Moving from a combination of sucklers, dairy, and vegetables, this west Cork farm has streamlined the business over the last 10 years into 98 milking cows supplying Drinagh Co-op.
The farm runs to over 35ha, with winter housing and slurry storage for all animals.
When you walk to the top of the farm and look back over the paddocks you can see the green fields intermingled with exposed rock outcrops, heather and more severely disadvantaged land.
Brendan inherited this farm from his Uncle Con and over the last 10 years has developed it into one capable of growing over 14t of grass every year.
The view back across the yard to the cubicles and parlour.
Brendan explains: “We have worked hard for the last 10 years turning over soil, taking out rock and filling up hollows so that we can grow grass to feed our cows.”
A network of farm roadways allows cows to move across the farm crossing a number of smaller public roads.
The view from some of the high paddocks as you look back across the O'Driscoll farm.
Some of the fields are dry and free-draining while others need more careful use as they are high and elevated or can’t be travelled regularly with tractors etc.
Tim O'Regan, Drinagh with the O'Driscoll boys Niall, Ian and Sam.
As the farm and herd has developed, issues such as milk fever, tickborne fever and other herd health issues have gradually reduced. Brendan works closely with a neighbour and they share many of the big jobs such as drying off and stonework around fields.
Calves are moved off the farm once they are weaned off milk. As Brendan said: “When we had 40 cows I thought we’d be fine. However, the various investments made have allowed the farm to grow enough grass to milk 98 cows.”
The O'Driscoll herd grazing recently reseeded paddocks.
Like most of the farms in this competition, the bull calves are sold off the farm to private buyers returning year after year but also to local marts.
A total of 50,300 kg of milk solids were delivered in 2018 with about 1,500kg of meal fed per cow. See artwork and key stats.
You can get a feel for the topography of the farm and where cows have to go.
The drought would have affected 2018 grass growth rates, but not as badly as farms in the east of the country.
The parlour is a 12 unit herringbone so it’s one person milking. Calving starts in late January and almost 90% calve in six weeks. Selective dry cow antibiotics are used. Last year was the first year and about 15 cows were selected for teat sealer only (so no antibiotic).
Moving from a combination of sucklers, dairy, and vegetables, this west Cork farm has streamlined the business over the last 10 years into 98 milking cows supplying Drinagh Co-op.
The farm runs to over 35ha, with winter housing and slurry storage for all animals.
When you walk to the top of the farm and look back over the paddocks you can see the green fields intermingled with exposed rock outcrops, heather and more severely disadvantaged land.
Brendan inherited this farm from his Uncle Con and over the last 10 years has developed it into one capable of growing over 14t of grass every year.
The view back across the yard to the cubicles and parlour.
Brendan explains: “We have worked hard for the last 10 years turning over soil, taking out rock and filling up hollows so that we can grow grass to feed our cows.”
A network of farm roadways allows cows to move across the farm crossing a number of smaller public roads.
The view from some of the high paddocks as you look back across the O'Driscoll farm.
Some of the fields are dry and free-draining while others need more careful use as they are high and elevated or can’t be travelled regularly with tractors etc.
Tim O'Regan, Drinagh with the O'Driscoll boys Niall, Ian and Sam.
As the farm and herd has developed, issues such as milk fever, tickborne fever and other herd health issues have gradually reduced. Brendan works closely with a neighbour and they share many of the big jobs such as drying off and stonework around fields.
Calves are moved off the farm once they are weaned off milk. As Brendan said: “When we had 40 cows I thought we’d be fine. However, the various investments made have allowed the farm to grow enough grass to milk 98 cows.”
The O'Driscoll herd grazing recently reseeded paddocks.
Like most of the farms in this competition, the bull calves are sold off the farm to private buyers returning year after year but also to local marts.
A total of 50,300 kg of milk solids were delivered in 2018 with about 1,500kg of meal fed per cow. See artwork and key stats.
You can get a feel for the topography of the farm and where cows have to go.
The drought would have affected 2018 grass growth rates, but not as badly as farms in the east of the country.
The parlour is a 12 unit herringbone so it’s one person milking. Calving starts in late January and almost 90% calve in six weeks. Selective dry cow antibiotics are used. Last year was the first year and about 15 cows were selected for teat sealer only (so no antibiotic).
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