Land Mobility Programme gives the opportunity of a lifetime

The farm in question, which is located close to Strangford, is owned by Cavan Johnston.

Extending to 400 acres, it is currently home to 220 cows and 130 followers.

Matthew takes up the story: “I have always wanted to farm and the opportunity to work with Cavan has made this a reality for me.

“The relationship was brought about by John McCallister, the man in charge of the Land Mobility Programme. Cavan had previously indicated to John that he wanted to step back a bit from the day-to-day running of the business. But, at the same time, he also wanted to work with a young person who would have the enthusiasm to drive the business forward.

“John suggested me as the person who might fit the requirement. And that was the beginning of it.”

Two years later, the relationship is going from strength to strength. Matthew discussed his farming experiences in County Down to date with John McCallister earlier this week, courtesy of a land mobility webinar, hosted by the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU). The profit sharing arrangement entered into by Matthew and Cavan sees the Glarryford man taking a monthly salary from the business.

Cavan takes a monthly land rental fee from the farm and all profits are shared on an agreed basis at the end of the year.

Matthew continued: “The arrangement has been agreed on an informal basis up to this point. I am involved in all the day to day management decisions with regard to the running of the farm.”

Matthew went on to confirm that a ten year development for the business has been agreed.

He said: “It should be possible to push cow numbers up to 300. My preference is for a Holstein-type cow that will produce up to 10,000 litres of milk. It should also be possible to get 4,000 litres of milk from forage. The focus on milk from forage is already evident on the farm. This year, six cuts of silage were taken with the first in the pit by the middle of April. Home grown maize is also helping to boost milk output from forage at the present time.

Matthew explained: “The cows are currently averaging 32 litres per day at a concentrate feeding rate of 8.5 kilos. We are currently getting 14 litres of milk from forage on a daily basis.

“A lot of focus has been placed on heifer rearing since I arrived. Previously, heifers would have been calved down at 36 months. We have managed to get this figure down to 24 months and, in some cases, 22 months.

“Giving more care to replacement heifers comes at a cost. But it’s an investment with a tremendous dividend. It means that we are getting animals to the milking group at a much earlier age.

“Earlier also allows us to boost milking numbers so much sooner. From a breeding point of view, we intend using high milk bulls over the next couple of years.”

John McCallister confirmed the growth of the Land Mobility Programme, since its inception just over two years ago. He added: “A total of 43 arrangements have been facilitated up to this point, covering 8,000 acres of land.

“Matthew is a perfect example of what land mobility is all about. The fact that he was prepared to travel made the forging of the relationship with Cavan so much easier.”

The webinar also facilitated a general discussion on tax changes that needed to be made in order to make effective farm succession planning and land mobility more feasible options.

There was general agreement that the decisions taken over recent years by the Irish on these matters should be mirrored in Northern Ireland. Steps to facilitate longer term land leasing, as opposed to conacre letting, should also be taken.

Land Mobility: Matching Updates

Farm - Co Antrim 170 cow dairy farmer looking for share farmer. Farm has the capacity to increase cow numbers significantly. Good grazing block and laneways. Farmer open to options of share farming/profit share arrangement. This would allow a mix of share farmer bringing additionally cows to farm. An excellent opportunity

Farm - Co Tyrone 160 cow herd close to 10,000 l average. Good parlour and high yielders on robot. Good grazing block. Farm has sheep and small number of suckler cows. Farmer interested in share farming or type of profit share. Excellent opportunity as farmer keen to start transition and stepping back.

Farm – Co Down farm over 200 acres of very good land. Former dairy farm so over 250 cubicles and no milking parlour but could be replaced. Farmer currently running a beef enterprise but wanting to step back and very open to options and keen to provide an opportunity for a young farmer.

Farm – Co Londonderry, 60-acre main farm with over 200 acres of upland farmland. Good cattle housing and handling facilities. Farmer looking for options and happy to have some help on farm for use of land and sheds. Good suckler/beef and sheep farm.

Farm – Co Londonderry, superb poultry unit looking for a young farmer for share farm/profit share arrangement. Excellent opportunity.

Farm – Co Tyrone farm for long term lease. 150 cubicles, milking parlour and milk tank. Good quality housing. Suitable for grazing or housed system. Good long-term opportunity.

Farm – Co Limerick starter opportunity. Role of Assistant Farm Manager on 450 cow grazing herd. Opportunity to keep 40/50 of your own cows on farm. Great way to gain experience in grass-based dairying and build up equity in livestock. Accommodation on farm

Young Farmers looking for:

Young farmer - Co Armagh looking for additional land and/or contract dairy heifer rearer. 130 cow unit probably need accommodation and summer grazing for 100 heifers in total.

Young farmer - Co Londonderry looking for additional land and/or contract dairy heifer rearer. Would like accommodation and summer grazing for 100+ heifers in total but could start with smaller numbers and increase over time.

Young farmer - Co Down/Armagh looking for additional land for arable enterprise on long term lease. Will invest in land, soil testing regularly, building up soil structure, crop rotation and working land into very best condition. Experienced young farmer running successful arable business. Keen to enter long term agreement to provide security for both parties.

Young farmer – Co Down looking for land and suitable housing for large number of dairy heifers. Would also consider a heifer rearing agreement if farm suitable and farmer wanting to manage dairy heifer. A good opportunity for a former dairy farm with good housing and cubicles.

Young farmer - Co Down looking for additional long-term land for arable business. Will invest in land. Has grown winter cover crops in improve land and very keen on a long-term agreement to allow for investment in the land.

Young farmer–Co Down looking for land, possibly for arable crops mainly for own use and help with slurry. Would consider different options from a long-term lease to share farm agreement.

Young farmer – Co Londonderry, Campsie/Eglinton area looking for additional arable land on long term lease. Will invest in land, soil testing regularly, building up soil structure, crop rotation and working land into the very best condition.