Heavy showers in the morning lifted in perfect time for approximately 300 farmers to visit the Hannons' family farm near Drumree, Co Meath, today for an open day with the theme of dairy farm structures for expansion.

The theme was well exemplified on this farm as David has increased the dairy herd from 80 British Friesian cows when he took over from his parents in 1995 to 148 cows in 2007. Currently there are 235 cows milking on the farm and David hopes to expand to 450 cows within two to three years.

He hopes to achieve this further expansion by having a realistic plan in place, growing and utilising as much grass as possible in a low-cost system and by having cows that will calve in a compact block and achieve high milks solids per hectare.

Challenging

Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Lakeland Dairies chief executive Michael Hanley said that it was great to see so many farmers interested in expansion and keen to make the most of the information available on the day.

“At Lakeland Dairies we are investing strongly in our business and are confident for the future. The next six to nine months will be tough but markets will reward farmers for their efforts again,” he said.

Coverage of the open day will be next week’s print edition of the Irish Farmers Journal.