John Joyce: Why we will reduce our stocking density from the current 2.4 U/ha

We have entered a new era in farming with record high production costs. From fertilizer to concentrate, these high prices seem to be here to stay. and

I need to adjust our warehousing.

In recent years we have increased our breeding stock of suckler cows and ewes in particular. We tried to increase performance to maximize every morning.

Now the high input costs weigh on everything. Last winter we used a large amount of winter feed and this winter is no different.

At housing, the younger animals just weren’t gaining their target weight – we weighed the weaned for the BEEP II program a few weeks ago.

The camp cattle also go into the barn a little easier. Some will not be heavy enough to come out of the stable as two-year-old beef and will need to be returned to pasture for another summer, adding pressure on the farm.

So now I have to ask myself, am I robbing Peter to pay Paul at a high stocking rate?

At the moment Agfood tells me that we have a stocking density of 2.4 units/ha. Our sheep are not one of them.

For a dairy farmer this may seem normal and perhaps it would work well on a newly seeded farm with good grassland management.

Maybe if the inputs were reasonably priced, but in this new era the economic law of diminishing returns might apply.

A high stocking density not only puts a strain on the pasture or forage supply, but also on fences, water supply, stables and the workload of the farmer.

For the future, I think the old guideline of one livestock unit per acre is more realistic and sustainable for a farm like ours.

Covid had something to do with us becoming more and more. In Spring 2020, we farmers looked at the rest of the world in lockdown.

We saw the empty streets on the news and most people within a few miles of their homes. We mostly worked normally and were happy about it. We weren’t going anywhere and we wouldn’t be for a long time.

So I guess in some people’s minds a few extra cows to calve or sheep to lamb wasn’t a big deal – sure it would keep us busy.

Going back to the present, the only good thing about having a large stock is that we can sell some of them at the good prices the cattle are fetching – and it’s looking promising for the beginning of next year too.

I often discuss our warehousing and workload with a good friend, and his thoughts on our Covid-induced spike were, “John, it’s like when you were traveling – you had to go there to come back.”

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John Joyce farms at Carrigahorig, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary