Despite the weather challenges faced on farms this year, now is the best time to be a grassland farmer according to Dr Brendan Horan, the manager of Curtins farm in Fermoy, Co Cork.

Horan says finding the optimum stocking rate is the key, as having too many or too few animals can equally upset the balance.

“The average herd size in Ireland has gone from 50 cows to 75 cows in the last decade. So the challenge of managing larger numbers is there, we want to increase sustainably in the future,” Horan told the dairy conference at Virginia show on Wednesday.

“The increase in cow numbers accounts for just half the increase in productivity – farms are more efficient today.”

Productivity

Stocking rate is the main driver of productivity, Horan pointed out. Too high and you have to increase the fertiliser and concentrate intakes, which can have a negative impact on the environment. Being under-stocked is not a solution in terms of sustainability either because a grazing system is a very delicate biosystem.

“You have to align grass supply and animal requirements, efficiency then is all linked to compact calving and high EBI breeding.”

Irish farmers can expect an increase in carbon sequestriation in line with an increase in stocking rates.

To make the most out of grassland, Horan believes farmers need to focus on some key areas:

  • Producing leafy, high-quality swards.
  • Improve grassland management, fertility.
  • Embracing new technologies such as low emission slurry spreading.

    • “We’ve made massive productivity gains in the last decade. Let’s not react rashly to this year by cutting back numbers. Keep a level head or you’ll lose out on productivity next year,” Horan concluded.

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