This is a subscriber-only article
Visitors to the Dairy Day exhibition in Punchestown, Co Kildare, on Tuesday were optimistic for the future, but acknowledged they needed good spring weather to overcome immediate fodder shortages.
Several farmers said they had invested in heavy infrastructure since quotas were lifted and now focus on efficiency.
Listen to "Optimistic farmers’ voices at Dairy Day" on Spreaker.
Priorities
Derek Noonan, who milks 130 cows with a Hungarian employee in Castletownroche, Co Cork, said his priorities were labour–saving devices, more cubicle space, roadways, water troughs and “maybe a bit of machinery, but not too much”.
The demonstrations attracting the largest crowds focused on calf rearing. “Automatic feeders and that kind of thing – I think it’s a good way of going forward,” said Edel Mulvaney, who milks 70 cows in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.
From Tullow in Co Carlow, Niall Whelan said he and his family had built a new parlour last year and were now looking for “innovative ideas” to cross the 100-cow mark.
Niall was among the many young farmers attending the event.
College student John O’Sullivan, from a farm with just over 70 cows next to Cork airport, said he was looking for “new ideas for sheds and parlours” to expand the family farm for his future.
Sixth–year student Grace Germaine from Co Wicklow said she had been working part-time on a dairy farm for two years and wanted to continue in this career.
“It’s hands-on work – better than sitting in an office all day,” she said, regretting that more is not done to attract women to the sector.
The main clouds on the horizon were milk prices – “what we’re getting at the moment, we got in Kerry 20 years ago,” said Vincent Brennan from Listowel – and the current fodder shortages.
Fodder
Derek Noonan said he had 80% of the fodder he needs for the winter ahead and would manage with extra kale he has sown and 14ac of Westerwolds bought from a neigbour. “You just have to be prepared for these years – keep your head down,” he said.
David Deane from neighbouring Mallow is planning to use more straights to stretch silage this winter and echoed a widespread feeling by saying: “A lot depends on the spring we get.”
SHARING OPTIONS: