DEAR SIR: Should zero-grazing be kept a secret? The Irish Farmers Journal profiles zero-grazing dairy farmers every so often – the latest on John Downey’s farm, 4 August 2018, page 25.

Zero-grazing is very efficient and I am sure financially viable. However, does it not present a marketing problem? See the advertorial by NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, same edition of the Irish Farmers Journal.

“Ireland, our green countryside is a tremendous asset because the pasture-based model of dairy farming is a vital ingredient for the success of Irish dairy produce all over the world.”

Now, zero-grazing is a grass-based system but it is not a pasture-based system. Cows in that system do not have the sun (or rain?) on their backs for the grazing season – a picture our foreign consumers expect.

Generally speaking, their own cows are housed all year round – hence the unique selling point Irish dairy produce has, if we don’t spoil it.

In the above article, pasture-based dairy farms are referred to three times. If zero-grazing dairy cows catches on, how will we justify it to our customers or will we try to hide it?