A significant increase in farm building costs has been the greatest challenge confronting Co Down farmer, Philp Truesdale.
He explained: “All of this kicked off five years ago when we made the decision to convert to milk”
“At the outset, concrete cost £60 per cubic metre: now the price has risen to £110. This has had a real impact of the cash flow within the business.
“We have had to invest significantly in the infrastructure of the farm: new cubicle sheds and other buildings.
“And this process will continue. But it all comes at a very significant cost.”
Farming costs
Philip characterises the last five years as a period of mixed fortunes.
“We have had two bad years, two middling years, and one good year,’ he said.
“The hike in fertiliser prices that kicked in around the time that we pushed ahead with the conversion has also impacted heavily on our cash flow.”
Philip recently hosted a visit for members of the Uklster Grassland Society.
He told Agriland that the continuing threat of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is also an issue when it comes to looking at further increases in cow numbers on the farm.
Philip said: “We have the capacity on the farm to cope with an increase in animal numbers.
“But it’s the extra stress that would be created for everyone working in the business if we did come down with bTB. And I don’t want that.
“We have looked at investing in labour-saving devices whenever and wherever possible. Heat detection is a case in point.”
The use of sexed semen has been a game-changer on the Truesdale farm. A total of 35 heifers calved down to sexed straws at the outset.
“And the technology works. We only use sexed semen on the cows now with an Angus bull sweeping up,” Philip explained.
“Heat detection collars are used on the cows as a matter of routine.”
Philip said the adaption of this technology has been a major labour-saving development.
“I no longer need to run around at night, checking to see cows in heat.
“Everything is now done off the phone. If the app tells me to inseminate, it’s done, whether or not the animal has been in seen in heat.”
Philip added that taking this approach has knocked weeks off the herd’s calving interval.
“Throughout the breeding season, I check my phone first thing. It could be telling me that five cows are in heat.
“I might have seen three of them standing, but the others: no.
“But the main point is this: the technology works on a consistent basis,” the Co. Down farmer stated.
