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During a recent Transition farm walk in Northern Ireland, dairy farmer Tim Morrow shared his insights into his low-input grazing system and nature-friendly farming practices at Streamvale Farm near Belfast.

The farm utilizes a multispecies herbal ley consisting of clovers, plantain, chicory, timothy, and perennial rye grass. Tim, a member of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, minimizes pesticide use and completely avoids nitrogen on his farm. Instead of ploughing, the land undergoes shallow discing and rolling before broadcasting seeds, resulting in significant cost savings on fertilizers.

With a rotational grazing system in place, cows are moved between paddocks every 20 days during mid-season. Tim observed an increase in milk yields and improved fat and protein levels after transitioning to mixed species herbal leys.

By prioritizing high-quality grass for his dairy herd, Tim has achieved impressive results with minimal inputs. Grass has proven to be more cost-effective than feeding meal or silage, with cows providing high-quality milk without the need for fertilizers.

Utilizing New Zealand dairy genetics, Tim has streamlined his calving window to just 12 weeks, focusing on a low-input system with cows receiving minimal meal yet producing 5,300 litres each. Despite challenges posed by wet winters, the farm maintains a grass-centric diet for the cows, aiming for over 85% grass intake.

During winter, cows are housed indoors and fed a silage-based ration, with limited grazing time to reduce damage in excessively wet conditions. The Jersey-cross cows are bred for manageability, minimal soil compaction, and low veterinary costs.

Reed beds have been installed to filter dirty water from the dairy, enhancing the farm’s Sustainability practices. With a focus on breeding heifers for a Jersey/Friesian-cross and using sexed semen, the farm continues to prioritize Sustainability and efficiency in its dairy operations.

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