Patrick Fortune maintains farm performance during Wexford drought
Fortune is producing an average of 6,453 litres of milk per cow, with milk containing 4.52% fat and 3.86% protein. That equates to 545kg of milk solids per cow, compared with 5,361 litres, 4.41% fat, 3.63% protein and 444kg of milk solids for the average Tirlán supplier.
Between 2023 and 2025, Fortune received an average milk price of 50.5 cents per litre. The corresponding Tirlán average was 49.2 cents per litre, leaving Fortune’s output at €621 per cow per year above the group average.
On Friday, August 7, the herd was producing 1.89kg of milk solids per day from 22.5 litres per cow. The animals were receiving 4.5kg of meal and 4kg of silage, alongside grazing. Data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation showed that 941 milk-recorded herds averaged 1.66kg of milk solids per day between July 28 and August 7. Their average milk volume was 21.57kg, with 4.6% fat and 3.55% protein.
Fortune’s herd has an average Economic Breeding Index of €150. All replacement heifers are bred through artificial insemination, and 97% of heifer calves calve between 22 and 26 months of age. The median calving date is February 4, while 85% of the herd calves within six weeks. Cows are in milk for an average of 292 days each year and spend an average of 255 days at grass.
Grass on the farm remained relatively green during the drought. Fortune carried high grass covers into July, and his average farm cover stood at 524kg of dry matter per hectare on August 7. The grazing platform is stocked at 2.73 livestock units per hectare; growth was 22kg of dry matter per hectare during the week, against demand of 27kg. Pre-grazing yield was 1,300kg of dry matter per hectare with a 34-day rotation. Six paddocks were close to 1,000kg of dry matter per hectare, three were between 600kg and 800kg, and 19 were below 600kg.
Fortune is preparing a fodder budget for 185 milking cows, 135 weanlings, including beef stock, and 41 yearlings. The calculation indicates a requirement for 2,218 tonnes of silage for a five-month winter, equivalent to 2,440 bales. He has also installed a 10,000-litre water tank and a booster pump. Cow water consumption can rise above 100 litres per day, and the new equipment is intended to keep troughs supplied after milking and reduce demand on the farm’s well.
FarmElevate was launched by Tirlán and Teagasc the previous month as a farmer-led knowledge-transfer programme. Its stated areas include profitability, grassland management, herd performance, soil fertility, nutrient efficiency, sustainability, farm resilience and milk solids. The programme has eight demonstration, or “lighthouse”, farms and 200 development farms known as Elevate farms. At the inaugural farm walk, specialists discussed drought management, changes to animal diets, slurry storage and buffer zones.
