It is six years since Colm completed his dairy business degree in UCD. This is his fifth spring at home farming. He wanted to hit the ground running and from very early on, our sights were set on leasing a second farm. It is difficult to pay two salaries on a 150-cow farm and we found that we were too tightly stocked. So we’ve dropped back to 120 cows concentrating on the low-cost model of milk production. But expansion is not as easy as one might think, particularly in a competitive dairying area such as the one we live in. So the search for a second unit that would accommodate at least 120 cows has been live for some time. Tim and Colm set goals and conditions on the project.

Cartoon by Clyde Delaney.

During the milk quota era we had leased land to increase our quota and learned the hard way how valuable proximity is when it comes to managing and servicing another unit. Tim and Colm designed a method of doing the budgets with regard to any lease because it is important to know what one can afford to pay and to be able to stress-test the plan.

The most important one was probably the amount of capital expenditure needed to get the milk flowing

Colm prepared a list of conditions that would need to be met regarding any second unit. Each time a farm we deemed suitable came up, an evaluation was made to pursue or not. It included things like infrastructure in place, milking facilities, slurry storage, quality of grass, farm roadways, fencing, water troughs and water supply and health issues for cows where applicable. The most important one was probably the amount of capital expenditure needed to get the milk flowing. Each farmer’s requirements for expansion are different and the number one criterion is to know what one wants. Over time, we learned what we required. Each farm was approached as the one Colm wanted to farm and when it didn’t work out, we came away with more knowledge from the exercise. Five years ago we could not have foreseen how difficult it might be to add on a second unit or how long it might take.

Satellite unit

So the good news is that Colm is now up and running in what he calls a satellite unit. By that he means that the core farm is here in Woodside and the second unit works off it. What we would never have envisaged was the amount of time it took to get all the legal negotiations leading to the signing of the lease agreement in place. Other things like insurance cover, arrangements for milk collection, servicing of machines and organising contractors all fell into place. But while that phase might have been frustrating for all concerned at times, it was also valuable in that there is now a sound lease agreement in place that both the lessor and lessees are happy with. And so we can move forward with confidence. It allows a natural relationship to build between Colm and the land owner.

Stocking the farm was also slow. Cork Marts were hugely helpful in this regard. We had 40 of our own cows to move and bought in 85 more. In the end they came from five different herds as our priority was to buy value cows keeping our outlay as low as possible. They have settled well in their new home.

Change

Of course, this new development has meant changes at home. Last year, Colm and Tim could relieve each other for time off with only one herd of cows to milk. This year, they have both been milking flat out and are now breeding as well. A relief milker will have to be found to give them both regular time off. That may be challenging. Time will tell. I notice that both men are enjoying the expansion, the planning and the managing. They are also under more pressure.

Breakfast time is different. Colm is already gone to the other farm and Tim and I have less time for a morning chat. I miss Colm around the home farm. But life goes on and things change. If we want Colm to stay farming then expansion is the price. It is hugely exciting too.