Teagasc Open Day takes place on EBI Award Winning Dairy Farm

High EBI is worth over €100 per cow to EBI €100 competition winners Jim and Pauline Delahunty. This was the key message from an open day, organised by Teagasc on their farm at Carrig, near Roscrea Co Tipperary, today Wednesday 13 September, 2006.

The large attendance of dairy farmers had the opportunity to see how the Delahuntys have increased profit through better breeding. High EBI is the path to higher profit through improved production and better fertility.

High fertility and a compact calving season are the key elements of profitable spring milk production according to Jim. During the 2006 calving season, 80 per cent of the herd calved in the first six weeks of the breeding season and the herd calving interval was 365 days. Both of these figures are at, or above the targets set by Teagasc. Excellence in dairy herd fertility is contributing to the 480kg milk solids per cow achieved last year on the farm. High profit per litre is also being helped by a low empty rate of just 13 per cent.

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

Jim Delahunty achieved a common profit of 17 cent/litre last year. High fertility and excellent milk constituents contribute to the high profits being achieved on the farm.

With many dairy farmers seeking to expand production, the discussion forum on the new milk quota trading regime led to lively debate. Department of Agriculture and Food officials outlined the proposed changes to the milk quota trading system. At the forum Dr Laurence Shalloo, Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre said: “There is scope to reward dairy farmers that produce milk with higher constituents. High constituent milk results in lower processing costs and increased profitability in the dairy industry”.

Farmers availed of the opportunity in the main discussion forum to question Jim Delahunty on his breeding strategy, expansion plans and farming under REPS.

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