James White, Clonlahy, Cloneen, Clonmel, Co

Tipperary

DEAR SIR:

As dairy farmers plan for the year ahead, is independent advice ever more important?

Teagasc advice re soil sampling, condition scoring of cows and procedure at dry-off period are timely ones at present.

Farm discussion groups provide an active forum where farm plans with factual figures are consolidated with milk recording results, herd plus details (through ICBF) and co-op milk results.

These groups, facilitated by an independent Teagasc adviser with the farmer’s honest effort at a profit monitor, and grass grown and utilisation figures, are the basis of any plan.

Furthermore, such discussion groups include a cross-section of age groups from youthful members to provide energy for expansion, balanced with the more experienced campaigners.

The particular needs of each farm are addressed in individual plans to include family needs, and the work/life balance will be enhanced greatly by the involvement of spouse/partner in any such plan.

If the strides that have been advanced in the EBI of the dairy herd can be replicated in the new evaluation for grass species, farmers will be well served.