CAFRE farm walks will highlight challenges and opportunities for local dairy farms

Date published: 25 May 2022

The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) are hosting a series of four on-farm events for dairy farmers on Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 June.

David Hunter with CAFRE Dairy Adviser Trevor Alcorn discussing the impact grass measurement can have on quality and yield in the run up to events on David’s farm in Newtownstewart.

The events will be hosted in Coleraine, Newry, Newtownstewart and Aughnacloy and are open to all farmers. There will be an opportunity to attend each farm at two time slots, 11.00am and 1:00pm. A complimentary lunch will be provided at 12.30pm.

At these events, CAFRE Advisers will be addressing challenges and opportunities currently facing the local dairy industry.

Topics will include:

  • Management of dairy production costs
  • Costs of feeding the dairy cow
  • Grazing management
  • Soil fertility and grassland performance
  • Reseeding and clover

Encouraging farmers to attend, Don Morrow, Head of Dairy Branch at CAFRE highlights: “This year is very challenging for dairy farmers. Escalating costs are causing concern among the farming community. It is essential that farmers maximise the use of grass and silage and try to reduce the reliance on purchased feeds. These events offer the opportunity to see at first-hand how local farmers are coping in this difficult year. The event will cover how to maximise grass growth and utilisation and reseeding, with particular emphasis on improving soil fertility. The events will also focus on measuring and monitoring costs and what opportunities there are to make savings.”

In the interests of biosecurity, those attending are asked to wear clean clothing not previously worn while in direct contact with their own animals. Protective overalls and footwear will be provided.

For further details, visit the CAFRE website.

 

Date

Venue

Tuesday 7th June

Geoffrey Malcomson
22 Ringclare Road, Donaghmore, NEWRY, BT34 1RY

Wednesday 8th June

Matthew Workman
60 Moneybrannon Road, Aghadowey, COLERAINE, BT51 4AA

Tuesday 14th June

Philip Kyle
14 Carnteel Road, AUCHNACLOY, BT69 6DU

Wednesday 15th June

David Hunter
43 Droit Road, NEWTOWNSTEWART, BT78 4DS

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