In this week’s dairy segment, That’s Farming, speaks to Laois farmer, Bruce Thompson, from Camcloone Dairy Limited. He discusses recovering from a TB outbreak, calving heifers at 24-months-old, breeding a smaller cow with a target of 550kgs of milk solids and a passion for dung beetles.
Losing 48 cows out of 52 to a TB outbreak 20 years ago almost caused dairy farmer, Ian Thompson, to“throw in the towel”.
His son, Bruce Thompson, left automobile engineering in Cork IT to take the farm’s reins when his father discussed this possibility. His father farmed 52 dairy cows, 40 ewes, and 54 beef cattle.
“I came home, took one look at the sheep, and I said it is either them or me, so the sheep went. I had no grá for them, I suppose,” Bruce Thompson, who is married to Laura, told That’s Farming.
He later completed a Teagasc farm management course at Gurteen Agricultural College and Kildalton Agricultural College, securing a Green Certificate.
“There was not much talk or commitment for the abolition of milk quotas, and the same drive or dynamic was not in the dairy industry at the time,” the Laois native said.
“Many people were not actively encouraged to go into dairy farming. As a result, the number of people getting into dairy farming was very small in a small way.”
Laois dairy farmer
In 2012, Bruce took over Camcloone Dairy Limited, in its entirety, employing his father and farm manager, Nick Berry. The farm spans 380-acres in size with leased and owned land.
The enterprise comprises a 300-cow herd and 160 youngstock, mainly Jersey-crosses with some crossed to British Friesian and others 100% Holstein Friesian.
“We did not know milk quotas were being abolished until around 2009/2010, and that spurred us on to get moving.”
“We had a great interest in dairy farming, and it was not all about money. It was the most reliable source of income of the farming we were at.”
“We concentrated on it. Land became available, and we converted our land from beef to dairying, which left us with more opportunities.”
Building up cow numbers
Bruce’s father secured milk through Bruce being a new dairy entrant and the bidding system during the closing years of milk quotas. These measures brought cow numbers up to 120.
Almost 100% of the older cows go back to a Holstein Friesian crossed to British Friesian, which, Ian, started with as a former IHFA member.
The family kept heifers as replacements until they increased numbers to 260 cows. Then, they bought 40 heifers this year, bringing numbers to 300 cows.
Bruce acquired additional heifers to stock a recently purchased parcel of land.
“The opportunity arose. I am finding I have less work to do with more animals as you are more inclined to delegate jobs out to other workers.”
“But, there was an opportunity there to make a better way of life out of it, so we took it.”
“We were busier when we had 54 beef cattle and sheep than we are now with our 300 dairy cows; the days were much longer.”
Breed choice
Bruce chose Jersey-cross-Friesians because of their high milk solids, ease of calving, mobility, and higher milk prices.
Their diet comprises 600-700kgs of concentrates per annum, along with grass or grass silage.
Bruce noticed prices for bull calves dropping consistently over the last number of years. “If people cannot afford to pay for them, then we cannot afford to keep them for free.”
This enticed him to find the active bull list online with no breed in mind, but a low volume of milk, a high level of solids, and a smaller cow.
“If a smaller cow can produce the same amount of milk solids as a big cow, then you are quids in.”
“For example, if an animal is 150kg less and putting the same amount of milk in the tank, that is 150kg less that cow has to maintain.”
“If you put that cross a herd of 300 cows that is 45T every day that has to be fed. It is extra grass, meal, and drinking water, harder on hooves and less efficient.”
“It is putting more methane gases into the environment, so you are using more resources. It is the equivalent of feeding an extra 80 cows on the farm.”
“We are getting almost 50/c/L for milk at present. You will not get that when it is watery milk, even though you might have the same milk solids.”
“You are getting more money when it is at higher constituent percentages. It is sugary water, and it takes energy to put that milk into the tank. It must be cooled, transported, and all those processes.”
Performance
Bruce’s 2020 co-op report showed that his herd delivered 463kgs of milk solids per cow at 3.72% protein, 4.64% fat, with 463kg milk solids, SCC of 130 plus a TBC under 10.
The herd’s current figures are 5.25% butterfat, 4.14% protein, an SCC of 150 and a TBC of 6. 1kg of concentrates achieves these figures for Bruce.
