‘The dairy industry is constantly innovating’

"The dairy sector provides an array of opportunities and will continue to thrive, because it’s the largest indigenous industry in Ireland which transforms our only natural resource “grass” into human edible protein.” That’s the view of dairy farmer Ena Collins, who is optimistic about an industry that continues to grow, offering a wide range of jobs, while also providing high-quality products and maintaining a renowned reputation, both nationally and globally.

Farm management, marketing and research are just a few of the many career paths offered within the sector.

The Irish dairy industry remains vital to the economy, with a generated value of €17.6 billion in 2022. According to the IFA’s 2023 statistics, the average herd size is 90 cows and there are an estimated 18,000 dairy farmers. The value of Irish dairy exports in 2023 was €6.3 billion.

While the dairy sector has, and continues, to face challenges environmentally, it remains a prosperous, key component of the Irish economy.

Two women working in the dairy sector speak to Irish Country Living about their experience in the industry to date.

Ena Collins

Dairy farmer, Co Tipperary

Having grown up as one of 12 children on a mixed tillage farm, farming life “wasn’t alien” to Ena Collins. The now full-time dairy farmer worked with the local health board until 2002 before deciding to return to farming with her husband, Padraig.

The two met through Macra and Ena describes joining as “one of the best things I ever did”, going on to speak about how the organisation is one of many opportunities to meet people involved in the sector.

Another organisation Ena speaks highly of is Dairy Women Ireland, a voluntary organisation run by women from across the country involved in the dairy sector. The group runs a series of demonstrations and workshops, providing opportunities to support each other through networking and continuous learning.

Being a dairy farmer is not without its challenges. Ena remembers when quota restrictions were in place.

“They restricted you from expanding and realising the full potential from your farm,” she says. With regard to current climate change issues, she says her and her family are “doing everything we can”, taking on advice given in regards to the use of protected urea, incorporating clover, etc.

Although Ena has been familiar with farming since childhood, that does not stop her from seeing the continued value of her area of work.

“The dairy sector provides an array of opportunities and will continue to thrive, because it’s the largest indigenous industry in Ireland, which transforms our only natural resource “grass” into human edible protein.”

Nor does her familiarity prevent her from appreciating how ‘wonderful’ it is “being your own boss… out in the country and working with animals.”

Coming home to her family is one of the main highlights of working as a full-time dairy farmer.

“You can’t put any kind of monetary value on it,” she says.

Norma Hanlon

Commercial director, Kerrygold Park

Norma Hanlon grew up on a dairy farm in Rearour, Aherla, Co Cork, with three brothers and a sister.

“My parents, who are still heavily involved in farming, instilled in me a deep passion for the land and dairy farming,” explains Norma. “Today, my brother runs the family farm and supplies Dairygold Co-op. I am married with three children (ages 19, 16 and 13), and my husband Luke also works in the food industry, making our household very busy and fulfilling.”

Like Ena, Norma’s education initially pointed her into a different pathway than the dairy sector, having completed a Bachelor of Science degree at UCC, majoring in biochemistry. But it was that early-instilled passion that drove her into a different direction.

“I was selected for the graduate programme with Kerry Group and I believe my passion for farming and the Irish dairy sector played a significant role in this selection.”

Since then, Norma has had 28 years of experience working across the food industry with various companies and is now the commercial director at Kerrygold Park, which is part of the Ornua Group.

“As commercial director in Kerrygold Park, I have delivered several large-scale customer orientated projects, resulting in many new and exciting products being brought to retail shelves across the world, and from there to homes of food-lovers globally. I’m proud to be a part of the Kerrygold story. As someone from a farming background, there is a huge sense of pride associated with that.”

“One of the most memorable moments was the official opening of our €40m expansion at Kerrygold Park last October. This event allowed us to demonstrate the exceptional quality we deliver and support our mission to create value for the Irish farming community,” she says. “As a result of the expansion, we added several new permanent roles, bringing our team to 180 people across production, supply chain, quality, and other functions like finance, commercial, sustainability, and HR.

“A personal and rewarding aspect of working at Kerrygold Park is knowing that the milk from the farm I grew up on could be running through the plant any day, resulting in one of the most premium butter brands globally.”

Throughout her career, leadership, learning and development have been key for Norma, highlighting the continuous opportunities for progression in certain areas of the dairy sector and the benefits that can have for one’s career.

“I have continually focused on learning and development, particularly through various senior leadership courses, including a diploma in leadership with the Irish Management Institute.

“Very recently I completed the Ornua Global Leadership program with UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School. These broad experiences have been immensely beneficial to me in my professional career.”

Norma’s words offer encouragement and insight into what the dairy industry truly has to offer.

“The dairy industry is constantly innovating. Whether that be at farm level, processor level or through the development and marketing of products for consumers, it never stops.

“This constant level of innovation and change is one of the most exciting aspects of a career in the sector.

“Nothing stays the same for too long and it really is a career path that goes places.”