Over the past two years, there has been a significant number of new entrants into dairying in NI.
In 2018 alone, it is thought that almost 50 farmers switched to dairying, with the majority moving from suckler production.
Robert Morrison farms with his parents Victor and Tracey at Ballyroney, near Rathfriland, Co Down, and converted to dairying from suckler beef production in August 2018.
The herd started off milking 45 cows, and 12 months later it has expanded to 93 animals, with 64 cows currently in-milk and the remainder dry.
Background
Prior to the conversion, the farm carried 55 spring-calving suckler cows bred to Charolais stock bulls on 160 acres, with 80 acres owned and the remainder rented annually.
Progeny were taken through to slaughter, with males finished as young bulls.
However, the lack of a sustainable income from beef production meant that Robert and Victor both worked full-time off the farm.
As such, spare time was limited and Robert felt the land was being under-utilised in terms of output.
The decision to convert to dairying was not taken lightly. But for Robert, dairying was the only system that would permit him to farm on a full-time basis and receive a viable living wage.
Planning for conversion
The wheels for conversion where set in motion in 2017. Along with drawing up a business plan, Robert began purchasing maiden heifers in June 2017.
Acquiring maiden heifers was seen as the best route into milk, as they afforded more time to construct cubicle housing, a parlour, calf housing and roadways on grazing ground.
It was also easier on cashflow, a key factor that must always be taken into consideration when changing enterprises.
Maiden heifers could be purchased at a fraction of the cost of freshly calved heifers. Along with these heifers, Robert also purchased two- to three-week-old calves.
These provided additional breeding replacements in 2018, which are set to come into production from August 2019.
A new house was constructed on an existing slurry tank, with 96 cubicles, dry cow housing and calving facilities under one roof.
An 8/16-point parlour was purchased secondhand, but in excellent condition. It was constructed in such a way that would easily allow further addition of milking units.
Breed type
Converting from suckler to dairy is a steep learning curve. More attention must be paid to cow nutrition, calf rearing and milk hygiene, and the level of grassland and breeding management required is much higher.
Rather than opting for Holstein animals Robert chose Fleckvieh heifers, as he wanted a more dual-purpose animal that suited a grass-based system, with higher levels of fertility.
Breeding stock were predominantly sourced from two farms for uniformity in cow type, as well as reducing disease risks.
Another reason for choosing Fleckvieh over Holstein is that higher-yielding Holstein animals require top-class management in terms of their nutrition.
As a new entrant, Robert felt it would be difficult to get high yields until he had greater experience of managing dairy cows.
An additional 30 Friesian-cross Jersey cows were purchased this spring to boost numbers and are performing well within the system.
Breeding management
Cows are bred to stock bulls, rather than artificial insemination (AI), as it eases the demands on new herd management skills during the first year in milk.
However, AI is something which will be considered in future once the system beds down.
Cows are being served to a Fleckvieh bull, with heifers now being served to a Holstein bull – the overall aim is to increase herd yield in the future.
The plan is to settle at 95 to 100 cows. Once cows mature, Angus bulls may be introduced to increase the value of calf sales.
Calving is predominantly carried out over autumn. However, as cashflow is vital in a new and expanding enterprise, plans are in place to have more cows calving in early spring to flatten the supply profile and increase milk sales during summer months.
Making the most of milk price
As a new entrant, Robert is well aware of the pitfalls of poor cashflow. Every investment made is based on careful planning.
“I need to produce as much milk as I can at the lowest possible cost. My costs were always going to be high during the first few years of converting, as the herd has yet to reach full production. Milk solids is one area where I knew I could increase milk price. I have selected genetics that produce milk from grass with high protein and butterfat.”
Butterfat is typically 4.53%, with 3.59% protein – adding around 3p/l to the base price each month.
“We opted to supply Dale Farm as its new entrant scheme pays another 3p/l. When combined with milk solids, this is generating a price that is covering all production costs and allowing for reinvestment.”
Cows are currently giving 24l/day with 12-month yields expected to average around 7,000l, which is good for a herd of heifers. Concentrates fed are little over 2t/cow, with cows grazing by day from 27 March and full-time from 1 June.
“We plan to start milk recording from August, as this will help improve overall herd management. While we are hoping to push yields, it will not be at the expense of milk solids, cow fertility or production cost,” said Robert.
For Robert, the past 12 months have been challenging but rewarding. He has this advice for anyone considering making the switch:
Keep a close handle on finances as they can quickly exceed your budget. There are always unforeseen costs with cow management, especially with cow health.Feeding dairy cows is much more complicated than working with sucklers. Dairy cows are high-output animals and poor management is reflected in lower yields. Grazing management must be top class to produce high-quality forage all year round.Cow fertility is key to profitable dairying, as replacement costs are much higher than in suckler production – as well as the cost of calf rearing, cull cow values are significantly lower.Farm facts
160ac grassland farm.80ac owned, 80ac rented.93 cows, with 64 animals in-milk.New entrant to dairying since August 2018.Projected 12-month rolling yield is 7,000l/cow.Current yields: 24l/day, at 4.53% butterfat, 3.59% protein. Read more
Dairy management: what to spread for third-cut silage
Dairy management: borrowing money, water quality and bulls
Over the past two years, there has been a significant number of new entrants into dairying in NI.
