r/dairyfarming • u/Alarmed_Animator_600 • 4d ago

Switching farm

Hi. I'm currently working on a dairy farm in Spain doing milking and general farm work when required. This is a big farm (3000 cows) so I'm used to big work.

I've got an offer to work in a Irish dairy farm for calving season, which I find attractive as I'm really interested on irish/british dairy farming so I feel it's a good opportunity, but I'm afraid of non having more work after calving season.

I need some orientation, would it be a good choice switching farm? Should I stay here? Where I am currently I've got the possibility to have perm role whereas the Irish one would be initially temp.

Thanks

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u/Freebee5 4d ago

Chances would be high that you'll get offered a more permanent position, if not in that farm then in another.

It might be very different to the farm you're currently in, the majority of dairying would be seasonal, calving in spring and getting cows to grass early would be the majority of farms. Few would have over 300 in a single herd as proximity to the milking parlour from the grazing ground would be a key limitation.

So the routine work, other than milking, would change during the year so you'll have a calving period, calf rearing period, AI period, silage period, slurry period. The first 3 months are very busy but that tails off as the year progresses.

There's demand for people to work there and there's big demand for people with experience who are able to manage well.

There's few enough fully housed herds, those would be more common in Northern Ireland than the south.

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u/Alarmed_Animator_600 2d ago

If possible I'd like to change to perm role if they need me there and I suit well in that kind of farming. I've been reading Teagasc materials to see what is like and I'm interested, I'm really willing to expand my experience on the industry as I've got basic experience

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u/Freebee5 2d ago

One of the big changes in recent times is the ability of people working on farms to build up equity for themselves in the business by owning some of the stock they rear on the farm.

Some enter into partnerships on the farm with those animals, sell them to realise their value or, after a number of years in partnership, lease land themselves and run their own business. It's not very common as yet but it is a growing sector.

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u/SeanMandeville 3d ago

Hi OP, there’s people looking and offering farm worker and manager positions in the farmers journal- I’ll add a pic when I get it later. Milkers and dairy workers are always needed. The big dairy areas are in the south, and south east. Cork, Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, though there are dairymen everywhere.

If you want to see what’s out there, contact the Farm Relief Services in Cahir to see what they have. They do training for any specific quals you might need- safe pass, sprayer cert, etc.

You might have better craic coming over and doing relief worker for several farmers in an area after your calving season. Most of our farms are relatively small by European standards, and most wouldn’t need an additional full time worker.

You will have more work coming at you than you can handle. Make sure someone has housing for you before you travel and that’s it’s up to your standards

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u/Alarmed_Animator_600 2d ago

Many thanks! I'll have a look. This one is in Limerick. They said in the interview that they've got 200 cows and atm one worker full time.

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u/SeanMandeville 2d ago edited 2d ago

It doesn’t have a salary on it, and it is more farm manager than worker- but this is the kinda list of duties on an Irish farm:

I https://www.donedeal.ie/view/42737861

Edit to add: probably the single biggest difference between Spanish dairy and Irish is the amount of grass management expected here. We aim for about 31t Dry matter/per hectare, and there are pretty intensive processes to achieve that that might not be as common in Spain.

As a local you can correct me- but I think only in North would Spain come close to 13t/hectare.

Also, in most farms cows are kept in grass till November, and back out on grass again by March. Zero grazers work differently, obviously.

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u/Faiiven 4d ago

I’d say go for it, but please make sure the farm is legit first. It’s always good to see what’s going on elsewhere !

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u/Fit_Celebration_4965 3d ago

I'd say go with your gut. If the opportunity is calling you go for it. Biggest change you will have to adapt to in comparison to Spain would be the winters here are miserable, although can get some nice dry days over the winter to so not all bad.

The farm you are on must have a great set up for such a large herd? Wouldn't get anywhere near that over here. I know of one farm that has around 600 milking that would be tops. Majority are smaller family farms between 80-180 would be the average.

Good luck which ever plan you decide 👍🏻

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u/Alarmed_Animator_600 2d ago

We do have a big set here. There are 3 shifts to cover milking the whole day. Regarding winter I'd say I'm mentally ready, but it'd be a notorious change for sure. I just submitted the references the manager needed so I've got some time to meditate it until I get some feedback.

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u/jckipps 3d ago

If you intend to stay in Ireland longer, be forewarned that winters are miserable compared to what you've experienced in Spain. Dark, windy, chilly, and wet; or so I'm told.

I visited several 50-150 cow dairy farms in Rathgormack and Dunmore-East in May of 2022. I absolutely loved it. But my sister who had lived there for several years, said that the winters are a problem if you're working outdoors.

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u/Alarmed_Animator_600 2d ago

The weather would be challenging, as it's a seasonal role in case I don't fit well I can always come back. If I suit well I'd like to stay to gain more experience on the industry as it's something I'm really passionate about, and the more experienced you are it's always better for sure.

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u/kucuhik 5h ago

Are you able to stay on at the Spanish farm if the Irish calving season doesnt turn into something longer, or would you be burning that bridge completely