GD and Caroline Young were originally high-input dairy farmers in Scotland, when in March 2015 they bought a 400-acre tillage farm at Dysart, Co Westmeath. They searched in England and New Zealand for suitable land but couldn’t refuse the opportunity to purchase the 400-acre block beside Lough Ennell.
After relocating to Mullingar, they commenced converting the new farm and within the space of seven months they had installed nearly 400 topless cubicles, and a 44-point rotary parlour. Originally the family started milking 250 high economic breeding index (EBI) crossbred heifers and have since grown to 409 cows.
The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) hosted a farm walk on the Young farm on 19 June with focus on their relocation to Ireland, demonstrating best practice in converting to a large-scale dairy and farm infrastructure.
Investment
The initial purchase of the farm was €2m and subsequent conversion costs amounted to €1.05m. A further €600,000 was invested in stocking high-EBI heifers bringing the grand total investment to €3.65m.
Calving shed, bedded with peat during the winter months.
Two hundred of the 400 topless cubicles on the farm.
Collecting yard with a holding capacity of 400 cows.
Flood wash system which cleans the collecting yard. Unloads 20,000 litres of water in one minute.
Entry to the 44-unit Waikato rotary parlor.
Drafting system with collecting pens.
Automatic scraper installed in the 4.5-metre wide passageways.
On-farm lagoon with a holding capacity of 1.3m gallons.
GDs crossbred cows grazing.
Read more
In pictures: pig farmer invests for future from digital feeding to spit roasting
Young farmers breaking their way into the industry
Cereal variety trials return to the northwest
GD and Caroline Young were originally high-input dairy farmers in Scotland, when in March 2015 they bought a 400-acre tillage farm at Dysart, Co Westmeath. They searched in England and New Zealand for suitable land but couldn’t refuse the opportunity to purchase the 400-acre block beside Lough Ennell.
After relocating to Mullingar, they commenced converting the new farm and within the space of seven months they had installed nearly 400 topless cubicles, and a 44-point rotary parlour. Originally the family started milking 250 high economic breeding index (EBI) crossbred heifers and have since grown to 409 cows.
The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) hosted a farm walk on the Young farm on 19 June with focus on their relocation to Ireland, demonstrating best practice in converting to a large-scale dairy and farm infrastructure.
Investment
The initial purchase of the farm was €2m and subsequent conversion costs amounted to €1.05m. A further €600,000 was invested in stocking high-EBI heifers bringing the grand total investment to €3.65m.
Calving shed, bedded with peat during the winter months.
Two hundred of the 400 topless cubicles on the farm.
Collecting yard with a holding capacity of 400 cows.
Flood wash system which cleans the collecting yard. Unloads 20,000 litres of water in one minute.
Entry to the 44-unit Waikato rotary parlor.
Drafting system with collecting pens.
Automatic scraper installed in the 4.5-metre wide passageways.
On-farm lagoon with a holding capacity of 1.3m gallons.
GDs crossbred cows grazing.
Read more
In pictures: pig farmer invests for future from digital feeding to spit roasting
Young farmers breaking their way into the industry
Cereal variety trials return to the northwest
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