The embracing of new technologies represents the greatest opportunity that Irish agriculture can avail of, as it looks to the future. And nowhere can these developments be seen impacting more forcefully than within the dairy sector, where a combination of the industry’s enormous growth potential must be tempered with the reality of getting the job done in the most efficient way possible.
Yes, we have the land; but matching this resource with that of driving ultimate levels of production from an expanded dairy herd and the farmers managing them will require a response that is, very much, technology-driven.
The core decision to either establish a new dairy herd, or expand existing cow numbers, brings with it a requirement on the part of the farmers concerned to thoroughly assess the milking technologies that best meet their evolving needs.
In response to this we are already seeing a significant increase in the adoption of robotic milking systems on Irish farms. The same can also be said, where rotary platforms are concerned. Meanwhile, the growing recognition of the role which the likes of in-parlour feeding, out-of-parlour feeding and automated heat detection systems can play on Irish farms continues apace.
But each farm is different. A commitment to invest in robotics may be predicated on the fact that the farmer wants to spend more time managing the herd rather than physically putting clusters on his cows.
The rotary platform, on the other hand, may represent the best option when it comes to allowing farmers increase cow numbers within a scenario where it is extremely difficult to secure additional labour.
For its part, Bank of Ireland wants to work with its farmer-customers so as to ensure that an investment in new technology can become a feasible reality.
Bank of Ireland fully recognises the role which new technology can play within the Irish dairy sector. It is an industry primed for sustained growth over the coming years. These opportunities have already been recognised by many hundreds of Irish milk producers.
Bank of Ireland has been at the very heart of production agriculture for many years. As a result, we represent a unique business development resource for the industry as a whole. This can be accessed by contacting the Direct Team, the members of which will assess the merits of each business plan, or proposal submitted to them.
So why not talk to us today?