Thursday, July 24, 2008
Threat to NI dairy calf prices - Exports could be cut off due to TB problem
The recent discovery in Holland of 12 calves, imported from the UK, infected with TB could have serious consequences for dairy farmers in Northern Ireland. There is a real possibility that export of calves from NI to the Netherlands and Belgium could be stopped.
There has been no ban on the import of calves from the UK into Holland, but the SKV, the Dutch equivalent of Bord Bia, will not certify UK sourced calves for consumption.
This follows the case in which calves were exported from a farm in England, which later tested positive for TB.
The exported calves were under 42 days old and did not have to be tested before export. After the home farm in England tested positive, the calves were traced in Holland and 12 were found to have TB.
Dutch importers are now looking to source calves from other EU states. Meanwhile as the Farmers Journal went to press, the EU standing committee on the food chain and animal health (SCoFCAH) were meeting in Brussels to consider a Dutch proposal on banning exports of calves from the UK.
There has been no ban on the import of calves from the UK into Holland, but the SKV, the Dutch equivalent of Bord Bia, will not certify UK sourced calves for consumption.
This follows the case in which calves were exported from a farm in England, which later tested positive for TB.
The exported calves were under 42 days old and did not have to be tested before export. After the home farm in England tested positive, the calves were traced in Holland and 12 were found to have TB.
Dutch importers are now looking to source calves from other EU states. Meanwhile as the Farmers Journal went to press, the EU standing committee on the food chain and animal health (SCoFCAH) were meeting in Brussels to consider a Dutch proposal on banning exports of calves from the UK.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Dairy farm investment pays off
Moving a 150-cow herd to a green field site would be a daunting task for many farmers but that's just what Michael Bateman did in 2005. Three years later he is milking 235 cows, has put in place all the necessary facilities and learned a few lessons along the way.
With a total of €425,000 spent on the farm in the past three years, the Cork man was candid about what he spent his money on and why. For the first winter, the cows were kept on an out-wintering pad. At 7sqm/cow, Michael warned that he overloaded the pad but says, at the proper stocking rate of 12sqm/cow, the pads would "work a dream".
He approached the farm set up on a 'no frills' basis but refused to skimp on the areas that will return value for money. The 28-unit milking parlour is modest and without many of the possible added extras. The feeding system is a simple batch system.
On the other hand, Michael invested heavily in roadways and underpasses. At a cost of €30,000 for 3km of roadway and €75,000 for three underpasses, he is adamant that the labour requirement is vastly reduced by the investment.
With a total of €425,000 spent on the farm in the past three years, the Cork man was candid about what he spent his money on and why. For the first winter, the cows were kept on an out-wintering pad. At 7sqm/cow, Michael warned that he overloaded the pad but says, at the proper stocking rate of 12sqm/cow, the pads would "work a dream".
He approached the farm set up on a 'no frills' basis but refused to skimp on the areas that will return value for money. The 28-unit milking parlour is modest and without many of the possible added extras. The feeding system is a simple batch system.
On the other hand, Michael invested heavily in roadways and underpasses. At a cost of €30,000 for 3km of roadway and €75,000 for three underpasses, he is adamant that the labour requirement is vastly reduced by the investment.
New rules to open door to dairying: Milk quota for beef and tillage farmers
Under radical new proposals from the Department of Agriculture, beef and tillage farmers will be allowed to buy milk quota through the next round of the milk quota exchange.
The quota will be for the 2009/2010 milk production year, 25 years after milk quotas effectively locked all non-dairy farmers out of milk production in Ireland.
Apart from a few exceptions, purchasing a dairy farm with quota attached was the only option for entering dairying throughout that period.
The move is part of a series of policy measures aimed at preparing the Irish industry for the abolition of milk quotas across Europe in 2015.
While the IFA and Macra support the concept, the proposal will meet stiff opposition from the ICMSA. "We are against the proposal; there are still a lot of existing suppliers who need quota to remain viable,'' ICMSA president Jackie Cahill told the Irish Farmers Journal. "All you will do is push up the price of quota and restrict supply.''
Last week, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith signed into law the 2008 Milk Quota regulations, which radically reduced the restrictions on Milk Production Partnerships and allow milk quotas to be leased to companies controlled by farmers. The new rules also allow qualified farm managers to purchase quota and take it with them if they change jobs.
The first round of quota trading for the 2009/2010 milk production year is due to open for bids and offers this October. The Department of Agriculture will now propose that non-dairy farmers be allowed to bid for milk quota in this exchange. The aim of the measure is to facilitate the entry of new blood into the dairy industry, particularly those with large land banks of quality land.
