Lely Centre Mullingar recently hosted a farm walk in Co. Monaghan that showcased the successful transition from a beef to a dairy enterprise on Kevin McCluskey’s farm. The farm, located just outside Shercock on the Monaghan border, is now in its fourth milk-production season, with cows achieving an average of 500kg of milk solids this year. The Lely robot was a crucial part of the transition, and the walk’s attendees heard how robots can be retrofitted into existing buildings or used in newly constructed sheds. William Conlon shared building costs and design considerations, noting that Lely robots are eligible for government funding under certain circumstances. Sean Callan discussed the benefits of the Lely robot in a grazing system, while the AIB agri team provided valuable insights into funding for robotic milking and other investments. Overall, the farm walk showcased the positive impact of innovative technology on dairy farming in Ireland.
