Sustainability measures on the Walsh Family Farm
John and Brendan Walsh were the winners of the Grassland Farmer of the Year 2021 in the Clover/Sustainability Category. At the recent farm walk on October 4th they gave detailed information on the measures they have taken to make their farm more sustainable.
Habitat and Biodiversity Improvement
Two years ago 250m of hedgerow was plantedon the farm. It is planned to plant a further 250m – 300m in 2023. This hedge will divide a field currently with three paddocks into two eight acre paddocks
Their BordBia Biodiversity Score is – 14%. There is six acres of a previously commercial forest which now consists of mainly silver birch and alder. This once included will enhance the current biodiversity score
Nutrient management
Protected urea is the main chemical fertiliser used, with a very small percentage of 10 -10 -20 or 18 – 6 – 12. Nitrogen use efficiency has risen from 32% in 2021 to an estimated 41% in 2022. The main contributing factor to this improvement was the reduction in chemical nitrogen. In 2021 it was 165kg/ha it is now 135 kg/ha.
Walshes spread all their own fertiliser avoiding gateways, around drinking troughs and areas where the cows congregate. They have recently purchased a GPS system this ensures there is no overlapping and reduces the amount being spread.
Carbon Footprint
The farm has relatively low meal feeding at 400kg. This is lower than national average of around 1.2 tonne. John and Brendan plan to lower this further.
There is a good carbon footprint on the farm. In 2021 the NFS indicated 0.64 kg of carbon per kg of fat and protein. This was down from 0.77 kg of carbon the previous year. 0Dairygold coop are targeting an average of 0.7 to 0.75kg carbon for their farms.
Breeding
Sexed semen now being used to get better heifers from better animals by selecting the best cows and heifers. Breeding less dairy beef bulls as 50% of cows are in calf to beef.
Overall Farm Sustainability
- Pasture based milk production
- Days at grass: 280 – 290
- Clover incorporation – 63% of farm with clover, majority from reseeding. Target of 85% clover by 2025
- Habitat areas – biodiversity improvement
- Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) – 32% in 2021. Estimated at 41% for 2022
- Nutrient management - Protected urea, LESS, avoiding soiled areas with fertiliser.
- Soil fertility – Soil pH and liming programme P and K index of 3 or better
Herd Sustainability
- Herd EBI €184.
- Herd longevity and Survivality – high 6 week calving rate – 90%
- Milk solids output – 525kg/MS/cow
- Low meal input – in 2021, 740kg/cow. 2022 estimate 830kg/cow
- High animal welfare standards - Sexed semen being used.
- Milk quality – high standard.
Overall they can tick most of the boxes on the Teagasc ’12 steps for dairy farmers to reduce gaseous emissions’.
Other useful information
Grazing management to prevent bloat