This Farming Life - March in Castlefarm

What it means to be an organic farmer in Ireland today … Jenny Young writes about life and work on an organic mixed farm in Co Kildare - and selling its produce

Castlefarm in March

At last we are half way through calving at Castlefarm. 66 calves were born in February, making it a very busy but compact month of calving. Although we have more females than males at present, something we want, the odds always even up in the end.

Male calves are sold off farm when they are 2 weeks old. We are paid on average €100 per male Friesian calf. We sell them as soon as we can to make space for the females that we will keep. As a by-product of dairy farming we are happy to have a market for these male calves.

Unfortunately there is no market for Jersey bull calves and last year we were lucky to give them away. We artificially inseminate our cows and last year we trialled sexed jersey semen on 7 of the heifers. Although we did have 2 jersey females, conception rates were low and the other heifers went in calf to the Angus bull. This means more beef for the farm shop though.

This year marks the end of milk quotas and dairy farmers are unsure of milk price going forward. A lot of new dairy farmers are expected to enter the market. Existing dairy farmers are nervous that a flood of milk will mean a drop in price. Although they also know that dairying is not easy to succeed in.

We hope that because we specialise in organic milk and supply Glenisk we will continue to get a premium going forward.

Castlefarm Shop opens every week normally on a Friday or Saturday but you need to sign up to facebook, emails or text alerts to keep up to date with opening days and farm specials. To receive our newsletter and news of new products by email please sign up to our email, or text updates or like us on facebook. Castlefarm Shop, Narraghmore, Athy, Co Kildare, Email jenny@castlefarmshop.ie, log onto www.castlefarmshop.ie or telephone 087 678 5269

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