The onus is on the dairy industry to develop the concept that working on a farm after leaving agricultural college can be a good career choice for young people leaving agricultural college.

That means making sure that young people are not just seen as a source of cheap labour to milk cows, but are offered pay that is competitive with other professions, and given options longer term, such as becoming part-owners in a herd, or a share-farming arrangement.

It was one of the main messages from Joe Rowe, managing director of farm recruitment company, Farm Solutions Ltd, and among the main speakers at this week’s Ulster Grassland Society annual conference.

He pointed out that getting good staff to work on farms was becoming increasingly difficult, given that there are many industries competing for a limited pool of labour. He also put the challenge to our agricultural colleges, that while they might have plenty of students, they are not feeding through into farm worker jobs.

“We don’t seem to be getting people coming from our colleges. They are either going home to work on the family farm, or heading off to do something else. It is possibly something we need to look at in the future,” he said. Over 50% of workers placed by his company are from outside Britain or Ireland, and mainly from eastern Europe.

While finding the right person is a problem, Rowe had a number of pointers for those looking for farm staff. His main message was that if done correctly, having employees can be an opportunity to expand the business, not a headache that limits future growth.

Firstly, he said it was important to plan, knowing what you want from a farm worker, but also being realistic that they might not have all the skills, and won’t have the passion for the business that you have.

In the selection process, a week on trial can act as the best interview process, but aside from that, he maintained that it was important to conduct proper interviews, have a two-way conversation, listen, and find those with good motivation and determination. Don’t make it too easy, as an easy start can mean an easy finish (a worker just doesn’t turn up some day), be nice to poor applicants, and if someone does move on at a later date, try to make sure it is on good terms. “Remember your reputation. It gets around – your farm is one to be avoided,” said Rowe.

As well as initial training, it is often good practice to have written protocols in place to cover key tasks such as milking, and to ensure there is no room for misunderstanding.

To help motivate staff, putting in place bonuses and financial incentives has a role. “If performance is improved, why not share that with those who helped make it. A bonus can cost you money, but it can be a source of profit. It also must be clear – a non-disputable number,” said Rowe.

Accommodation

With it now almost impossible to get someone close at hand to work on farms, it means that providing accommodation is increasingly becoming the norm suggested Rowe. Where good facilities are available, it could help attract a worker, but where the accommodation is to a poor standard (or a mobile home), it is probably best to have none, he said.

“Do it well. Make sure it is neat and tidy. If someone is prepared to live in rough conditions, what will they be like in the parlour or the calf shed?” he asked.

Communication

When working with people, clear communication is vital, workers should be treated with respect, the atmosphere on the farm should be kept positive, and poor performance should be dealt with early.

“Aggression does not work. People have other options. You will end up milking your own cows,” concluded Rowe.

UGS president

The new president of the Ulster Grassland Society for 2018 is Castlewellan beef and sheep farmer, John Milligan.

He replaces Sam Watson from United Feeds. Taking on the role in 2019 is head of beef and sheep development at CAFRE, Jim Freeburn.

Beef farming from a grass-only diet

Building a resilient, profitable and labour-efficient family farm business is central to the management of Co Down farmer Paul Turley’s 180-cow suckler herd.

Speaking at the Ulster Grassland Society annual conference, Paul gave a detailed overview of his farming system.

Prior to 2006, he farmed 30 acres outside Downpatrick and ran 40 store cattle through to beef. However, with his sons keen to build a viable farm, the foundations for the current system were put in place in 2007 with additional land rented and 33 bulling heifers purchased.

The first calves were born on farm in 2008. The farm has since grown to the current 400 acres and 180 spring-calving cows.

The system differs from the majority of suckler herds with cows grazed for nine months and wintered on kale for the remainder of the year.

Land is extremely dry, but there are no housing facilities to fall back on, so management must be good throughout.

The system is built around a low-cost, low-input suckler cow that can convert grass to beef.

While Paul continues to work as a vet, he is now assisted by his son Frank who returned home to farm full-time two years ago.

Herd details

Cow type is Angus cross British Friesian sourced from a local dairy herd and served to Angus sires. All male progeny are slaughtered as steers from 18 to 19 months of age. Male calves are castrated at birth using rubber bands.

Heifers are sold for breeding as yearlings or slaughtered. All replacements are purchased from the same source annually.

Calving normally starts in early February and lasted 59 days in 2017, with 50% of all cows calved inside the first two weeks of the calving period.

Herd sires are selected for calving ease, growth and conformation. Breeding started on 24 April 2017 with replacements served to fixed time AI and stock bulls serving cows.

Weaning

Calves are weaned in December with no meal fed prior to, or after weaning. Weight gains average 1.3kg to 1.4kg/day from birth to weaning. Weanlings are moved to kale and average 0.7kg/day over winter.

They normally move back to grass on 17 March and are slaughtered in autumn off a 100% grass diet.

Carcase data

Cattle are finished through the Angus premium breed scheme.

In 2017, 81 steers were slaughtered at 18 months old and an average 305kg carcase weight. Beef price averaged £4.09 giving a carcase value of £1,247.

Along with the steers, 18 heifers were slaughtered at the same age and an average 268kg carcase weight. Carcase value was £1,056. A group of 36 bulling heifers, were sold for breeding at £1,000/head.