From autumn to spring calving in Co Antrim

Coming after 2015 and 2016, when milk prices hit bottom, 2017 was a much improved year for NI dairy farmers. Renewed confidence in the industry has seen some larger producers now driving on with cow numbers, and a favourable milk price-to-feed ratio means farmers are feeding more concentrate. In addition, new recruits are being attracted to the sector.

However, despite all the messages about the importance of grazed grass in the diet when prices were low, much of this current expansion is in housed systems and with cows capable of producing big volumes of milk on high-concentrate diets.

Rare then to find an established farmer in NI who is heading in a different direction, moving from autumn to spring calving, and determined to take cost out, simplify the system, and achieve a better work-to-life balance.

However, Barry O’Boyle, who farms in partnership with his father Francis outside Randalstown in Co Antrim, is probably someone who thrives on taking on new challenges.

After completing an NVQ Level II and Level III at Greenmount between 2005 and 2008, Barry went on to complete a one-year programme in marketing at Belfast Met, before going on to study part-time at the Ulster University. In 2017, he graduated with a masters in business development and innovation. His masters dissertation considered how NI dairy farms can remain sustainable and profitable in a volatile world market.

Global

Not stopping there, Barry is about to embark on some global travel, having been accepted on to the 2018 Nuffield Farming Scholarship programme. His Nuffield study is under the title, “Can farm subsidies be revolutionised after Brexit to drive innovation?”

Despite all the studies and travel, Barry’s main aim is to build a sustainable and profitable farm business at home. He returned to the farm after leaving high school 12 years ago.

The farm is in one 220ac block, a mix of owned and some rented land, and situated on the northern shores of Lough Neagh, rising from only 60ft to 100ft above sea level.

The 180-cow herd was autumn calving, and in the last four years has been gradually transitioning to spring milk. Most of the herd was dried off by December 2017, although around 30 late calvers remained, and they were milked over the Christmas period.

“We will let these cows run over the winter and start artificial insemination at the end of March 2018. The plan is to dry off the herd in early December 2018, and start calving again by mid-January 2019” said Barry.

There are three main issues driving the change in system. The first is about achieving a better work-life balance, with calving, calf rearing and bulling all concentrated into shorter periods.

Secondly, Barry believes in keeping the system simple, and taking as much milk from forage as possible, which has been shown to be a clear driver of profit. There is no diet feeder on the farm, and aside from fertiliser spreading, some topping and some slurry spreading, most of the work is undertaken by contractors.

Finally, the third reason for change is a clear focus on profitability, while reducing the cost of production. With Brexit on the horizon, and the possibility that dairy produce from here will not be protected by EU tariff barriers, he is keen to have a robust business model. In other words, a business that is able to remain competitive during periods of very low prices, but can also benefit when prices are good.

So rather than invest in machinery, recent investment has been to improve grazing infrastructure, including fencing of paddocks, installing new water troughs and laneways.

Around 100 acres are available for grazing, set out in 21 paddocks. To prepare for spring, the first paddocks are closed up at the start of October, and slurry is applied.

The aim is to reseed 10 to 15 acres each year, although the wet summer of 2017 meant no reseeding was undertaken last year. All paddocks were soil sampled in 2017, and any fields below a pH of six had lime applied. Approximately 200t of lime was spread last year.

Target

While the land on the farm is relatively free-draining, the target is to get cows out by mid-March, not mid-February as in traditional spring systems south of the Irish border.

Calving from mid-January means a significant proportion of the herd will spend at least their first six weeks of lactation inside.

“We try to feed second and third-cut to late-lactation cows, and cows that are dry. We then hold back the first cut for cows in early lactation. We aim to make the best first cut we can in early May. When we were autumn calving, all the first cut was gone by early January, and this resulted in feeding cows extra concentrate until the cows got to grass. This is no longer the case,” said Barry.

The herd is currently achieving around 6,000 litres of milk at 4.2% butterfat and 3.3% protein on 800kg of concentrate. The base of the herd is still Holstein, with some Montbeliarde crosses. However, British Friesian semen is now preferred, with the genus bull Catlane Chad used extensively in 2017.

During the breeding season, cows are artificially inseminated for eight weeks, with a final cycle covered by an Angus bull. Sexed semen is used on heifers.

All milk from the farm is sold to LacPatrick Dairies.

Life-changing experience with Nuffield farming scholarship

Barry O’Boyle is one of 19 people chosen from across the UK to be awarded a 2018 Nuffield scholarship.

The process is competitive, with over 50 people invited for interview in London last October.

Applicants must work within farming, food, horticulture, rural and associated industries, and be aged between 22 and 45 years. There is no requirement for academic qualifications, although scholars must be well established in their chosen career.

As part of the programme, scholars are expected to travel anywhere in the world for a period of no less than eight weeks. It is an excellent way to develop knowledge and understanding of a chosen subject area, and gain a unique perspective of global agriculture.

On return a written report is submitted by the end of July of the following year, and scholars present their findings, conclusions and the recommendations at the annual Nuffield farming conference in late November.

Sponsorship

In Barry’s case, he has received sponsorship from The Thomas Henry Foundation, an NI-based organisation, which is one of a number of bodies financially supporting the awards.

His study title will consider whether farm subsidies can be revolutionised after Brexit to drive entrepreneurship and innovation.

He intends looking at farming in a subsidy-free environment, such as in New Zealand or South America. He is also keen to look at the other end of the spectrum, with possibly a visit to a highly subsidised farming regime such as in Japan.

However, before putting those final plans in place, Barry has also been selected to undertake a six-week tour as part of the Nuffield Global Focus Programme. It involves travelling as a group with nine other scholars selected from around the globe, allowing participants to investigate agricultural production, marketing, trade and environmental issues across three continents.

Countries

As part of this programme, Barry will visit various countries including Holland, the US, Mexico, Brazil and New Zealand, and during the trip the group will meet with many political and industry leaders.

Looking ahead, Barry sees a Nuffield scholarship as an excellent opportunity to enhance his skills within the wider agri food industry and further develop his business.

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