Eoghan McCarthy, the third generation to farm at Callinafercy, near Milltown in Co Kerry, has expanded and developed the farm into a thriving dairy operation. Milking 158 cows through an 18-unit parlour, the herd delivered 470kg of milk solids in 2023.

Operating on an 80-hectare grazing platform with a stocking rate of 2.2 livestock units per hectare, the farm focuses heavily on animal health and welfare. Prevention of disease is paramount, with the herd vaccinated against blackleg, BVD, salmonella, leptospirosis, and IBR.

The McCarthy farm also participates in the Irish Johne’s Control Programme and conducts regular bulk milk screening. To manage lameness, Eoghan maintains roadways, schedules a monthly visit from the hoof trimmer, and uses a foot bath as cows exit the parlor.

Milk recording is an essential management tool, with seven recordings each year and cows showing SCC readings over 200 subjected to the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Remarkably, the farm only had three cases of mastitis in 2023, though two of these required repeat treatments.

Eoghan has been a proponent of selective dry cow therapy, to significantly reduce antibiotic use, for over a decade, with 60 per cent of the herd currently receiving teat sealants only.

Additionally, blood and faecal samples are regularly monitored to inform the farm’s anti-parasite dosing strategy, ensuring animal health is closely managed. Genomic testing is another cornerstone of the farm’s success.

The entire herd is 100% genomically tested, boasting an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €243, with replacement heifers reaching an impressive EBI of €301. Eoghan uses artificial insemination with 60% of the herd receiving Friesians straws for dairy replacements, with the remainder bred to beef sires.

Maximising grass utilisation is a priority, with 40 grass measurements taken annually and PastureBase used to optimise growth and grazing. The farm’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its carbon footprint of 0.85 kg CO2 per kg fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM).

With half the farm lying below sea level, embankments maintained by the OPW protect it from flooding. Bounded by the River Maine and River Laune, known for their salmon and trout, the McCarthys implement strict environmental measures to safeguard water quality, including a generous buffer zone for slurry and chemical fertiliser spreading.

The entire farm is soil tested yearly, with 50 tonnes of lime spread in 2023, and 100% of chemical fertiliser is protected urea.

Biodiversity is a key focus at the farm, with 2,500 saplings planted over the past five years, as well as 100 trees. The farm is home to barn owls as part of the Killorglin Barn Owl Project, with an owl box placed in an old orchard. The McCarthys’ commitment to mentorship and education is further demonstrated by Eoghan’s completion of a labour efficiency course, the Kerry Agribusiness/UCC Evolve Sustainability course, and a Diploma in Food Business from UCC. Their children, Niamh (12) and Dylan (10) are deeply passionate about the farm and the cows and calves.