The Corrigan Dairy Farm, located at Batterstown House in Co. Meath, is a testament to the rapid progress and ambition of Eoin Corrigan, a relatively new entrant in dairy farming. Established in 2021 in partnership with his parents, Sean and Catherine, and his wife, Roisin, the farm has quickly earned a place among the finalists in the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. With 254 crossbred cows delivering an average of 445 kg of milk solids in 2023 and an impressively low TBC (8) and SCC (102), this is a farm making waves in the dairy sector.
Eoin is the fourth generation of the Corrigan family to farm this land, transforming it from a beef, sheep, and tillage enterprise into a thriving dairy operation. Spanning 147 hectares with an overall stocking rate of 2.24 LU/ha, the farm is efficiently managed with a 28-unit Delaval parlour, and Eoin has already hosted multiple grass management walks and an Animal Health Ireland calf care event, highlighting his commitment to both innovation and knowledge sharing.
Despite his recent entry into dairy farming, Eoin's hunger for knowledge is evident. He is a member of two discussion groups, the Greenfield Academy and the Mhi/Lu Discussion Group, and participates in the European Dairy Farmers network. To learn the practical end of the business, he started milking for neighbouring dairy farmers.
The Corrigan farm is truly a family and team effort. Alongside the four founding partners, the team includes Marty and Johnny Murray, Eimer Leonard, who is responsible for calf rearing, Claudia Durkan, the relief milker, and Patrick Egan, who works during the summer months. Remarkably, none of the staff had prior experience on a dairy farm, but under Eoin's mentorship, they have embraced the work, forming a cohesive and efficient team. A structured work rota ensures everyone enjoys time off, striking a healthy work-life balance.
Animal health is a priority on the farm, with bulk milk disease screening and vaccinations against blackleg, salmonella, leptospirosis, IBR, and rotavirus. Milk recording is carried out at least four times a year, providing detailed insights into yields, constituents, and SCC. Fifteen percent of the herd received sealants only, with the selection criteria being an SCC less than 50, and Eoin is meticulous about undertaking the procedure with no more than 20 cows being sealed on the same day. This proportion will grow as Eoin realises consumers won't accept milk from a mass-medicated herd.
The herd has an impressive EBI of 224, with replacements at 260. Eoin's focus on genetics is clear, with the entire herd genotyped. Fifty of the best cows, as well as all the heifers, receive high EBI sexed semen. With 75% of the herd receiving beef AI, Eoin is a believer in the Dairy Beef Index, which he claims will produce more saleable calves.
Sustainability is central to the farm’s operations. Eoin has open-topped cubicles and an innovative system for calf housing where he utilises a polytunnel suspended on the side of the first silage pit to create calf accommodation for 75 calves. Ten percent of the farm is oversown with white clover, while a 40-acre heifer-rearing block was reseeded with a red clover mix in 2023. The farm’s carbon footprint stands at 0.8 kg, and biannual soil testing ensures optimal nutrient management. Eoin is also committed to protecting the Boyne River, which borders the farm, by maintaining generous buffer zones. Eoin is concerned that non-agricultural sources of pollution require attention.
Consumer engagement is another area where Eoin shines. He is a strong advocate for farmers engaging with urban communities, regularly connecting with non-farming audiences. Eoin conducts monthly Zoom calls with the sixth class at his local Boardmills National School, offering virtual farm tours, and he is a proud participant in the Airfield Estate’s Farmer Time Program, which links farmers and students through digital video calls. The Corrigan farm has been linked to schools across Ireland, with Eoin even bringing a cow and her twin calves on a visit to Scoil Mhuire in Horeswood, Wexford.
Eoin’s wife, Roisin, plays a key role in the farm’s outreach, managing its Instagram account, which boasts over 3,000 followers. Her brilliant photos and stories from the farm offer a window into the world of Irish dairy farming, attracting followers from across the globe.
Eoin Corrigan’s drive, passion, and willingness to share his journey make him an outstanding ambassador for Irish dairy. His farm, though young in its dairy journey, is already setting a standard for excellence in the sector.
Key stats:
Cow numbers: 254
Herd EBI: 224
Milk Supply (ltrs): 1,259,647
Concentrates kg / cow: 800
Milk solids kg / cow: 445
Fat % (weighted): 4.92
Protein % (weighted): 3.75
Milking units: 28
TBC (‘000 weighted): 8
SCC (‘000 weighted): 102
Proportion of herd using selective dry cow: 15%
Proportion of nitrogen protected urea used: 70%
Grass measures per year: 40
Carbon footprint: 0.80
