Labour and how to simplify the system of farming so as to make work routines efficient and sustainable was the central theme of the Irish Grassland Association annual dairy conference held near Charleville, Co Cork.

In the morning session, David Kerr, a dairy farmer from near Portlaoise, and Kevin Ahern, farm manager from near Bandon, Co Cork, outlined how they prepare and set up the system to make dairy farming possible.

The most important three things about a parlour are cow flow, cow flow and cow flow

Both use contractors to do the majority of the machinery work and both bring on relief part-time help to manage the spring rush of work as compact calving kicks in. This effectively allows both to focus on animals.

David Kerr said: “The most important three things about a parlour are cow flow, cow flow and cow flow. The most important machine on my farm is the drafting system that allows me to pick out cows for breeding, lameness, etc.”

For Kevin Ahern, contractors and students are the most important cogs in the wheel to allow him stay in business and give him the time to work with cows.

He said: “I’m in constant contact with my contractors, students and part-time help. Even though this is a one-man band, I can’t do everything. However, I do need to spend time keeping the team together, because we are in this together to keep this farm going.”

Partnership

In the afternoon, two Waterford farmers, dairy farmer Pat Ryan, farming near Dungarvan, and Esther Walsh, general manager for Moorehill and Tourin Farms near Lismore, described how they manage staff.

Pat, his wife Pauline and their son James are centrally involved in the home farm near Cappagh where they milk 480 crossbred cows on 160ha.

However, outside of that, Pat and Pauline are involved in a partnership-type arrangement with other farmers.

He said: “In total, I reckon there are 14 farm families involved in the bigger business, as some are involved in contract rearing, some are milking cows, etc. A lot of our labour is sourced from Poland and they like to come, work hard, go home and come back again. It works for them and because of the peak in seasonal work, it works for us to a large extent.”

There is always some change in staff, so knowing what and when to do it is crucial

Esther Walsh has been 13 years working with the Maxwell Farm Business near Lismore and at the moment they are milking over 900 cows on two land blocks, with another farm recently taken on which will be dedicated to rearing youngstock only.

Esther emphasised the importance of training new staff and the time it takes. “It’s crucially important, because with 10 or 11 persons employed there is always some change in staff, so knowing what and when to do it is crucial.

“We work a roster of 12 days on and two days off in spring and then it moves to 10 days on and four days off when the peak workload is complete. We make it compulsory for staff to take a week off in April after calving and before breeding so everyone is fresh for a focus on breeding.”

Over 650 farmers, students and industry representatives attended the conference yesterday.

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