Despite these recent challenges, grass remains at the heart of Irish dairy farming.

It is not only important for milk production, but also a key part of what sets Irish dairy apart in export markets.

In this fourth article in the Irish Dairy's Grass-fed Strength series with Ornua and Bord Bia, we meet Co. Tipperary dairy farmer Fiona O’Donnell.

For Fiona, grass is central to every decision made on the family farm near Golden, where she farms alongside her husband Eddie, their children, and a wider team that includes Eddie’s parents, Denis and Nora.

The farm milks 420 cows and supplies Dairygold. With a stocking rate of three livestock units/ha on the home farm, making the most of grass is crucial to the farm’s performance.

Fiona said: “We maximise stocking rate here and a key focus for us is to grow as much grass as possible and utilise as much grass as possible."

In the mid-season, the O’Donnells target 1,250-1,450kg of dry matter per hectare.

No silver bullet

While Ireland’s grass-based system is often highlighted as a competitive advantage, Fiona says achieving high levels of grass utilisation requires constant attention to detail.

“The farm needs to be walked regularly in order to get a good idea of how much grass you have on the farm and from that then you can make decisions as to how much grass you need to put in front of the cows on a given day," she explained.

A key part of that approach is maintaining soil fertility.

Fiona explained that the farm aims for a soil pH of between 6.5 and 6.7 and carries out annual soil sampling using a geotagged system to ensure each paddock receives the correct application of lime and fertiliser.

“We have precise measurement in each paddock as to how much lime and how much fertiliser is required,” she said.

“That is really the foundation level of building grass. Your pH has to be right on the farm in order to build grass and build covers and have that good quality grass in front of your cows and give them that nutritious diet.”

Planning ahead

Effective grassland management is about much more than measuring grass covers, according to Fiona.

“[Grassland management] is an intricate balance really of making daily decisions where the cows go and where they graze, but then you’re also forward thinking about how much stock you’ll have in reserve when you’re closing down the cover,” she said.

They will close paddocks between November 20 and 24 before reopening for grazing around the beginning of February as cows begin calving.

According to Fiona, success comes from consistently getting the fundamentals right.

“Soil fertility is really important, grass management, grass measurement and road infrastructure.

“While it might sound cumbersome, the benefits are huge and it allows the cows to eat really good quality grass and produce really high-quality premium milk," she said.

Grass-fed advantage

The benefits of Ireland’s grass-based system extend beyond the farm gate.

For dairy markets around the world, grass-fed is one of the characteristics that helps Irish dairy products stand apart from competitors.

Bord Bia head of dairy David Kennedy said the strength of grass-fed lies in the range of positive associations it creates among consumers.

“For some consumers it has connotations around taste and, of course, butter has been really powerful overseas off the back of that taste reputation.

“For others it’s about high welfare, others about naturalness and for some it’s about lower carbon," Kennedy said.

According to Kennedy, this broad appeal makes Ireland’s grass-fed story particularly valuable in international markets.

“The beauty of our grass-fed position or our grass-fed offering is it can mean many good things to many different people,” he said.

For farmers like Fiona, that connection between grass management on the farm and consumer perceptions around the world is a source of pride.

“It’s something we’re really proud of here,” she said.

“It’s our key focus. Grass is at the centre of everything here on the farm in Golden.”

The Irish Dairy's Grass-Fed Strength series is a collaboration between Agriland, Ornua, and Bord Bia.