The quota will be for the 2009/2010 milk production year, 25 years after milk quotas effectively locked all non-dairy farmers out of milk production in Ireland.
Apart from a few exceptions, purchasing a dairy farm with quota attached was the only option for entering dairying throughout that period.
The move is part of a series of policy measures aimed at preparing the Irish industry for the abolition of milk quotas across Europe in 2015.
While the IFA and Macra support the concept, the proposal will meet stiff opposition from the ICMSA. "We are against the proposal; there are still a lot of existing suppliers who need quota to remain viable,'' ICMSA president Jackie Cahill told the Irish Farmers Journal. "All you will do is push up the price of quota and restrict supply.''
Last week, Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith signed into law the 2008 Milk Quota regulations, which radically reduced the restrictions on Milk Production Partnerships and allow milk quotas to be leased to companies controlled by farmers. The new rules also allow qualified farm managers to purchase quota and take it with them if they change jobs.
The first round of quota trading for the 2009/2010 milk production year is due to open for bids and offers this October. The Department of Agriculture will now propose that non-dairy farmers be allowed to bid for milk quota in this exchange. The aim of the measure is to facilitate the entry of new blood into the dairy industry, particularly those with large land banks of quality land.
WORLD HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN CONFERENCE 2008 TIMETEBLE
WORLD HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN CONFERENCE 2008
INEC CONFERENCE CENTRE, GLENEAGLE HOTEL,
KILLARNEY, CO. KERRY, IRELAND
DAY 1: Thursday, 9th October 2008
Session 1: Ireland, Irish Agriculture & Holstein Friesians.
Chairman: Matt Dempsey
09.00h Opening & Welcome
M. Meers - Secretary General WHFF
K Flaman - Chairman WHFF
Mervyn Eager - President IHFA
09.30h Ireland & Irish Agriculture
Michael Dowling (Chief Agr Advisor, AIB)
09.40h Holstein Friesian Breeding in Ireland Kevin Dillon (Chief Executive, IHFA)
10.00h Questions and Answers
10.30h - 11.00h Coffee Break
Session 2: Quality Data for Optimum Management.
Chairman: Egbert Feddersen
11.00h How to organise and get use of a database in an emerging herdbook Dr. Leoncio Diz (Argentina)
11.20h Data for Breeding Profitable Holstein Friesians
Dr. Brian Wickham (ICBF)
11.40h Integrated IT solutions in-between farm management systems and global Holsteins Breedings - Stefan Rensing (VIT German)
12.00h Questions and Answers
12.30h - 13.30h LUNCH
Session 3: New Tools for Genetic Progress.
Chairman: Matthew Shaffer
13.30h Automating Heat Detection
Dr. Edmond Harty (Dairymaster, Ireland)
13.50h To Sex or not to Sex, that is the Question!
Dr. Richard Williams (Cogent UK)
14.10h Geonomic Selection
Richard Spellman (LIC, New Zealand)14.30h
Questions and Answers
15.00h - 15.30h Coffee Break
Session 4: Working together the Breeder and the Scientist.
Chairman: John Meyer
15.30h Where Science and the Show Ring Meet Dr. Doreen Corridan (Irl)15.50h A Nutritional Solution to match the performance and profit potential of genetically improved Holsteins
Prof David Beever (UK & Keenan Scientific Advisory Board)
16.10h White Gold, Liquid Gold, It's the cow stupid.
Peter O'Connor (World PR Manager, Baileys Irl.)
16.30h Questions and Answers
17.00h Conference Ends
DAY 2: Friday, 10th October 2008
Session 5: A Holistic Approach to Improvement in Dairy Cow Fertility Chairman: Felipe Ruiz
09.00h Components & Auxilliary traits of dairy cow fertility: The Genetic View Prof Hermann Swalve, University of Halle, Germany
09.20h Improving fertility through management and genetics
Dr. Tom Lawlor, Director of Research, Holstein USA
09.40h Nutritional Management of High Genetic Cows
Dr. Finbar Mulligan (UCD)
10.00h Questions and Answers
10.30h - 11.00h Coffee Break
Session 6: The Holstein Friesian– maximising her potential.
Chairman: Liam Curran, Chairman IHFA.
