Newford Farm, Athenry, Co Galway, welcomed a large attendance for Wednesday’s open day. Darren Carty reports on the key messages from the farm established by Dawn Meats and Teagasc in 2015 and supported by the Irish Farmers Journal and McDonald’s

€1,170/ha

2020 target gross margin

The farm has a target of increasing the gross margin from €495/ha in 2015 to €1,170/ha in 2020. Reducing variable costs from €1,374/ha, or 74% of output, to €986/ha (45% of output) will be central to achieving this, along with increasing liveweight output to 922kg/ha.

2.7LU/ha

Stocking rate on the farm

The farm is utilising the land type with a high stocking rate of 2.7LU/ha, putting significant pressure on grass growth. At present, the farm needs to produce over 13t DM/ha. There is a focus on year-on-year improvement, with an aim to produce 16t DM/ha in 2019.

565kg

Average weight of mature cows

Cow type differs from the norm and comprises mainly first-cross Aberdeen Angus cows from the dairy herd and a small number of Hereford-cross cows. Mature cows weighed 565kg on 29 April, with second-calvers weighing 511kg on average and first-calvers 501kg.

20min

For heat detection

AI is being carried out for seven weeks. While increasing labour, the benefits of using proven sires outweigh any negatives. Heat detection takes place four to five times daily for 20 minutes at a time. Vasectomised bulls with a chin ball and tail painting cows are helping heat detection.

7%

Calving difficulty for sire selection

With a focus on minimising labour, the calving difficulty for sire selection is a maximum of 7% with greater than 80% reliability. Sires (ZGM, FSZ and CKH) are being selected to add beef characteristics to progeny and must possess five stars on the terminal index and greater than 30kg predicted carcase weight.

1unit

Labour to run the farm

Farm manager Matthew Murphy is charged with the day-to-day running of the farm. He has been aided this year by student Eanna Loughrey. All labour on the farm, including labour from an outside source, is recorded and will be an invaluable source in determining a typical labour requirement for a 100-cow herd. Members of the management team are in regular contact and also discuss significant management decisions with Matthew. Farmer views are reflected through a stakeholder group.

€50/cow

Spent on health protocol

There is a robust health plan with a focus on prevention is better than cure. The foundation of herd health is an extensive vaccination and health programme costing in the region of €50 for each cow-calf unit, along with regular monitoring and implementing management practices that promote optimum herd health.

€1.25/day

The cost for contract rearing

Contract rearing is allowing the farm maintain control of its replacement policy without having to reduce the stocking rate on Newford Farm. An arrangement is in place with experienced farmer Billy Gilmore, who is rearing heifers and meeting performance targets until cull cows leave the herd at the end of the year/start of 2017.

Speaking at the open day, IFA president Joe Healy tells us what Newford Farm is all about in the video below:

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