Combining genetics, herd health and compact calving on a Co. Kerry dairy farm
John P Galvin.
John P Galvin milks 80 cows in a compact spring calving herd in Lispole, Co Kerry overlooking the Dingle peninsula. His land goes right down to the Atlantic Ocean and annually receives between 1600-1700 mm of rainfall. In 2016 John sold 477 Kgs of milk solids to the Kerry Group for each cow in the herd @ 4.22% Fat and 3.62% Protein. This output per cow combined with the high percentages resulting in a high milk price helped John greatly in the difficult year that 2016 was. John featured in the recent top 200 herds in Ireland ranking 149 with a herd €BI of 129, it is a well-balanced herd between milk 44, fertility 51 and calving 33.
John uses the Munster AI technician service and combines the fresh semen programme with the year 1 genomic tested sires. The AI technician through his handheld ensures that no inbreeding occurs. This service allows John to concentrate solely on his heat detection during the breeding season knowing that he is receiving the very best genetics available, from a highly skilled Munster AI technician and completely avoiding inbreeding. The genetic progress being made is evident from the €BI graph.
The fertility performance of the herd is impressive with over 85% of the herd calving is 6 weeks. This is achieved through a high submission rate due to excellent heat detection and a high conception from the AI technician. John’s heat detection is exceptional, scratch cards are used on the heifers and cows not detected in heat 3 weeks into the breeding season are examined and treated.
John monitors the health status of his herd, the efficacy of his vaccination and parasite control programme annually through the Munster Herd Health programme. He finds the end of year meeting with Munster vet invaluable for reviewing his performance and helping him with his decisions in planning the dry period and the year ahead. For the past 2 years, he had done the Johnes screening through his milk recording. Both these programmes ensure that output is maintained each year and John can sell his high genetic breeding stock with a high health status.
John attributes the performance of his herd to their genetics, health and a compact spring calving pattern. Performance is monitored by monthly milk recording from February to November, John is now firmly of the opinion that each cow needs to be contributing to the bottom line for him to maximise his profitability. The real profit drivers are the mature 3rd lactation plus cows calving in February, in 2016 the top 10 mature cows averaged 7300Kg of milk with 569Kg of milk solids @ 4.14% Fat and 3.65% Protein. A feature of the herd is the consistent level of production between the cows with no poor performers.
The 1st milk recording of 2017 was completed in 7th march, this allows the early identification of any SCC issues, their immediate correction, allowing all cows reach their full potential over the lactating period.
As all cows and heifers are bred to dairy sires, John has surplus heifers to sell each year as calves, maidens or incalf heifers. One can have confidence that these high genetic merit heifers from a high health status herd will perform and remain in the herd for a long time for their new herdowners.
John has bred a few bulls that have entered AI, the most popular being JKF - (IG) Doonmanagh Jacko an FLT son from a great DEU cow. He is looking forward to producing a genetic gem from his herd on the Dingle peninsula that has produced so many footballing legends down through the years.
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