The rolling fields of Derry, Eyrescourt, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, are home to one of Arrabawn Co-op’s standout farms, run by Michael Larkin and his family. This 170-cow enterprise, nominated as Arrabawn’s representative for the prestigious 2024 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, showcases the epitome of family farming and top-tier dairy management.
A business graduate from the University of Limerick, Michael worked in a bank prior to returning home to farm. He ensures that every aspect of the farm runs with precision, but it is truly a family affair. His mother, Marion, plays a vital role, undertaking numerous tasks, including the post-milking cleanup and overseeing the cows crossing the road with the same care as a local school’s lollypop lady. His father, Michael Senior, brings expertise in machinery and crops, while he and Marion work hand-in-hand in rearing the calves. Outside of farming, Michael Senior is the secretary of the local point-to-point and has a passion for horses, with the Larkin family training multiple point-to-point winners from their land.
Linda, Michael’s wife, manages the farm's administration. They’re supported by a full-time farmworker, Steven, and a relief milker. Together, they ensure smooth operations and excellent herd care. Central to the Larkins’ strategy is their focus on improving the herd’s EBI, currently at 239, with replacements at 284, while breeding for increased milk solids, currently averaging 487 kg/cow. 30% of their herd is AI-bred to Friesians, and 70% to beef breeds, with a shift to sexed semen for Friesians in 2024.
Animal health is a key priority. SenseHub collars provide continuous monitoring of each cow, and a proactive approach to health ensures both cows and calves receive a range of vaccines to reduce the likelihood of disease and the need for antibiotic use. Dry cow therapy is minimised, with 70% of cows receiving sealants only. Hoof health is another focal point, with well-maintained roadways, foot baths, and an on-site foot-trimming crate keeping hoof health in peak condition.
Sustainability is deeply embedded in the farm’s ethos. The farm boasts a carbon footprint of just 0.78 kg CO₂ per litre of milk. A dedicated 2-hectare wildlife buffer zone helps preserve biodiversity, while Michael adheres to a comprehensive ASSAP water quality plan to ensure the farm’s impact on local watercourses is minimal. The entire farm has been reseeded, with red clover on 23 acres for silage and white clover incorporated into a quarter of the grazing platform. Impressively, no cases of bloating have been encountered. Slurry spreading is undertaken using LESS machines, fertiliser is spread using a GPS system, and protected urea is used throughout the land.
Michael balances his farm work with his passion for hurling. Still playing for Meelick-Eyrescourt and managing their junior team, he ensures farm activities wind down by 6 p.m. most days. Weekends are reserved for essential tasks only, and there is a regular weekend relief milker. This approach allows him to maintain an enviable work-life balance.
Not far from the Larkin farm is another Quality Milk Award finalist, Aurivo’s Dara Killeen. The two have been best friends since childhood, even standing as groomsmen at each other’s weddings. Both neighbours and competitors, they share a camaraderie that embodies the spirit of Irish farming at its finest.
With an impressive combination of sustainability, milk quality, animal care, and family dedication, the Larkin farm stands as a shining example of the best of Irish dairy farming, unafraid to showcase its excellence on the national stage.
Key stats:
Cow numbers: 170
Herd EBI: 239
Milk Supply (ltrs): 959,098
Concentrates kg / cow: 576
Milk solids kg / cow: 487
Fat % (weighted): 4.60
Protein % (weighted): 3.74
Milking units: 18
TBC (‘000 weighted): 11
SCC (‘000 weighted): 69
Proportion of herd using selective dry cow: 70%
Proportion of nitrogen protected urea used: 80%
Grass measures per year: 20+
Carbon footprint: 0.78
