Diligent milk award winners bode well for the industry
The overall winner, David Cassidy, in Co Cavan, has 80 pedigree cows, but farms to the REPS 4 environmental standards, and David tries to keep the herd on grass as much as possible.
The farm supplies the grade one quality milk required to make Baileys Irish Cream. David bought an additional, 32 acres six years ago and he also has land rented and under lease.
When he took over the farm, the quota was 30,000 gallons, which he increased over the years to 110,000 gallons.
Keeping under quota is David’s main problem, so the end of quotas in 2015 will be welcome.
His wife, Kathleen, from the nearby town of Cootehill, happily exchanged town life for wellies and has helped David around the farm for many years.
Runners-up, brothers Danny and Patrick Cremin, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, have expanded by going into partnership, and focusing exclusively on dairying and milk in the past two years.
They are believers in pasture-based or grass-based practices as the most natural way to farm dairy cows, with minimum inputs or external additives.
Merle Tanner, of Coachford, Co Cork, was presented with a national category award for care of the environment and diligence.
She says she loves working with cows, and they have a lovely temperament.
She faced a huge dislocation six years ago, when the family farm at Ballincollig was divided into three parts by a new road structure and bypass, making it impossible to manage as a dairy farm. The 100 acres she bought in Coachford had no milking parlour, cow housing — or hedgerows.
Merle says that hedgerows are important for cows and nature, and planted 4,000 metres of hedge and other trees, as well as installing a pond for ducks and moorhens.
Nor has success been a straightforward matter for the other five national finalists.
At Leap, in West Cork, Noel Collins took over the management of the farm in 2005 and now divides his time between running the farm and JCB sub-contracting work with the County Council. The cows are milked early before Noel goes to the other job.
The family lost half of the herd to disease, but it has been gradually built up to 45 cows.
The farm is working at full capacity; there is no land to expand further.
Noel says that to be sustainable he has to produce high-quality milk and maintain good herd health by using a grass-based system.
Robert and Betty Groves, in Tralee, also strive for milk produced from grass. They are in REPs, and have undertaken planting to improve the flora and fauna around the farm.
Patrick and Amy Guinan, in Co Westmeath, had to adapt to the construction of a motorway, which limited access to some grazing areas near the parlour.
Anne Maria Keane and Patrick Cotter, of Listowel, Co Kerry, milk 70 cows, and have been participating in the REPS programme for 15 years, taking special care not to impact on the environment.
Hedges are encouraged to grow and flower and produce seeds and berries, supported by appropriate trimming and planting of new whitethorn hedges and trees.
In addition to the work of managing a top quality dairy enterprise, Anne Maria Keane has also had a busy year as chairperson of Kerry Co-op.
Conor Murphy, of Clonakilty, Co Cork, is constantly looking for ways to make improvements on the farm. These improved techniques are passed on to other farmers, through the discussion group in which Conor participates, and through monitor walks on his farm.
All the finalists have met their challenges while satisfying exacting food industry standards for milk hygiene and herd health.
Well done to the National Dairy Council and Irish Dairy Board, and to the finalists, for showcasing dairy farming excellence to consumers, through these role models for the industry.