The herd aims for a female with a mature cow weight of 490-500kgs.
“One of the most important jobs is managing grass, getting quality of grass in front of you the whole time and keeping it at the right stage. We measure once a week, depending on grass growth.”
Breeding and calving programme
They use 100% AI on the dairy cows, and the farm advocates a CIDR programme for heifers. Bruce places CIDRs into 60-80 heifers ten days before AI and, on day seven, removes them. All heifers are AI’d the one day, with two bulls introduced.
He observes heifers for heat detection on week three; they are then AI’d and removed from the bulls for a few days.
He uses AI sires including LIC, OKT, JE2048, JE5592, JE5061, JE6238, FR5803, FR5530, and FR5249.
“Calving mainly takes place in February over nine weeks with very little assistance. So, 88% of calving takes place in six weeks.” His calving interval is 368 days.
“We look to maximise peak grass growth (spring-calving, grass-based system) in May to coincide with cows’ peak milk yield.”
“So, milk producing more grass is what we are looking at and getting as much grass in their diet while they are lactating.”
On-farm sales
Bruce sells 60 heifers on-farm and retains 65-70 heifers to calve down at two-years-old.
“They have to calve at the same time of the year as our cows. So, if they do not calve then, you are going to have to add another 12 months to it, which is expensive; it is inefficient.”
The farm is now in its eight-year selling bull calves off-farm at bucket-fed stage.
“I am very happy selling on-farm; it has been the best way of managing the herd. Furthermore, I do not like bringing animals to the mart mixing animals with other animals and bringing them home if I am not happy with the price; it is a buyer hazard. I was happy to get away from that.”
“I am happy enough with the prices. If people are interested, they will come to look at them and try to do a deal.”
“You build up a relationship with a purchaser through off-farm sales, which is the other thing.”
Infrastructure and technology
Three years ago, the farm installed a Waikato 40-unit rotary milking parlour, having previously used a 12-unit Herringbone milking parlour. Milking takes place morning and evening for over 75-minutes.
Other farm infrastructures include a 150-cow cubicle shed, a 150-cubicle cow shed outdoors, and a selection of straw bedded sheds for calving and housing calves.
As part of his expansion journey, Bruce, an O’Moore Teagasc discussion group member, noted that continuous fencing and implementing roadways/pipe systems are paramount.
Bruces uses Agrinet HerdApp farm management software and the PastureBase Ireland app for data recording.
Dung beetles
The Laois dairy farmer is very vocal on why dung beetles need to be included in Irish farming to manage parasites.
“I feel they are both a gateway drug for ecology and a good indicator of species to show the impact that a particular farm is having on its environment.”
“They also return positives to the farm as biological control methods for animal pests and contribute positively to the soil.”
Future of dairy farming
Bruce shared his view on the future of dairy farming.
“I believe we are the best country in the world to produce milk: the family farm, a grass-based production system, integration with the community, and the genuine care farmers have for their animals.”
“We really have an opportunity to show the rest of the world how it is done. We are not perfect, but we have a very integrated and motivated industry.”
“Instilling confidence in Irish farmers to adapt to new environmental measures will prevent us offshoring problems. The world’s population is increasing and is almost more aware of food sources.”
Plans
Bruce intends to delegate more streamlined jobs, fill a labour gap in the company and long-term, look at adding value to his time.
He aims to achieve production figures with a cow giving 110% of its weight in milk solids (550kg) from 600kg of concentrates.
“I like the diversity of the job and people involved, the flexibility of the work, and the way you can achieve results with hard work.”
“My plans for further expansion have been paused with the plant on hold with Glanbia,” the Laois dairy farmer added.
“The expansion now means employing a less sustainable milk production system, which is ironic really when you consider the reason for the plant being held up.”
“My biggest challenge has been staying focused on the most important jobs on my farm. Spending time working on my business is far more important than working in my company.”
“I find stepping away from tasks and letting someone else at them challenging. So, a major part of the expansion phase has been delegating,” Bruce, 2020 Nuffield Scholar, concluded.
To share your story like this Laois dairy farmer, email Catherina Cunnane, editor of That’s Farming, – [email protected]
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