Graze Dairy in County Kildare, Ireland, has recently invested in upgrading their farm facilities with a new 16-unit DeLaval parlour and a cubicle shed featuring 90 cubicles. Managed by Mark Gray and his family, these enhancements aim to boost efficiency and cow welfare. Despite challenges from rising costs and fluctuating milk prices, the new parlour reduces milking time and the updated handling facilities improve animal management. The farm has also introduced a shop with a milk vending machine to support their investment.
Graze Dairy, a modern dairy farm located in Caragh, County Kildare, Ireland, is a family-run operation managed by Mark Gray in partnership with his parents. Spanning 150 acres, the farm is home to 97 cows and is dedicated to advanced dairy farming practices. The Grays rear their heifers, manage silage cutting, and maintain designated paddocks for grazing. Recently, Graze Dairy has also ventured into direct milk sales through a vending machine on-site, allowing them to provide fresh farm milk directly to their local community. The farm’s commitment to modernization and sustainability is evident in its investment in new facilities and technology, positioning it as a model of a modern dairy farm in Ireland.
A New Era for Graze Dairy: Becoming a Modern Dairy Farm
Mark Gray, who left his construction career to join his parents on their family farm in 2015, has been focused on transforming Graze Dairy into a modern dairy farm. The farm spans 150 acres in County Kildare, where the Grays milk 97 cows, rear their heifers, and manage their silage cutting. Recognizing the need for enhanced facilities to maximize productivity, Mark and his family decided to invest heavily in their farm’s infrastructure.
Investing in a Modern Milking Parlour and Cubicle Shed
To realize their vision of a modern dairy farm, the Grays constructed a new cubicle shed and a 16-unit DeLaval milking parlor equipped with swing-over arms and automatic cluster removers. This advanced setup replaced the outdated six-unit parlor, which took up to three hours to milk the cows each session. The new facilities significantly reduce milking time and improve cow health by minimizing the time cows spend standing in the yard.
Mark shares, “The old setup had the cows standing in the yard for over six hours daily, affecting their conception rates and milk production. Investing in a modern milking parlor was crucial for enhancing our farm’s overall efficiency.”
Advanced Handling Facilities: Key to a Modern Dairy Farm
The upgraded milking parlor features cutting-edge handling facilities, including a 360° gate that simplifies loading cattle into the crush for various tasks such as dosing, artificial insemination, and scanning. Mark underscores the importance of these upgrades, stating,
“Good handling facilities have saved us time and reduced stress for both the farmers and the cows.”
Mark Gray
Further enhancements are planned, including the addition of a three-way drafting unit connected to the cows’ ear tags, allowing for easy sorting of cows during breeding or identifying those needing medical care. These improvements will continue to advance the farm’s efficiency and streamline operations, aligning with their goal of operating a modern dairy farm.
The Role of the New Cubicle Shed
Directly behind the parlour, the newly constructed cubicle shed provides 90 cubicles and 120 feed spaces, making it easier for feeding and managing cows. The shed features three passageways with hydraulic scrapers that efficiently move slurry to the slatted tank, simplifying manure management.
Mark remarks,
“The new parlor and shed work seamlessly together; one gate opens, and the cows move directly from the cubicle shed to the parlor, simplifying daily routines and enhancing our operation as a modern dairy farm.”
Building for the Future
The Gray family, with invaluable assistance from Jason Cole and his sons, constructed the new facilities themselves. The project involved laying foundations, erecting steel structures, shuttering, pouring concrete, and installing slurry tanks. Mark appreciates the Coles’ support, saying,
“Their help was indispensable; without them, we’d still be building.”
Mark Gray
Challenges and Resilience
Despite the advancements, 2023 presented challenges with fluctuating milk prices and high construction costs in Ireland. Mark reflects, “Investing in a modern dairy farm during a year with skyrocketing costs and low milk prices was tough, but we persisted, and it has paid off.”
New Ventures: Direct Farm Sales
To diversify income and connect more closely with the community, the Grays set up a farm shop selling their milk via a vending machine. A designated room was built for the pasteurizer to streamline milk processing for the shop, further supporting the farm’s modern approach.
Graze Dairy’s journey toward becoming a modern dairy farm exemplifies innovation, dedication, and strategic investment in advanced farming facilities. By embracing modern technology and efficient farming practices, the Gray family has positioned themselves for future success, setting a standard for dairy farms in County Kildare and beyond.
