Open Day on EBI Award Winning Dairy Farm

Maximising dairy profit through improved breeding is the main objective on the farm of Jim and Pauline Delahunty, the winner of the 2006 Economic Breeding Index (EBI) €100 competition.

At an Open Day on the farm of Jim and Pauline Delahunty, on Wednesday, September 13, at Carrig, near Roscrea, Co Tipperary, all dairy farmers will have an opportunity to see how profit has been increased on a dairy farm which also produces calf-to-beef and quality replacements.

Milk fat and protein are exceptionally high on the Delahunty farm, returning a higher price for the milk produced. Milk fat was 4.18% and protein was 3.69% in 2005 from black and white cows.

Dairy Programme Manager with Teagasc, Matt Ryan said “these higher constituents mean that Jim is obtaining a higher milk price than the average supplier for the milk he produces. In 2005 his milk price was 3.4 cent/litre higher than the average supplier to his co-op, which was worth €7,364 on the 216,589 litres of milk sold. This trend continues in 2006, with his July milk price 3.13 cent/litre higher than the average supplier.”

A discussion forum on the new milk quota trading regime and a winter feed forum will also take place at the Open Day on September 13. This new format will provide dairy farmers with an opportunity to get first hand information on the latest changes to the quota system from Department of Agriculture officials. Winter feed supplies are low on many farms, so alternative feeding strategies will be outlined on the day.

This award winning farmer has used the Teagasc Profit Monitor analysis programme for the past ten years to assess overall farm performance and profitability. He has also been an active member of the TIP (Talking Improves Profit) discussion group which is facilitated by Michael Hogan, Teagasc Adviser in Nenagh.

In the main discussion forum, there will be an opportunity to discuss with the EBI €100 winner, Jim Delahunty, his breeding strategy, how he increased the EBI of his herd and the overall management of the farm which is a REPS compliant farm.

ACCBank are the main sponsors of the EBI €100 competition, which is organised by Teagasc, ICBF and the Farmers Journal.

The Delahunty farm is located between Borrisokane and Birr and all farmers are welcome on Wednesday, September 13.