction to the present fodder crisis. We’re talking about better planning rather than buying animal feed in a panic. It is about thinking ahead rather than having to fix a problem afterwards.”
Keenan claims its optimal physical mix of forage, ration and concentrates enhances the cow’s diet, produces a better animal and delivers a net saving of €200 per cow, while increasing milk yield.
Keenan’s calculations are based upon the company’s tracking of data from 11,000 farmers in 25 countries since 2003. The Carlow firm has a big client base in the USA, India, Australia, the Scandinavian countries, the UK, France and across Europe. It now feels it can also become more successful in Ireland, offering a realistic, affordable alternative system to over-dependence on grass.
Mr Keenan’s estimate of saving €200 per cow is based upon a cow achieving an average annual output of 7,000 litres. This yield is a jump from the current 5,500 litres average Irish output.
There’s a payout of €375 for 1-1.25 tonnes of planned feed, versus the €300 the farmer is currently paying for an unplanned, higher cost 0.5t to 1t of feed. As well as €75 extra for this feed, the farmer will go from 750kg of concentrates up to 1.25t per cow. That additional half tonne will cost him €150 extra. Thus, he spends an extra €225 on feeds and concentrates.
The extra 1,500 litres his cow will produce will deliver him €500 in extra income, based upon a 30cpl milk price. Keenan adjusts the feed model to fit local circumstances in the many countries where the company operates.
Keenan’s Irish model is based upon a higher consumption of grass, but a planned approach to animal feed. It is far less stressful, Keenan’s research suggests. “We feel that a systematic approach is far better than an ad hoc approach, based on research on thousands of farms,” says Gerard Keenan.
“We are working with feed companies who are changing direction as they look ahead to the end of milk quotas.
“We all want a more efficient conversion of feed into milk. We aren’t offering any huge difference in the conventional ration balance. We are not increasing the proportion of concentrates in the mix; we’re just physically mixing it better.”
