Tirlán announces new Milk Solids Growth programme

Tirlán has launched a new Milk Solids Growth programme, which aims to help farmers to increase milk solids production in a sustainable manner. Using a farm specific data-driven approach, each Tirlán milk supplier will receive tailored advice that is relevant to their specific herd.  

Tirlán Chairperson John Murphy said that the Co-op is investing in the programme to provide farmers with the insights and support needed to optimise grassland management, herd health and nutrition. 

“Herd data shows a huge range in milk solids performance and significant potential for individual farmers to improve their performance by utilising more quality grass and conserved forages in the diet, as well as providing supplementary feeds at the right time. We held a workshop with our Council and increased technical support for farmers was one of the key recommendations”. 

Unlocking more performance 

Ailish Byrne, Chief Agribusiness Officer said that the initiative has been designed to help farmers get more from every litre of milk in a sustainable manner. Tirlán has invested in real-time tracking of milk solids through their new Milk Solids Tracker, which enables farmers to easily track their own herd’s milk solids performance. “Milk suppliers will now have access to in-depth milk data analysis to identify areas for improvement and our new team of expert advisers will provide personalised advice to Tirlán milk suppliers on optimising herd performance. 

“By participating in the Milk Solids Growth programme, dairy farmers can unlock greater efficiency and profitability from their herd.” 

Key features of the programme include: 

• Milk Solids Tracker: Accessible to all Tirlán milk suppliers through TirlanFarmlife.com, this innovative online tool provides easy and efficient monitoring of milk solids performance. The tracker contains real-time data, giving a clear picture of herd performance compared to previous years and against targets which have been set by the milk supplier. It quickly highlights when targets are not being met, enabling farmers to take timely corrective actions. These actions will include correcting grassland management, offering additional supplementary concentrate, or providing high quality buffer forages when grass supply is inadequate. The Milk Solids Tracker can be accessed by logging into the “My Account” area and then clicking on the “My Farm” section.
• Milk Solids Growth Specialists: Tirlán has invested in a team of expert nutritionists dedicated to working one-on-one with suppliers to ensure optimal herd performance. The Milk Solids Growth Specialists will focus on maximising output from grass and quality forages, providing tailored advice and practical solutions to meet farm specific needs. This personalised data driven approach ensures that cows are receiving the best possible nutrition to increase milk solids production and herd fertility. As well as herd nutrition, the team also focus on soil nutrition to maximise grass growth and utilisation.  
• Insights for smarter decision making: Tirlán will provide in-depth insights into milk data, such as the butterfat to protein ratio, which can act as a key indicator of herd performance. By analysing this data, areas for improvement can be identified and strategies to boost herd productivity can be implemented. From 20 February, Tirlán will automatically send a text alert to suppliers on a Monday and Thursday when their butterfat to protein ratio for the previous seven days goes above 1.4. When the butterfat to protein ratio goes above 1.4, it can be indicative of a lack of energy in the herd diet. This text will provide Tirlán suppliers with a prompt indication that their cows’ energy requirement may not be fully met.  

To discover more about the Milk Solids Growth programme dairy farmers can visit TirlanFarmLife.com and follow Tirlán FarmLife on Instagram, Facebook and X, where timely advice will be shared that will empower farmers to grow their milk solids.  

For more information on the Milk Solids Growth programme and how to get started check out our information hub here - Milk Solids Growth | Tirlán FarmLife