1. A FARMER SPEAKS

2. David Kerr, Ross, Portlaoise Married, Yvonne Family, Four young children 11-5 years of age Eldest child starting second level education in Autumn 2006 Other three in National School Yvonne works one day per week as a nurse and six days weekly in the home

3. FARM 53.42 ha – all grassland MILK QUOTA FARM BUILDINGS 229,573 litres – Spring Milk Production Basic, low cost Self-feed silage and cubicles

4. LIVESTOCK CARRIED Dairy:Milking Cows49 0-1 y.o.35 1-2 y.o.26 Beef:0-1 y.o.32 1-2 y.o.23 >26 Sheep:Pedigree Ewes40 S.R.2.35 l.u./ ha (c. 195kgs org N/Ha) Milk Production per cow:>5,000 litres 3.97% Butterfat & 3.58% Protein 384 kgs F&P vs. Target 500 kgs 5 Year 3.94% Butterfat & 3.55% Protein

5. MILK QUOTA HISTORY 1995175,000 litres 2001188,614 litres 2005229,573 litres Average growth = c. 5500 litres p.a. (7500 litres in 2005)

6. FARM EFFICIENCY DETAILS Average 2000-2005 Profit Monitor Data on my farm real… Dairy Common Costs9.7 cpl Dairy Common Profit21.4 cpl Compared with 2004 Profit Monitors from over 700 Spring Milk Producers Nationally puts my farm in the …. Top 1% on costs and top 5% on profits Scope for further efficiency gains on my farm is limited

7. KEY INGREDIENTS OF FARM EFFICIENCY Very compact calving, i.e. 80-85% in 1 st. six weeks Calving to grass availability Grass measurement all year round Use of Profit Monitor and Cash Flow Budgeting Outdoor calf rearing Discussion Groups Milk Recording AI - EBI

8. THE FUTURE I wish to remain in and expand my dairy enterprise – ideally 120 cows at 6,000 litres = 720,000 litres Productivity gains Partnerships Quotas –Relevance in 2006 Continuation of Off- Farm Investment Nuffield Scholarship Study 2005: ‘Maintaining Efficiency while Increasing Scale in Pastoral Dairy Farming’