“We look to produce just under 40 heifers a year,” he adds. “Using genomic testing means we’re able to accelerate genetic progress, breed a more uniform herd of cows, and improve key traits that support longevity, as well as improved milk yields and solids.” The herd is currently averaging 8,500kg of milk, at 4.78% fat and 3.64% protein. John continues to focus his breeding and feeding management on more efficient production of yields and milk solids to supply to his buyer Tirlán. Genetics are supported by a TMR fed all year round comprising of grass silage, some bought-in maize silage, distillers’ grains, and straw. It is soaked overnight to provide a well-mixed, short chop length and palatable semi-compact diet to encourage intakes.

Cows are fed the TMR indoors for a few hours pre milking and immediately post milking during the grazing season. An 18% pelleted parlour feed is fed in the parlour at a rate of between 2kg and 3kg per head, depending on days in milk. The TMR includes a blend made by feed company McAuleys, and since November 2022, it has included Cargill’s methane-reducing feed product SilvAir®. “I saw an article about SilvAir® and contacted the company’s ruminant technical adviser Philip Ingram. He visited us and we talked about the advantages.

“Knowing that we have to tackle methane has been on my mind for a few years, and I can see it becoming mandatory down the line. The sooner we ‘get on board’ the better, so I took the plunge and asked McAuleys to formulate our blend with SilvAir®. Taking account of the relatively low level of blend being fed, Dr Ingram recommended a 1% inclusion rate.” John noticed a few small ‘wavy’ fluctuations in fat and protein percentages for a week after SilvAir® was added, but then they came back to normal. “Milk urea also went up for a couple of days and then stabilised, but these were all minor and nothing unusual after tweaking a diet,” he says. “Cows were producing the same amount of milk, and feeding, chewing cud and manure were all unchanged. “And after a few weeks we saw a slight 0.02% protein increase.”

Cows strip graze the grass paddocks with a fresh bite every 12 hours. To improve the feed value and duration of the grass John is now including more clover in the mixture. “This has improved growth through the season and the drought tolerance of the swards. It’s also reduced our reliance on artificial fertilisers.” While John is taking a proactive approach to reducing his carbon footprint, he remains a bit ‘baffled’ as to why there’s not more ‘talk’ about it – certainly in Ireland. Particularly as the measures he’s taking - and that others could follow - have been shown to improve herd efficiency.

He feels that Ireland and the UK are behind other European countries in incentivising dairy farmers to reduce their carbon footprint. “I can’t understand what’s holding them, and therefore farmers, back. “I think the industry here in Ireland is too focused on producing cheap milk and not enough on the methane issue. We’re behind other major dairy producing countries. “Some milk buyers and governments are supporting the use of dietary methane reducing feed products and this would certainly drive things forward. Consumer pressure would help too.

“We’ve all got to do our bit to reduce the methane production per litre or kilogramme of milk solids and reduce our carbon footprint by following a clear road map,” he adds. Methane-reducing feed products are becoming more available and more effective so are playing a valuable part in promoting sustainable milk production. Genetics and herd management practices will also be important components. Alongside helping the dairy industry to achieve the environmental targets set out, these improvements are also recognised in supporting more efficient milk production.