11.00h Delivering Nutritional Solutions to Prevent Metabolic Disorders Martin Kavanagh MVB (Keenan Veterinary Director)11.20h Breeding Functional Cows Dr. Gordon Atkins (Canada)11.40h The role of the Pedigree Breeder Hank VanExel (USA)12.00h Questions and Answers
12.30h – 13.30h LUNCH & End of Conference
13.30h – 17.00h GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INEC CONFERENCE CENTRE, GLENEAGLE HOTEL,
KILLARNEY, CO. KERRY, IRELAND
DAY 1: Thursday, 9th October 2008
Session 1: Ireland, Irish Agriculture & Holstein Friesians.
Chairman: Matt Dempsey
09.00h Opening & Welcome
M. Meers - Secretary General WHFF
K Flaman - Chairman WHFF
Mervyn Eager - President IHFA
09.30h Ireland & Irish Agriculture
Michael Dowling (Chief Agr Advisor, AIB)
09.40h Holstein Friesian Breeding in Ireland Kevin Dillon (Chief Executive, IHFA)
10.00h Questions and Answers
10.30h - 11.00h Coffee Break
Session 2: Quality Data for Optimum Management.
Chairman: Egbert Feddersen
11.00h How to organise and get use of a database in an emerging herdbook Dr. Leoncio Diz (Argentina)
11.20h Data for Breeding Profitable Holstein Friesians
Dr. Brian Wickham (ICBF)
11.40h Integrated IT solutions in-between farm management systems and global Holsteins Breedings - Stefan Rensing (VIT German)
12.00h Questions and Answers
12.30h - 13.30h LUNCH
Session 3: New Tools for Genetic Progress.
Chairman: Matthew Shaffer
13.30h Automating Heat Detection
Dr. Edmond Harty (Dairymaster, Ireland)
13.50h To Sex or not to Sex, that is the Question!
Dr. Richard Williams (Cogent UK)
14.10h Geonomic Selection
Richard Spellman (LIC, New Zealand)14.30h
Questions and Answers
15.00h - 15.30h Coffee Break
Session 4: Working together the Breeder and the Scientist.
Chairman: John Meyer
15.30h Where Science and the Show Ring Meet Dr. Doreen Corridan (Irl)15.50h A Nutritional Solution to match the performance and profit potential of genetically improved Holsteins
Prof David Beever (UK & Keenan Scientific Advisory Board)
16.10h White Gold, Liquid Gold, It's the cow stupid.
Peter O'Connor (World PR Manager, Baileys Irl.)
16.30h Questions and Answers
17.00h Conference Ends
DAY 2: Friday, 10th October 2008
Session 5: A Holistic Approach to Improvement in Dairy Cow Fertility Chairman: Felipe Ruiz
09.00h Components & Auxilliary traits of dairy cow fertility: The Genetic View Prof Hermann Swalve, University of Halle, Germany
09.20h Improving fertility through management and genetics
Dr. Tom Lawlor, Director of Research, Holstein USA
09.40h Nutritional Management of High Genetic Cows
Dr. Finbar Mulligan (UCD)
10.00h Questions and Answers
10.30h - 11.00h Coffee Break
Session 6: The Holstein Friesian– maximising her potential.
Chairman: Liam Curran, Chairman IHFA.
11.00h Delivering Nutritional Solutions to Prevent Metabolic Disorders Martin Kavanagh MVB (Keenan Veterinary Director)11.20h Breeding Functional Cows Dr. Gordon Atkins (Canada)11.40h The role of the Pedigree Breeder Hank VanExel (USA)12.00h Questions and Answers
12.30h – 13.30h LUNCH & End of Conference
13.30h – 17.00h GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Open Day Results 2008
IHFA Open Day was held at Clongowes College Farm, Clane, Co. Kildare on Thursday 26th June '08. Here the results National Herds Competition 2008 were announced and were as follows:
Over 70 Cow Section:
1. Kevin Flynn, Rearyvalley, Rosenallis, Portlaoise, Co. Laois "Reary" Herd
2. Paul Hannan, Friarstown, Crecora, Co. Limerick. "Lisnalty" Herd
3. Victor Jackson, Crossnacole, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow " Crossnacole" Herd
Under 70 Cow Section:
1. Richard Whelan, Towlaght, Clonard, Co. Meath. "Lumville" Herd
2. David Boyd, Mullaghduff, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan "Glaslough" Herd
3. Michael Nolan, Coolnamara, Borris, Co. Carlow "Coolnamara" Herd
Spring Calving Section:
