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Fintan Rice Fethard Co. Tipperary Organic Dairy Farmer. Before Conversion 1998. 185 acres 40 cows – 180,000 litres 100% spring calving 30 acres tillage All calves to beef and some bought in. Conversion Process. Dropped tillage and planted 75 acres forestry
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Fintan Rice Fethard Co. Tipperary Organic Dairy Farmer
Before Conversion 1998 • 185 acres • 40 cows – 180,000 litres • 100% spring calving • 30 acres tillage • All calves to beef and some bought in
Conversion Process • Dropped tillage and planted 75 acres forestry • Used tillage rotation to reseed • Oversowed pasture with clover • 30% autumn calving – second year in conversion
Current Situation 2009 • 100 acres grassland • 65 cows 75% autumn calving • 360,000 litres organic milk sold • Herd EBI €86 Calves €103 • Heifers contract reared
Grassland Management • Out by day 18th February • Out day and night 14th March • Currently feeding 5kg oats/beans • End of first rotation 10-12th April • Housing ~20th November – first paddocks closed 20th September
Breeding Policy • British Friesian – New Zealand Friesian • Crossed with Scandinavian Reds then back to Jersey • Now considering genomic selected cross bred semen
Performance Indicators • Stocking Rate 1.69 LU/ha • Protein 3.44% • Fat 3.95% • Kg milk solids/cow 455kg • Replacement Rate 16%