DEAR SIR: Should zero-grazing be kept a secret? The Irish Farmers Journal profiles zero-grazing dairy farmers every so often – the latest on John Downey’s farm, 4 August 2018, page 25.
Zero-grazing is very efficient and I am sure financially viable. However, does it not present a marketing problem? See the advertorial by NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, same edition of the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Ireland, our green countryside is a tremendous asset because the pasture-based model of dairy farming is a vital ingredient for the success of Irish dairy produce all over the world.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, zero-grazing is a grass-based system but it is not a pasture-based system. Cows in that system do not have the sun (or rain?) on their backs for the grazing season – a picture our foreign consumers expect.
Generally speaking, their own cows are housed all year round – hence the unique selling point Irish dairy produce has, if we don’t spoil it.
In the above article, pasture-based dairy farms are referred to three times. If zero-grazing dairy cows catches on, how will we justify it to our customers or will we try to hide it?
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
DEAR SIR: Should zero-grazing be kept a secret? The Irish Farmers Journal profiles zero-grazing dairy farmers every so often – the latest on John Downey’s farm, 4 August 2018, page 25.
Zero-grazing is very efficient and I am sure financially viable. However, does it not present a marketing problem? See the advertorial by NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, same edition of the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Ireland, our green countryside is a tremendous asset because the pasture-based model of dairy farming is a vital ingredient for the success of Irish dairy produce all over the world.”
Now, zero-grazing is a grass-based system but it is not a pasture-based system. Cows in that system do not have the sun (or rain?) on their backs for the grazing season – a picture our foreign consumers expect.
Generally speaking, their own cows are housed all year round – hence the unique selling point Irish dairy produce has, if we don’t spoil it.
In the above article, pasture-based dairy farms are referred to three times. If zero-grazing dairy cows catches on, how will we justify it to our customers or will we try to hide it?
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS