Introduction

• We are farming in the foothills of Slievenaman close to Carrick On Suir, Co. Tippperary

• 80 feet above sea level

• I am married to Sinead and we have 3 children

• My parents also live on the home farm

• Started farming in 2000

• In 2009 – We were lucky to be selected to be part of the Greenfield Dairy farm Programme.

• Expanded from 80 cows & a beef enterprise to 280 dairy cows.

• Rainfall in 2012 was 961mm

• Borrowed €510k to fund the development.

• Why? To provide a more sustainable business.

Summary of Development2007 80 cows + beef enterprise

2008 120 cows + phased out beef, started development plan

2009130 cows + planning permission, gathered prices, purchased heifers,started development work

2010 210 cows + new milking parlour, new paddock layout

2011 230 cows + system ‘bedding in’

2012275 cows + improving efficiencies, improved heifer rearing, financial skills

Leased Farm(2) 28ha (2 miles)

Leased farm(1) 12.5ha (1 mile)

Owned Out farm(3) 20ha(12 miles)

Proposed Underpass

Dairy Milking Area(74Ha)

Farmyard

Soil Fertility Status - 2010

P Status K Status

Index 211%

Index 146%

Index 310%

Index 433%

Index 423%

Index 361%

Index 216%

Average ph 5.5

Farmyard

Stock Numbers & Stocking Rate

Stocking Rate

Cow No. 0-1yrs(Heifers)

1-2yrs (Heifers)

2012 3.68 272 96 80

2011 3.12 230 99 73

2010 2.84 210 104 113

Grass Production

• Grew 14 T Dm /Ha in 2012

• 13.7 Tonnes DM/ha(91%) utilised in 2012

• 254 Kgs Concentrate fed/cow

Grass Growth Rates 2012

• Insert the graph2012 Demand/ha = Growth Rate/ha from:

0102030405060708090

100

31/0

1/12

14/0

2/12

28/0

2/12

13/0

3/12

27/0

3/12

10/0

4/12

24/0

4/12

08/0

5/12

22/0

5/12

05/0

6/12

19/0

6/12

03/0

7/12

17/0

7/12

31/0

7/12

14/0

8/12

28/0

8/12

11/0

9/12

25/0

9/12

09/1

0/12

23/1

0/12

06/1

1/12

20/1

1/12

End SeptEarly May

Milk Solids Prodn. Per Month 2010-2012

020004000

60008000

1000012000

1400016000

Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

kgs Milk Solids 2012

kgs Milk Solids 2011

kgs Milk Solids 2010

Milk Solids Production(kgs Milk solids produced/Ha)

691

1091

1272

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2010 2011 2012

Fertility

• 6% Not In Calf after 12 weeks of breeding

• Start date of calving 9th February 2012 (Start date of calving 3rd February 2013)

• 80% calved in 6 weeks 2012

• 89% Submission rate(24days)2012

• Herd EBI €131

Things we got right √

• Making the change

• Mentors

• Planning

• Mindset

• Willingness to Change

• Labour

• Contractors

• Procedures

Things we got right √

Things we got right √

• Contingency

• Prioritise spending

• Stock

• Price inflation

• Loan Structure

Things we got wrong

• Timing & weather

• Work organisation

• Monitoring Expansion Costs

Things we got wrong X

Things we got wrong

• Farm Operational budget

• Extra jobs / add on’s

• Finance in place

Things we got wrong X

Lessons learned along the way

• Things take longer

• Looks ≠ profit

• Continuous learning & improvement

• Family help

• Family support & understanding

• Know your business & targets

• Jan – Complete profit monitor & compare against other Kildalton group members.

• Jan – Prepare monthly Cash Flow Budget/quick books)

• Each month – Input my expenditure & receipts.

• Each quarter – Financial review.

• Dec – Annual financial review.

Cash flow & Financial Management

In Summary

• Phase 1 Planning

• Phase 2 Development

• Phase 3 Settling In (Improving farm performance e.g. soil fertility, heifer rearing, cash

flow)