In 2010 we walked into this farmyard on the same Quality Milk mission. The performance was top-class then and consistency in milk performance and quality remains to this day.

This is a split-calving herd with about 40 autumn calvers and 60 spring calvers.

The milking block is 26ha but 57ha are farmed in total.

The annual stocking rate on the platform is high at 3.6LU/ha so supplement fed is in the region of 1.1t per cow.

Robert has been contract-rearing replacements for the last six years.

The spring calves leave the farm at three weeks old in the spring while the autumn-born calves leave the farm in January.

Robert is selling between 30 and 40 surplus stock each year – they calve down and are then sold in milk. The Shannons also rear about 20 pedigree bulls.

Decisions

Breeding decisions are detailed and finely tuned and the result is that about 25% of the herd has been through at least five lactations.

Robert said: “I’m a fan of the EBI index but if a sire is huge on EBI and negative on health then he won’t be used. Some sexed semen and sires from America and Canada are used for real unique breeding lines for Ireland.’’

Robert’s son Steven is leading the charge this summer, showing pedigree Jersey and pedigree Holstein Friesian calves.

It’s fair to say someone could nearly walk in off the road and start milking in Shannons given the level of signage and warning notes in the dairy and parlour.

A holiday overseas forced that action and now that it’s done, it’s very handy for when a relief milker is needed. As on a number of the other shortlisted farms, a long-acting dry cow tube and sealer is used.

The herd is vaccinated for Lepto, salmonella, IBR and BVD.

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