1. Eamon McLoughney, Ardcroney, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary "Ballythomas" Herd
2. Padraig Floyd, Kellystown, Slane, Co. Meath. "Haypicher" Herd
3. Noel Kehoe, Battletown, Ramsgrane, New Ross, Co. Wexford "Cathu" Herd
The results of the Interclub Stockjudging Competition 2008 which was held on the day was as follows:
Over 30 Teams:
1. Kerry (T. Kirby, T. Maunsell, P. Kennelly) 3940 points
2. North Eastern (P. Tuite, T. Daly. D. Dunleavy) 3794 points
3. Carlow / Kilkenny (E. Coleman, S. Gibbons, T. Murphy) 3758 points
18-30 Teams:
1. Cork (J. Crowley, J. Webb, T. Crowley) 3730 points
2. Carlow/Kilkenny (T. Mulhall, S. Murphy, P. Murphy) 3714 points
3. Breffni / Oriel (J. Greenan, B. Greenan, F. McAdam) 3676 points
Under 18 Teams:
1. Cork (M. White, R. White, D. Murphy) 3694 points
2. Laois/Offaly (W. Neville, E. Neville, A. Neville) 3678 points
3. Slaney (L. Sinnott, N. Fortune, I. Kavanagh) 3546 points
Over 30 Individual:
Roy Cromie (Donegal) 1342 points
18-30 Individual:
Padraic Murphy (Carlow/Kilkenny) 1300 points
Under 18 Individual:
Enda Neville (Laois/Offaly) 1290 points
Over 70 Cow Section:
1. Kevin Flynn, Rearyvalley, Rosenallis, Portlaoise, Co. Laois "Reary" Herd
2. Paul Hannan, Friarstown, Crecora, Co. Limerick. "Lisnalty" Herd
3. Victor Jackson, Crossnacole, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow " Crossnacole" Herd
Under 70 Cow Section:
1. Richard Whelan, Towlaght, Clonard, Co. Meath. "Lumville" Herd
2. David Boyd, Mullaghduff, Glaslough, Co. Monaghan "Glaslough" Herd
3. Michael Nolan, Coolnamara, Borris, Co. Carlow "Coolnamara" Herd
Spring Calving Section:
1. Eamon McLoughney, Ardcroney, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary "Ballythomas" Herd
2. Padraig Floyd, Kellystown, Slane, Co. Meath. "Haypicher" Herd
3. Noel Kehoe, Battletown, Ramsgrane, New Ross, Co. Wexford "Cathu" Herd
The results of the Interclub Stockjudging Competition 2008 which was held on the day was as follows:
Over 30 Teams:
1. Kerry (T. Kirby, T. Maunsell, P. Kennelly) 3940 points
2. North Eastern (P. Tuite, T. Daly. D. Dunleavy) 3794 points
3. Carlow / Kilkenny (E. Coleman, S. Gibbons, T. Murphy) 3758 points
18-30 Teams:
1. Cork (J. Crowley, J. Webb, T. Crowley) 3730 points
2. Carlow/Kilkenny (T. Mulhall, S. Murphy, P. Murphy) 3714 points
3. Breffni / Oriel (J. Greenan, B. Greenan, F. McAdam) 3676 points
Under 18 Teams:
1. Cork (M. White, R. White, D. Murphy) 3694 points
2. Laois/Offaly (W. Neville, E. Neville, A. Neville) 3678 points
3. Slaney (L. Sinnott, N. Fortune, I. Kavanagh) 3546 points
Over 30 Individual:
Roy Cromie (Donegal) 1342 points
18-30 Individual:
Padraic Murphy (Carlow/Kilkenny) 1300 points
Under 18 Individual:
Enda Neville (Laois/Offaly) 1290 points
Mr. Sam - World opinion.
With Mr. Sam 2nd Crop coming through lets look at what breeders are saying.
"I saw the group at the German Open Show, nice cows well attached udders, legs could have been better. (being a Durham son)" - German Farmer
"Their stronger point are the udders , good functional cows , compact , sqare with strong top , we saw some in our regional shows and they do fine." - US Farmer
"Saw a few here and there and there really sweet heifers. Perhaps a bull we missed." - UK Farmer
So to sum up quick, good udders, careful of legs and feet and all round better than average bull.
"I saw the group at the German Open Show, nice cows well attached udders, legs could have been better. (being a Durham son)" - German Farmer
"Their stronger point are the udders , good functional cows , compact , sqare with strong top , we saw some in our regional shows and they do fine." - US Farmer
"Saw a few here and there and there really sweet heifers. Perhaps a bull we missed." - UK Farmer
So to sum up quick, good udders, careful of legs and feet and all round better than average bull.
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