Dairy Chitchat 4, an udder new thread.

I actually believe that the 220 will go just the same as the 250 did. I hate to admit it but I have began to put more work into developing my off farm career alongside streamlining the farm to make it less labour intensive. I ran the sums last night at 170kgs/N/Ha. On 54 Ha I can carry 80 cows, 15 bulling heifers, 15 heifer calves and 3 bulls. That leaves me at about 162kgs/N, so a little wiggle room in the system for keeping calves to 6 weeks etc if needed. That is definitely the road I am going down here and forgetting derogation, beef stock etc. Less fert, less slurry, less work and take on a small bit more off farm work.

I understand that option of off farm income is not available to all on here for various different reasons, but we all have to assess our own situation and do what suits.

What do you plan to do in a non derogation scenario? From reading your posts you seem to be in a Similar scenario to ourselves at home. When In 2026 if derogation goes which looks likely we would be forced to cut to around 95 cows and look at contract rearing replacements operating off roughly 130 owned acres and without current rented land factored in because who knows what will happen that now.

We are milking up on 120 this year how many people here took over milking cows and straight away reduced the herd by 25% and to top it off not able to keep any dry stock of any kind. With all this uncertainty what is there to encourage a young person like myself to take 3 steps backwards and 1 step forward by going home full time in years to come?

95 hectares here between rented and owned, all heifers contract reared. What can I milk at 220 or no derogation? Currently putting a ring on the slurry tower as it's the cheapest route for xtra storage

I’ll be gone as the prospect of getting ground locally is fairly scarce when it goes to 170.but then I guess the average lad milking 80 cows is only in the way.

kinda sad that it’s come to this that after 25 yrs of milking and trying to better the place and yourself you can be thrown to the wolves.a scary prospect of being mid 40’s and wondering what I’ll be at in a few yrs time

If they saw the attitudes here they wouldn't be long bypassing 170N straight to 130N.

The real issue here, and it can't be stressed enough, is that derogation depends on water quality which is assessed by EPA - the same EPA who showed their true colours last month via twitter/X.

This bias could end up affecting thousands of lives if not addressed, our waters could be crystal clear but the EPA cannot be trusted to give an objective recommendation any longer.

I’m looking at the prospect of having to get out of cows if it goes down to 170.milking 80 on 85 owned and 40 rented.not much rented ground coming up close by either and if it does in past couple of yrs it’s crazy money.would have to cut down dramatically after 2026 to I reckon 50 to 60 cows and not much replacements of my own.

kinda sad that this is now what happening all at the alter of climate change/following the science mantra .I don’t want to quit but if it’s unviable to milk just 50 to standstill then what’s the point.glad now I didn’t in past yr go ahead with upgrading the milking parlour and putting in new machine with the bells and whistles.

They do, majority aren't grazing based systems tho

EPA Red Map:

EPA Surveillance map (A) for reporting to EU vs operational (B) for internal reporting

Using the (b) Operational surveillance sites the EPA has produced a details breakdown of targeted measures required in different areas:

Fairly clear from the map that Nitrates is a problem for a number of counties but how the hell did we end up with what's looks like a country wide band. Should their not be targeted measures according to the issue in the area. Large portions of the country dont have any issue with nitrates or phosphorus.

Second - with increasing population and insufficient infrastructure in place to deal with sewage we are gaurentees to be heading to 170kg/ha as once again the farmer will be blamed.

That guy hasn’t a clue. The Seine catchment is in tillage since Roman times!

Tillage feeds the world, not dairy.

Follow me. I was ridiculed and lambasted here over a decade ago when posters were advising on how to kill clover in swards etc…now you’d swear to fcuk that ye just invented legumes!

It’s quite annoying when Politicians/EPA/IFA etc get the blame for shyte that ye did. Fair dues to the commission for calling a halt.

I suggested to Teagasc to send over a couple of open minded students with shorts, sandals and a notebook…I could hear the laughing from here! That’s ended well.

If you need to follow some guru on twitter then follow someone that farms over 1000ha organically. They’re the most progressive farmers I know of.

Btw, they’re only testing water for N & P with ye, they run a staggering list of tests here for all sorts. Evian water has been found to have Chlorothalonil…a fungicide banned since 2020 etc etc.

ZZZZZZZ, you want me to post some videos of shyte being spread on waterlogged fields out of season?

I’m not allowed to spread any fert or organic manures from June to October. Artificial fert dates go from 10th March to end of May, and I’m only allowed use 45u/ac for the year. I could go on…and on.

I'll meet you in Enniscorthy right now if you want?

*think you've the wrong poster.

Hahaha ya it was ment for the know it all from France! Apologies

Like your views on lots of things dwag but your farming multiples of acres more than the biggest of us here and your obviously gone from rural Ireland a long time …..we’ve spent huge money on compliance here and are continuing to do so for better water and enviro standards whilst far worse polluters than any farmer get a pass …..dero will go here unless we get politicians with a backbone and our lobby groups go Dutch style ……honest hard working compliant farm families will see there livelihoods wiped out and rural Ireland towns and villages will suffer