A framework for dairy growth: Teagasc supporting dairy farmers Dr. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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A framework for dairy growth: Teagasc supporting dairy farmers Dr. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Nov 13, 2023 246 likes •455 views

A framework for dairy growth: Teagasc supporting dairy farmers Dr. Tom ODwyer Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc Presentation Overview 1. Introduction 2. Key Advisory Messages 3. Adviser Numbers and Workload 4. Discussion Groups

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A framework for dairy growth: Teagasc supporting dairy farmers

  • Dr. Tom O’Dwyer

Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc

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Presentation Overview

  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Key Advisory Messages
  • 3. Adviser Numbers and Workload
  • 4. Discussion Groups
  • 5. Service Packages
  • 6. Industry Support – Joint Programmes
  • 7. The Future?
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Teagasc model of knowledge delivery

To support science-based innovation… so as to underpin profitability, competitiveness and sustainability

Research Education Advisory

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Key Performance Indicators for Resilient Systems

Based on 2012 statistics

Current Average Current Top 10% Target Pasture growth (t DM/ha) 6 - 8 10 - 16 12 - 20 Herd EBI (€) 100 140 >200 6 week herd calving rate (%) 55 70* 90 Grass utilisation (t DM/ha) 7.0* 9.0* 14.0 Milk solids (kg/ha) 665 850 1,400 Cows per labour unit (No./ Lb.U) 40 - 80 80 - 100 100 - 150

*estimates based on available information

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Why is Grass Utilisation Important?

R2 = 0.42 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Estimated Grass utilisation t DM/ha

Net profit (€/ha)

Each additional tonne of DM/ha is worth €161/ha

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Pasture grown, t t supplement DM/cow 10 12 14 16 0.25 1.7 2.1 2.4 2.8 0.50 1.8 2.2 2.5 3.0 0.75 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.1 1.00 2.0 2.4 2.9 3.2 1.25 2.1 2.5 3.0 3.4

Identifying the stocking rate for a resilient system

Previous stocking rate studies have highlighted the biologically optimum SR

*All of these stocking rates equate to 85 kg live weight/t feed DM available.

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Agronomy: growing more higher quality feed

Currently only 12% of dairy soil samples are of satisfactory status Correcting soil fertility could increase growth by 1.5 – 2.0 tDM/Ha/year Improving grazing practices could lift production by 1.0 tDM/Ha/year

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  • €2,000
  • €1,000

€0 €1,000 €2,000 €3,000 €4,000 €5,000 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Net Margin (€ per ha) % Imported Feed

Results – but … big variation between farms

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Recruiting the Resilient Dairy Cow

The ‘Essential’ qualifications, skills and behaviors of a resilient dairy cow Essential Desirable Qualifications High EBI Feed efficient - suited to Feb/March calving higher SR systems Skills One calf per cow per year 4 – 5 lactations High MS production Easy care Behavioural Self motivated - ability to work as part of a larger team Competencies

Results from Next Generation Herd show that ‘Elite’ animals produce more milk solids and have better fertility.

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% Milk Recording 42 Use of Herd Plus 28 Use of AI 82 Use of dry cow therapy to reduce mastitis 98 Use of teat disinfection to reduce mastitis 90 Complete grass covers 17 Complete grass budgets 12 Regular soil testing 66 Use of cash flow budget 13 Use of e-profit monitor 26

Teagasc NFS dairy farms, 2009

Use of Key Dairy Technologies

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The Teagasc Farm Business Monitoring System

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Adviser Numbers and Workload

Dairy Adviser Workload

  • 150 clients
  • 4 – 5 groups
  • 40 ePM; 10 Bus. Plans
  • 30 Derogation Plans (‘out-sourced’)
  • 150 BPS
  • 1 – 2 public events
  • YFS, TAMS, CC
  • Client support
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Discussion Groups

Established members New members Non- members Technical Performance Indicator Milk solids per cow: ≥ 378kg 53 49 37 Somatic Cell Count: ≤ 200,000 cells/ml 52 55 23 Concentrate feed per cow: ≤750kg per cow 57 41 39 Financial Performance Net Margin (€ per litre) 0.145 0.121 0.116 Net Margin per hectare (€) 1,516 1,234 1,050

Source: National Farm Survey, 2011

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Service Packages

‘Technology’

  • Club package plus one visit or significant consultation
  • €215 – 340 depending on farm size

‘Technology + Group’

  • Adds annual group membership fee
  • €150

‘Farm Plan’

  • Adds one visit plus farm plan preparation
  • €450

‘Gold’

  • Intensive service - 6 x visits or significant consultations
  • €1,300
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Industry Support: Joint Programmes and collaborations

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The Future

Teagasc will

  • champion ‘sustainable expansion’
  • establish a new Dairy Expansion Service
  • prioritise education and dairy Advisory Service
  • work towards ‘out-sourcing’ non-core work
  • seek to leverage existing Joint Programmes and

develop new ones

  • provide an independent, research backed

Advisory Service at a reasonable cost

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