The Smart Farming team examined soil fertility, energy use, grassland management, water use, feed, inputs, waste, time, and machinery management on Andrew’s farm and identified savings of €9,025
Watch Andrew outline his Smart Farming experience and outcomes at the Citizens Assembly meeting on Climate Change
Grassland – €3,800 saving
- Reseeded 37 acres of grass
- Target 51,162kg extra milk from increased grass production
Feed – €1,530 saving
- Better use of animal feed by adjusting feeders to rectify incorrect quantities being fed in the parlour leading to wastage
- Increase DMD of silage and reduce concentrate supplementation
- 1 week earlier turnout of stock
Soil fertility – €800 saving
- Soil sampling farm and tailored fertiliser requirements
- Reduce amount of fertiliser used (chemical P)
Energy – €1,528 saving
- Maximise plate cooler
- Compare electricity suppliers
- Reduce hot water useage for washing
- Use low energy bulbs in lights
- Install variable speed vacuum pumps
Machinery – €1,528 additional
- An allowance must be made to replace older machinery; this was not previously in the budget
Time management – €0 saving
- Careful assessment of time taken for tasks throughout the year
- Contract out tasks to concentrate time on milking, grassland management and cow care
Water – €3,812 saving
- Target 10% increase in milk yields by adding 10 extra water troughs
- Fitting Solenoid Switch on plate cooler to reduce water useage
Inputs & waste – €550 saving
- Reduction of collected surface water
- Proper collection and storage of chemicals, etc.
- Wilting of silage – reduce disposal costs
- Correct and safe disposal of hazardous materials
