The Clements family were traditionally suckler cow farmers based in Co Tyrone, close to the village of Trillick. In 2011, they converted to dairy production and Robin and Heather, with their two sons, Matthew and Stephen, now milk 125 cows on the farm and rear all replacement heifers.

They farm a total of 73ha, including rented land, and 40ha of this can be grazed by the herd. At the time of conversion in 2011, dairy returns were significantly better than they are currently, but nonetheless the Clements are happy with the move into milk production and are confident future returns will improve.

With continued focus on production efficiency and good cost control on the farm, they will be able to survive the volatile market.

The Clements family adopted a very structured approach to converting into dairy farming. Long before any changes were made on the farm, Robin and Heather had considered the pros and cons of dairy farming closely.

Experience

Heather had the benefit of first-hand experience having lived and worked on a dairy farm previously, but Robin was very new to the industry. To expand his knowledge base, Robin decided to join a discussion group in his local area and found visiting dairy farms and discussing the issues with other dairy farmers very beneficial. The next step was to count the cost and plan the conversion.

In 2010, all the beef stock was sold and the proceeds used to fund the purchase of maiden dairy heifers, and some first- and second-calved cows. At the same time, work commenced on converting the buildings to cubicle accommodation, increasing slurry storage and building a milking parlour.

By autumn 2011, the newly purchased stock started calving, just as work was completed on the parlour. Currently, all bull calves are sold at around three weeks. With no beef production at all, the main income stream for the Clements now is milk sales.

Funding for the conversion project came from personal savings and a bank loan, which also allowed the Clements to bridge the gap in income between the sale of their beef stock and their first milk cheque.

The production system

From the outset, high cow fertility was identified as a key ingredient for the production system adopted on the farm. Cows calve between August and December and are bred to high-EBI bulls with particular emphasis on cow fertility.

Daily production performance of the herd is illustrated in Table 1. On an annual basis, the cows produce 7,000 litres at 4.30% butterfat and 3.35% protein (551kg milk solids).

Robin has identified top-quality grazed grass and silage as critically important for maintaining output and minimising concentrate input on the farm.

Targeted investment into the grazing area over the past three years that has recently been completed will allow for improved grazing conditions for the herd and help achieve the overall objective of reducing production costs on the farm.

This investment, totalling approximately £30,000, included a major drainage project and an extension to existing farm roadways, and will allow the herd to utilise more grazed grass this year with improved access to paddocks and a longer grazing period.

Reseeding of land has always been part of the farm policy, even when sucklers were the family business, and each year an average of 10% of the farm is reseeded.

Daily work routine

Robin, Heather and their son, Stephen, deal with the daily routine on the farm, but their other son, Mathew, also helps out when not completing his studies at Omagh Academy.

The family also finds the time to manage a farm contracting operation to include big bale silage making and hedge cutting, with some slurry work and reseeding also catered for. Stephen and Mathew are involved in the contracting work, which mainly takes place in summer months – a period when the labour requirement of the dairy herd is at a minimum.

Farm facts

The system

125 autumn-calving cows. All 7,000 litres/cow sold to Lakeland in 2014, averaging 4.30% butterfat and 3.35% protein. Breeding targets high milk solids and fertility. Wet and heavy land can periodically restrict grazing on the farm.

Farm development plan

Desire to develop a herd based on utilising grazed grass and top-quality silage. Monitoring grass growth will become part of the 2015 plan. Maintaining and improving the calving profile is an objective.

Farm investment

Recent investment targeting additional slurry storage and cubicle space is nearly complete. Significant investment over a three-year period in a milking parlour, land improvements and farm machinery. Future investment will be considered if it helps reduce production costs.

Work routine

Family farm operation with all duties undertaken by the family, including daily milking, silage making, slurry spreading and all associated paperwork.

Dairylink Plan

Developing a robust milk production system which can withstand volatile milk prices and deliver the return and lifestyle required for the family. Making informed management decisions regarding cow fertility, grass management, cow feeding and cost control will help deliver a sustainable and profitable business.