The Effect of Various Pasture-based Systems of Milk Production on Animal Performance in the Northeast Region of Ireland

Abstract

The potential of Irish soils to grow grass throughout the year and success in utilizing grass are key factors affecting output and profitability of dairy production systems (Shalloo et al., 2004). In the Northeast region of Ireland, the potential grazing season is shortened due to impeded land drainage, topography, high rainfall and northerly aspect. The main focus of the Ballyhaise research programme is to develop more sustainable production systems suitable to the limitations of the region with a specific focus on grass growth and utilization. Progress in these technologies will improve the competitiveness of dairying in the Northeast region.

We are also now faced with a new economic environment with market forecasts predicting a steady decline in dairy product prices for Irish dairy farmers while input prices continue to increase. It has been shown from previous studies that dairy farmers need to expand and/or increase the efficiency of their dairy operation to maintain their real farm incomes over the coming years (Breen and Hennessey, 2003). It is likely that land purchase price will continue to be high in future years. Firstly, dairy farmers can continue at their current level of production and efficiency, and suffer a decline in farm profit as milk price falls. It is likely that greater amounts of milk quota will become available in the coming years; therefore many dairy farmers will have the option to increase production. Expansion opportunities will be limited by the key constraints such as labour supply and cost, capital cost, milk quota availability and price and availability of land around the milking parlour. Labour efficient work practices will have to be adopted on farms to allow one operator to manage a greater number of cows.

The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of two divergent pasture-based systems of milk production on animal performance over a two-year period and to subsequently describe the optimum system for dairy farmers in the Northeast region both now and into the future.