Grant for milking machine

_Skitso_

I have asked about this in another thread but just in case it was missed!!

There was some word of a grant coming for anyone buying a new milking machine, bulk tank, etc. I heard that last summer, my Dad reckons he read somewhere recently that it will be announced this month or next. Does anyone have any info on this at all??

Thank you for your help!!

whelan1

heard something last week on the local farm news - its for young farmers maybe look at the macra website

John_F

hope yer not getting our hopes up with the farm improvement scheme that is closed i cant find anything on macra website

whelan1

was deffo something on lmfm farm news last week and the macra head was welcoming the announcement

_Skitso_

No not trying to get your hopes up but mine are already well and truly raised!! I am fairly sure something is coming down the pipeline I was just wondering if anyone had heard anymore than that!! Seems all very hush hush so far!!

irish_bob

id be amazed at a time of deep rescession the goverment would pour money into something like this , amazed , anyways , theese grants are over rated if you ask me , the dealers just jack up the price like the builders did under the FWM scheme , that scheme wasone of the worst thing that happened to many farmers , its the reason so many of them are in debt and strugling

_Skitso_

I agree to a certain extent. Thing is my cousin bought a parlour a matter of weeks ago and I will soon be shopping myself so it will be difficult for him to jack the price as I was there when all deals were done and all dealers my cousin spoke to are aware of the fact that I will be in the market within the next couple of weeks/months!!

Also if I heard any sniff of it being true I would have them all here in the morning quoting me before the grant is announced!! I will have to buy it anyway so why not start pricing sooner rather than later!! Will be getting in touch with them within the next few weeks as if they are outside my budget I'll have to go shopping for a second hand parlour in the UK or further afield if necessary.

Plus if what I have heard is correct, the money is already there it is just a matter of how the gov. will share it out!!

Casinoking

Will tillage farmers be getting grants to buy new combines so?

_Skitso_

I hope everyone gets a slice of the cake!! As I said I know very little bout the whole thing!!

aristo

_Skitso_ wrote: »

Also if I heard any sniff of it being true I would have them all here in the morning quoting me before the grant is announced!! I will have to buy it anyway so why not start pricing sooner rather than later!! Will be getting in touch with them within the next few weeks as if they are outside my budget I'll have to go shopping for a second hand parlour in the UK or further afield if necessary.

Plus if what I have heard is correct, the money is already there it is just a matter of how the gov. will share it out!!

How many do you intend milking?

_Skitso_

I intend to milk somewhere between 200-250, depending on whether I run followers on farm or on out farm, how much silage I cut there...etc. It will be a grass based system carrying cross bred cows. The land type and area is not suited for heavier harder maintained cows!!

aristo

_Skitso_ wrote: »

I intend to milk somewhere between 200-250, depending on whether I run followers on farm or on out farm, how much silage I cut there...etc. It will be a grass based system carrying cross bred cows. The land type and area is not suited for heavier harder maintained cows!!

How long do you think it will take to build up to 250 from scratch?

_Skitso_

I will have 105 heifers fit for bulling this May! Will buy a further 70 for bulling May 2011. I hope to bull 150-155 that year due to culls etc. That I hope will be the last year I will buy in heifers and then depending on how things are going I will grow by at least 50 a year until I reach a target figure!!

So to answer your question I aim that May 2013 I will be bulling 250

powerfarmer

Here is what I found on it, seems a little vague:

http://www.avondhupress.ie/farming.html

DAIRY EQUIPMENT SCHEME SHOULD BE LAUNCHED - MACRA

Macra na Feirme national president Michael Gowing said the Department of Agriculture should give priority to opening the dairy equipment scheme for young farmers under the amended Rural Development program 2007-2013.
Mr Gowing said Macra understands that the range of schemes under the amended Rural Development program as a result of money from unspent SFP and Modulation will be open to farmers on a phased basis as co-funding for these schemes is required by the state.
Recently the Department of Agriculture selected applicants for the new entrants to dairy scheme and Mr. Gowing said the launch of a dairy equipment scheme would particularly benefit those who are investing in equipment under this scheme.
Mr Gowing said under axis 1 which focuses on competitiveness and where schemes such as installation aid, early retirement and farm investment were funded from, €43millon was recently earmarked for dairy equipment with a specific focus on young farmers and this needs to be utilized.

_Skitso_

Nice one.
Thanks very much!! Looks good!!

whelan1

told you i heard something about macra and the scheme:rolleyes:

powerfarmer

sure where would we be without Macra !

irish_bob

_Skitso_ wrote: »

I will have 105 heifers fit for bulling this May! Will buy a further 70 for bulling May 2011. I hope to bull 150-155 that year due to culls etc. That I hope will be the last year I will buy in heifers and then depending on how things are going I will grow by at least 50 a year until I reach a target figure!!

So to answer your question I aim that May 2013 I will be bulling 250

are you the crowd thats starting up that much publicized dairy unit in killkenny , former tillage farm

_Skitso_

No no. I will be going down to have a good look at that place though!! Was on it during the summer for a look and will be good to see it ready to go!!

