‘We didn’t sprint into dairy expansion – it’s important to measure twice and cut once’
‘THE winter and the spring have been challenges, no doubt about it. A successful spring for a dairy farm has good weather, early grazing, slurry and fertiliser application as well as calves on the ground.”
This is the assessment of Co Monaghan dairy farmer Kieran McDermott, who has endured a challenging few weeks.
Kieran farms alongside his parents Jimmy and Mary, and his fianceé Emma is also involved in the farm on a daily basis.
“Emma calls herself the chief calf-rearer and who am I to say otherwise!” he says.
“We got the slurry out earlier in the year alright but ground conditions since have made grazing almost impossible.”
However, the Clones man insists that cow performance has not been hampered by the longer-thanexpected stay indoors this winter.
“The cows are happy and they’re milking on well, doing 26 litres at 3.4pc protein, 4.5pc butterfat. They are on 6kg of meal too.”
In terms of cows calved, the back is well broken and the McDermotts are on the home straight.
“We have 64 or 65 cows calved at this stage and we’re motoring on well,” says Kieran. “We have a few later calvers alright that will mean we’ll be at it until mid-April, but overall it’s not going too bad.
Breeding season
“There are 32 heifer calves so far so that’s good return too. We got the bull calves sold quite easily this year and there appears to be a good trade for the beef calves.”
The McDermotts mainly use AI for their breeding season as well as a Hereford bull to mop up on the cows, and a home-bred bull to clean up on the heifers.
But there appears to be little in the way of respite from the rain for the McDermotts and it is the weather that is causing most of the concern.
“We’re looking out to the longrange forecast out of hope more than anything else,” says Kieran.
“There might be something brewing in terms of a settled spell as we go further into March, but it’s very early to say yet. We aren’t getting two dry days together to get the cows out to grass properly. The land is just ringing wet. In reality, it has been raining since last October.”
Kieran and his parents have taken a philosophical and prudent approach to dairy expansion, having grown the herd from 40-odd five years ago. Investments have been made on farm buildings and extra space.
“We didn’t sprint into expansion and investments,” says Kieran. “It’s important to measure twice and cut once and know what you’re doing is the right thing.
“There’s a good future in dairying and for young farmers in general if you have a good direction and idea of where you’re going.”
Kieran has been heavily involved in national farm politics through Macra na Feirme in recent years.
He feels the need for younger farmers to have a strong and coherent voice is critical, especially in the light of climate change challenges and a new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
“Young farmers need a voice at government and Brussels level more than ever,” he says, “We’re facing a slew of challenges that we can get a handle on and help influence.
“There are things like the weather and the price of commodities that are outside our control, but proper funding for the CAP and workable supports for young farmers is something we can do work on.
Pressure
“Farmers feel under pressure more than ever.
“Younger farmers feel that challenge more than most as many of them are only starting their careers so that’s why Macra has a huge role to play in representing and fighting for farmers.
“Macra has had tremendous success in recent years in fighting for things like supporting a Young Farmers Scheme and getting extra TAMS supports. It shows that a clear campaign can yield benefits for young farmers.”
Meanwhile, Kieran and Emma, have a big date on the horizon.
“We’re getting married on July 4. There’s more work to it than you think! I think we have most things sorted at this stage and hopefully we have a good time anyway,” he adds.
We aren’t getting two dry days together so we can’t get the cows out to grass properly. The land is just ringing wet at this stage – it has been raining since last October.