If you’re looking at expansion, you have got to be running an efficient farm first. That was the first important point made at Wednesday's Irish Grassland Association Dairy Conference.

“Look inside the ditch before you start looking out over it,” dairy specialist with Teagasc Patrick Gowing said.

The next factor you need to look at is why you want to expand and what the end goal is after the expansion is complete.

Gowing also says the critical part of any expansion is having good support behind you.

You need to be able to bring either land, labour or equity to the table before considering a second unit

There is an added strain and stress with expansion or setting up a second unit, and unless you have the support of the family unit, he said to consider if the expansion is the right option.

Going a step further and looking at setting up a second unit along – with having a profitable home farm – you need to be able to bring either land, labour or equity to the table before considering a second unit.

It is essential to sit down and do the figures and make a plan before making a decision to expand or start up a second unit.

Gowing says that even if the plan doesn’t work out, it shows that the opportunity isn’t there it can often highlight where there is room for improvement on the home block.

A key thing to remember when taking on a second farm is not to overestimate what the land can do. It can often be the case that a few years to reseed and improve soil fertility are needed before you can carry a higher stocking rate.