Gradual expansion in dairying once quotas gone
PJ Hickey, Modeligo, will gradually increase cow numbers from 100 at present up to 140, plus 30 livestock units of replacement heifers. His Teagasc Adviser, Brian Hilliard, told those at the farm walk that PJ will not be increasing stocking rates.
By getting rid of all drystock once milk quotas are gone, he will maintain his current overall stocking rate of 2.2 livestock units per hectare.
He has a 16-unit parlour, with room for four more units. He plans to concentrate fully on dairying, and to breed small to medium cows weighing about 500 kg, producing 0.9 kg of milk solids per kg of live weight (450kg of milk solids/cow) through a combination of good volume with high fat and protein percentages. Such cows are seen as more profitable, hardier, and suitable for heavier land and walking long distances.
Some of PJ’s land has been drained over the years, and he plans to do a good deal more in the future, which will help to increase both grass production and utilisation, particularly in the spring and autumn.
He prefers 24-hour paddocks to minimise damage on some of the heavier paddocks in wet weather.
Barry Hogan demonstrated the Homburg drain cleaning machine and used it to great effect to unblock some of the existing drains on PJ’s farm.
Teagasc drainage specialist Pat Tuohy and former Department of Agriculture officer Sean Crosse outlined how to determine the correct drainage system, depth of drains for different soil types, and the most suitable type of stone to use.
