Co. Limerick — To discern the financial viability of arable versus exclusive grass farming, the county instructor in Co. Limerick has conducted a series of intriguing experiments. The primary objective was to assess the economic outcomes of these two approaches and potentially challenge prevailing notions about the most profitable land utilization in the region.
Over time, a growing sentiment has emerged in Ireland, suggesting that expanding the arable area might prove advantageous. While the notion of ploughing the rich pastures in the Meath or other similarly endowed regions is unthinkable, there is a substantial portion of grassland in both Ireland and England that appears unproductive, yielding meagre profits for its occupiers. The experiments conducted in Co. Limerick focused on precisely this category of grassland, aiming to determine if it could deliver better results under tillage.
The results of the Co. Limerick experiments have been nothing short of revealing, making a compelling case for the extension of arable farming in certain areas. The data indicates that a profit of £12 7s. 7d. Per Irish acre was not only sustained but increased to £11 11s. 4d. When tillage replaced grass. This substantial gain of £9 18s. 9d. per acre presents a compelling argument in favour of breaking up grassland that responds favourably to the plough.
In addition to assessing the financial implications, part of the experiment delved into the impact of the two farming systems on store cattle kept on the farm. Two groups were observed: one lot wintered outdoors, supplemented only with hay, and the other housed, receiving a more varied diet of hay, roots, oats, and cake. The outcome revealed a notable £4 difference per head in the prices of the two lots when sold at the same age. However, considering that, the house-fed lot incurred an additional cost of £22 3s. each for food, the net gain was a commendable £17—no insignificant sum by any measure.
These experiments, conducted with precision and attention to detail, present a significant departure from conventional farming wisdom and open up new possibilities for optimizing land use in Co. Limerick. The financial gains observed underscore the potential benefits of reevaluating traditional farming practices and embracing innovative approaches that align with the specific characteristics of the land. As the agricultural community in the region absorbs these findings, the debate over the most profitable and sustainable farming methods is likely to gain momentum, sparking a broader conversation about the future of agriculture in Co. Limerick and beyond.
Field – Saturday 01 January 1910