In 2018 alone, it is thought that almost 50 farmers switched to dairying, with the majority moving from suckler production.
Robert Morrison farms with his parents Victor and Tracey at Ballyroney, near Rathfriland, Co Down, and converted to dairying from suckler beef production in August 2018.
The herd started off milking 45 cows, and 12 months later it has expanded to 93 animals, with 64 cows currently in-milk and the remainder dry.
Background
Prior to the conversion, the farm carried 55 spring-calving suckler cows bred to Charolais stock bulls on 160 acres, with 80 acres owned and the remainder rented annually.
Progeny were taken through to slaughter, with males finished as young bulls.
However, the lack of a sustainable income from beef production meant that Robert and Victor both worked full-time off the farm.
As such, spare time was limited and Robert felt the land was being under-utilised in terms of output.
The decision to convert to dairying was not taken lightly. But for Robert, dairying was the only system that would permit him to farm on a full-time basis and receive a viable living wage.
Planning for conversion
The wheels for conversion where set in motion in 2017. Along with drawing up a business plan, Robert began purchasing maiden heifers in June 2017.
Acquiring maiden heifers was seen as the best route into milk, as they afforded more time to construct cubicle housing, a parlour, calf housing and roadways on grazing ground.
It was also easier on cashflow, a key factor that must always be taken into consideration when changing enterprises.
Maiden heifers could be purchased at a fraction of the cost of freshly calved heifers. Along with these heifers, Robert also purchased two- to three-week-old calves.
These provided additional breeding replacements in 2018, which are set to come into production from August 2019.
A new house was constructed on an existing slurry tank, with 96 cubicles, dry cow housing and calving facilities under one roof.
An 8/16-point parlour was purchased secondhand, but in excellent condition. It was constructed in such a way that would easily allow further addition of milking units.
Breed type
Converting from suckler to dairy is a steep learning curve. More attention must be paid to cow nutrition, calf rearing and milk hygiene, and the level of grassland and breeding management required is much higher.
Rather than opting for Holstein animals Robert chose Fleckvieh heifers, as he wanted a more dual-purpose animal that suited a grass-based system, with higher levels of fertility.
Breeding stock were predominantly sourced from two farms for uniformity in cow type, as well as reducing disease risks.
Another reason for choosing Fleckvieh over Holstein is that higher-yielding Holstein animals require top-class management in terms of their nutrition.
As a new entrant, Robert felt it would be difficult to get high yields until he had greater experience of managing dairy cows.
An additional 30 Friesian-cross Jersey cows were purchased this spring to boost numbers and are performing well within the system.
Breeding management
Cows are bred to stock bulls, rather than artificial insemination (AI), as it eases the demands on new herd management skills during the first year in milk.
However, AI is something which will be considered in future once the system beds down.
Cows are being served to a Fleckvieh bull, with heifers now being served to a Holstein bull – the overall aim is to increase herd yield in the future.
The plan is to settle at 95 to 100 cows. Once cows mature, Angus bulls may be introduced to increase the value of calf sales.
Calving is predominantly carried out over autumn. However, as cashflow is vital in a new and expanding enterprise, plans are in place to have more cows calving in early spring to flatten the supply profile and increase milk sales during summer months.
Making the most of milk price
As a new entrant, Robert is well aware of the pitfalls of poor cashflow. Every investment made is based on careful planning.
“I need to produce as much milk as I can at the lowest possible cost. My costs were always going to be high during the first few years of converting, as the herd has yet to reach full production. Milk solids is one area where I knew I could increase milk price. I have selected genetics that produce milk from grass with high protein and butterfat.”
Butterfat is typically 4.53%, with 3.59% protein – adding around 3p/l to the base price each month.
“We opted to supply Dale Farm as its new entrant scheme pays another 3p/l. When combined with milk solids, this is generating a price that is covering all production costs and allowing for reinvestment.”
Cows are currently giving 24l/day with 12-month yields expected to average around 7,000l, which is good for a herd of heifers. Concentrates fed are little over 2t/cow, with cows grazing by day from 27 March and full-time from 1 June.
“We plan to start milk recording from August, as this will help improve overall herd management. While we are hoping to push yields, it will not be at the expense of milk solids, cow fertility or production cost,” said Robert.
For Robert, the past 12 months have been challenging but rewarding. He has this advice for anyone considering making the switch:
Keep a close handle on finances as they can quickly exceed your budget. There are always unforeseen costs with cow management, especially with cow health.Feeding dairy cows is much more complicated than working with sucklers. Dairy cows are high-output animals and poor management is reflected in lower yields. Grazing management must be top class to produce high-quality forage all year round.Cow fertility is key to profitable dairying, as replacement costs are much higher than in suckler production – as well as the cost of calf rearing, cull cow values are significantly lower.Farm facts
160ac grassland farm.80ac owned, 80ac rented.93 cows, with 64 animals in-milk.New entrant to dairying since August 2018.Projected 12-month rolling yield is 7,000l/cow.Current yields: 24l/day, at 4.53% butterfat, 3.59% protein. Read more
Dairy management: what to spread for third-cut silage
Dairy management: borrowing money, water quality and bulls
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