Large cost savings and efficiency gains for farm families were outlined at this week’s Smart Farming seminar held in Portlaoise and organised by the IFA. The benefits ranged widely.

On the one hand, cattle farmers could produce an extra 100,000 tonnes of beef each year at no extra cost by better grass utilisation. On the other, if all dairy farmers upgraded loft insulation in their family homes the savings would amount to €4.5m.

“The future development of the sector is not all about getting bigger with more livestock and more land,’’ said Harold Kingston, IFA environment and rural affairs chairman. “For most of us it’s about getting more output from our existing resources.’’

The seminar focused on savings and efficiency gains under eight headings. Then beef, sheep, dairy and tillage farmers who had completed resource studies on their farms, discussed the savings they had identified and the challenges they faced in achieving them. Top tips included:

Grassland: better grazing management can lift farm profits by €250 to €350 per hectare.

Feed: it’s the biggest cost on livestock farms. Big savings are achievable by getting extra days at grass, reseeding, lifting silage quality, smarter use of rations and correcting mineral deficiencies.

Soil: soil testing can save up to €23 per hectare. Further savings come from more efficient use of lime, fertilizers, manure and slurry.

Energy: major savings achieved by insulating family homes (including hot water tanks), having efficient and well serviced heating, energy efficient lighting inside and out, efficient milk coolers and vacuum pumps.

Water: water is set to become more expensive. Big savings can be made by eliminating leaks, frost proofing pipes and recycling water.

Machinery: fuel costs can be cut by removing unneeded tractor weights, turning off idling engines, checking tyre pressure and avoiding driving to outlying land. Service machinery and prevent theft.