Innovative Dairy Practices Enhance Productivity in County Kerry
Tom Roche manages a dairy farm near Castleisland in County Kerry, milking 150 cows. Recently, he transitioned to once-a-day milking, achieving 13 liters per cow with 5% fat and 4.43% protein. This shift was made after a period of night housing in September due to weather conditions.
The farm spans approximately 150 acres, with an additional 50 acres leased for heifer rearing and silage, maintaining a stocking rate of 2.5 livestock units per hectare. The land quality varies, featuring limestone and bog sections that help mitigate drought effects. Soil nutrient levels are moderate, with some fields high in potassium due to slurry application.
Breeding practices on the farm are advanced, with Roche's herd ranking in the top 10% for Economic Breeding Index (EBI). The use of MooMonitor collars and drafting gates has facilitated the use of 100% sexed semen, achieving a 60% conception rate and a 93% six-week calving interval in 2025. Roche maintains a 20% replacement rate, culling cows with high somatic cell counts or other issues.
Roche has been reseeding 20 acres annually with red clover, which he reports as successful despite challenges with white clover persistency. He continues to apply around 20 units of nitrogen per field post-grazing. His farm infrastructure includes a 12-unit double-up Dairymaster parlour, enabling efficient milking operations.
Future plans involve forming a formal partnership with David O'Leary, aiming to expand the herd over 200 cows, enhancing the farm's resilience. There are also considerations for Tom's son, Colm, to join the management team in the future.
