Signpost: Electricity is not getting any cheaper

Joe O'Carroll on his farm outside Ballyheigue in County Kerry. 'At the moment, cows are milking 21 litres, 4.60% fat and 3.82% protein.' Picture: Don MacMonagle

Grass has been tight up until now but the recent rain will hopefully kick start the grass again. I have had a lot of rain in the last week – 85mm. 

I haven’t had to put in silage but I am feeding 4kg meals in the parlour. I walked the farm yesterday and I have an average farm cover of 477 kg DM/ha, cover per cow of 143 kg DM, with a growth of 46kg DM and a demand of 47 kg DM, so it’s tight.