ZERO GRAZING and ROBOTS. The Perfect Combination?

Summary

John Downey, a farmer from South Kilkenny, shares insights into his unique farming system, which integrates three A4 robots and zero grazing to efficiently utilize grass. After transitioning from beef farming to dairy in 2017, he explains the challenges faced with profitability in beef and the benefits of his indoor grass-based system. Despite droughts and the complexity of managing grass, Downey finds success in balancing cows and grass, aiming for optimal milk production with minimal external feed. His system is a sustainable and innovative solution to modern farming challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 John Downey farms in South Kilkenny, Ireland, at a place called the Roar, using three A4 robots to manage his cows.
• 😀 His cows are housed year-round, and they are fed zero-grazed grass, maximizing the utilization of the available grass on the farm.
• 😀 The decision to keep cows indoors was driven by fragmented farmland and the need for a more efficient system for collecting and using grass.
• 😀 John transitioned from beef farming to dairy in 2017, citing unsustainable margins in beef farming as the reason for the switch.
• 😀 The objective of the dairy operation is to achieve 650 kilos of milk solids with minimal supplemental meal feeding, typically one ton per cow.
• 😀 In years 3-5 of the dairy operation, the average production was between 550 and 560 kilos of milk solids, but a drought last year led to a decline in production.
• 😀 John chose his system because it is based on grass, with minimal use of additional feeds compared to other dairy systems which rely heavily on grain-based feeds.
• 😀 The system minimizes the workload of managing multiple grazing blocks, allowing John to focus on zero-grazing, reducing complexity and labor.
• 😀 John’s advisor, Andre van Varnival, initially disliked indoor systems and robots, but together they developed a five-year financial plan that has led to success.
• 😀 Managing grass is the most challenging part of the farming system, but the machinery used for zero-grazing is light and causes minimal damage to the land.
• 😀 John is pleased with the service and maintenance of his zero-grazing machinery, and the system allows for efficient operation even during poor weather.

Q & A

What is the farming setup at John Downey's farm?

John Downey farms in South Kilkenny, using three Lely A4 robots to manage cows, which are housed indoors year-round and fed on zero grazing grass.

Why does John Downey prefer zero grazing for his cows?

Zero grazing suits Downey's farm because it eliminates the need to drive around collecting grass daily. The system ensures efficient use of available grass, reducing the need for extensive labor and optimizing resources.

What led John Downey to switch from beef farming to dairy farming?

The transition was driven by the unsustainability of beef farming, which was becoming too difficult to maintain due to low margins, decreasing subsidies, and the need for a part-time job to sustain it.

What was the original objective when starting dairy farming?

The original goal was to achieve 650 kilos of milk solids per cow and feed each cow one ton of meal annually.

What challenges did John Downey face in his dairy farming journey?

One of the main challenges was managing the grass supply, especially during droughts that affected production in summer months. Another challenge was transitioning from beef to dairy, including the financial strain during the initial setup phase.

Why does John Downey avoid a conventional grazing system?

A conventional grazing system would require managing two different blocks of land, which Downey felt was too much work. He also avoided feeding large quantities of nuts to cows, as he did not want to take on the associated risks.

What type of cows does John Downey use for his dairy farm?

Downey primarily uses Kiwi Cross cows for his dairy operation, which align with his focus on maximizing grass production and quality.

How does John Downey manage the intake of grass for his cows?

John Downey collects grass through zero grazing and uses a machine to bring it in daily, with up to three loads of grass brought in depending on weather and growth conditions.

What are the advantages of the zero grazing system in John Downey's farming?

The zero grazing system allows John to efficiently manage his grass resources by bringing in grass and storing it, rather than needing to drive around collecting it. It is also lighter on the land compared to traditional slurry systems, causing less damage to the grass.

What kind of financial results has John Downey achieved with his system?

After a tough initial year due to the high capital expenditure, the system has proven successful, with Downey seeing steady progress in managing the farm more efficiently while maintaining profitability.