The herd is split 50:50 between autumn and spring calving and the current 305-day production is 9,217kg of milk with 3.71% butterfat and 3.29% protein giving 645kg of milk solids per cow.

What makes this more impressive is that the Buttimers have a milking platform of just 46 acres yet they are in a position to provide an income for two households.

Describing the reasons behind their system Alan said: “I wouldn’t be against the New Zealand grass-based system but it wouldn’t work here, we just can’t grow enough.

“If we had a much bigger land block it might be an option but we don’t so the current system suits.”

Land limitations

“Land is our biggest limitation. We’re boxed in by two roads and a river.

“There are 12 acres across road we mainly use it for first cut silage and we try to minimise the amount of crossings we have to do with cows.

“The acreage across the road is too small to justify a tunnel and traffic can build up a good bit of speed on the approaches.”

Standing in the yard located close to two bends and observing the traffic was justification enough.

The road in question is the main Clonakilty to Ballineen road. Lorries carrying milk from Barryroe and Lisavaird suppliers to the Carbery milk processing plant are part of the daily traffic.

Winter milk scheme

Involvement in the Carbery winter milk scheme is worth about 7.5c/l extra to the Buttimers on top of the base price for the months of November to January with about half of that available in October and February.

Alan added: “The winter milk scheme works well here, that’s where the feeding comes in. Maize has been grown since 1999, we needed more than grass because of the winter milk.

“We try to feed as much grass as we can. We supplement with maize which we grow most of it ourselves and get the rest in on contract.

“The maize ground is just over a mile away we’d have to go on three to four roads to get there so having it in grass and walking cows to it isn’t an option.”

The maize also provides a higher quantity of dry matter. Beet, soya and home dried grain are also used. While it might sound complex to some Alan and Tom had everything under control

“At this stage it’s fine tuned to the point that it has become straight forward for us. We increased cow numbers a small bit after quotas went but nothing drastic. They are bred for milk and the focus is on feeding the cows potential. We’re not trying to burnout cows either.

“One of the standout cows in the herd is on her tenth lactation and has provided 7,750kgs of milk solids in her lifetime so far.

“If we had 300 acres we’d probably have a different system and do that as best as we can too, there’s no right and wrong.”

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