F.D

Do you have to be a member of Teagasc or any other organisation to go and see this new set up in kilkenny? or is it open to all farmers

John_F

@ _Skitso_ > Were ya milking cows before this?? Is there a parlour on the farm or is it a new set up, just curious :rolleyes: was thinking of going to Kilkenny but its a bit of a trek and don't know yet, i presume its open to the public and dont have to be a member.... links here and here

_Skitso_

No never milked before, this is a new st up!! So no parlour or anything. We have suckers and sheep at the moment!! The open day is for everyone!! If I'm not mistaken Tuesday is only for Leinster farmers and Wednesday for others but i don't think they will turn you away on Tuesday if Wednesday doesn't suit!!

F.D

Skitso Did you get a chance to go to that New set up in Kilkenny, or anyone for that matter what were your views ?
I didnt get a chance after.

_Skitso_

No I didn't get there either!! My Dad was there recently and was impressed. Prices spent were in the journal this week along with a large artical but take into account it is backed by Teagasc so they may well have got better prices than average!! The only thing my Dad didn't like too much was that the parlor when it is fully finished will take two men to operate!! We have seen a few thirty unit machines operated by one man and this may have been a better option!!

jfh

hi lads, some interesting opinions here
http://farmingforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=27540

portoe1

Hi All,
I am on my last year in collage and im interested in starting a dairy farm. I have the land but nothing else would need to put in roads, sheds the works. I would be doing all the work with my dad putting in roads building sheds, concrete work everything. I have done the figures and looks good from what i can tell .
Does anyone have an idea the price of heifer calves under 2 months!?
Or the best place to get the finance for the envestment!?

Would appreciate any advice all would be taken on board gladly
thanks everyone!!

Indubitable

portoe1 wrote: »

Hi All,
I am on my last year in collage and im interested in starting a dairy farm. I have the land but nothing else would need to put in roads, sheds the works. I would be doing all the work with my dad putting in roads building sheds, concrete work everything. I have done the figures and looks good from what i can tell .
Does anyone have an idea the price of heifer calves under 2 months!?
Or the best place to get the finance for the envestment!?

Would appreciate any advice all would be taken on board gladly
thanks everyone!!

Well what breed of cattle would you want?
Ayrshire? Shorthorn? Brit. Friesian? Holstein? Brown swiss? Jersey? Montbeliarde? kerry? Normande? -- thats all i can think of.

Or maybe a cross between breeds? Jersey and Montbeliarde off Friesian/Holstein are supposed to being making good cattle or so i hear.

dar31

portoe1 wrote: »

Hi All,
I am on my last year in collage and im interested in starting a dairy farm. I have the land but nothing else would need to put in roads, sheds the works. I would be doing all the work with my dad putting in roads building sheds, concrete work everything. I have done the figures and looks good from what i can tell .
Does anyone have an idea the price of heifer calves under 2 months!?
Or the best place to get the finance for the envestment!?

Would appreciate any advice all would be taken on board gladly
thanks everyone!!

hf calves under 6 wks e450 - e500,.... id guess
would say they are next to impossible to get, good ones any how.

small bit of advice, buy from only one or two farms.
if you start buying ones and twos all over the place, you are in for a world of trouble
dont buy any thing from the mart, if you have any concern for the health of your future herd

portoe1

I would be look for calve from high yeilding Holstein/Friesian herds at around 8500 litres that i could rear myself!! Just looking for prices if anyone has any idea!?

whelan1

maybe ring some of the auctioneers that have private sales in the journal they will set you straight

John_F

with regards to the grant. . . . what ever became of this??

dar31

portoe1 wrote: »

I would be look for calve from high yeilding Holstein/Friesian herds at around 8500 litres that i could rear myself!! Just looking for prices if anyone has any idea!?

you are looking to start out in dairying with 1900 gl cows
have you any experaince with these types of cow, if not you will do well to keep them alive for any lenght of time.
1300 - 1500 gls would be more realistic, still got the milk and a lot less health problems

Indubitable

those Holsteins are disasters for health

portoe1

I should have said i was looking for calves from high yeilding herd that would start out at just under 5000 litres and by the time the herd is closed to be milking around 8000 litres on average!! Is this unrealistic ?? would u have any idea of the price they would be?? have worked on my uncles farm but he has stopped milking!!

dar31

it has taken many a good farmer a life time to get from 5000lts ave to 8000lts ave, unrealistic is a little bit of an understatement
if this is the road you are looking at i wouldnt bother to put in roads, as paddocks will only be a place for the cows to lie while you brush down the beds:D
before you start out, you must decide do you want to work for the cows, or the cows work for you. there can only be one boss.

which ever way you go with it, hope it works out for ya

portoe1

thanks for opening my eyes for me much appreciated!! if u have any other helpful information about it i would take it with open arms!!

dar31

portoe1 wrote: »

thanks for opening my eyes for me much appreciated!! if u have any other helpful information about it i would take it with open arms!!

the more info you give the more we can pick it apart for you;););)

John_F

kingofthe3rdyrs wrote: »

those Holsteins are disasters for health

if ya wont feed it , ya wont have it, take care of the holstein and she will take care of you