McCarthy Farm — NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards

Representing Kerry Agribusiness in the NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards, the McCarthy (Callina) Farm in Callinafercy West, Milltown, Co. Kerry, operated by Sinead and Eoghan McCarthy, showcases a remarkable blend of tradition and forward-thinking practices.

Eoghan, the third generation to farm this land, has expanded and developed the farm into a thriving dairy enterprise. Milking 158 cows through an 18-unit parlour, the herd delivered an impressive average of 470 kg of milk solids in 2023, with an annual average total bacterial count (TBC) of 4 and somatic cell count (SCC) of 75. This performance speaks volumes about their commitment to milk quality.

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 Callina 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 parlour.

Milk recording is an essential management tool, with 7 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 reducing antibiotic use, for over a decade, with 60% of the herd currently receiving teat sealants only. Additionally, blood and faecal samples are regularly monitored to inform the farms 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. Eoghan considers that the best genomic bulls have yet to be sexed and has no problem selling bull calves and has sold a bull into AI company, so he hasn’t used sexed semen yet. In 2023, the farm invested in MSD Sensehub collars for heat detection and early health alerts, with the system monitoring cows 24/7 and sending real-time data to Eoghan’s phone. However, he may now reconsider the use of sexed semen, thanks to the success of the heat detection system.

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 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.

Eoghan is not just a farmer, but a passionate advocate for the Irish dairy sector. He has been a McDonald’s Flagship Farmer since 2013, representing Ireland’s grass-based dairy system at international conferences, including one in Indonesia. He is also a board member of Kerry Agribusiness and a member of the Killarney Young Farmers Discussion Group. His mantra, ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure,’ underpins Callina farm’s success, where attention to performance metrics has turned the farm into a model of efficiency.

Education plays a crucial role at Callina Farm. Eoghan and Sinead regularly host students from Munster Technological University and Teagasc Green Cert programs, providing invaluable insights into innovative farming practices. UK students from McDonald’s Progressive Young Farmers Program also gain hands-on experience at the farm.

They have one full-time employee, Padraig, who along with the students on three-month placements, works seamlessly alongside the family to complete a highly efficient and collaborative team.

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. Sinead is currently restoring an old cottage on the farm to provide accommodation for visiting students and workers, a vital asset for retaining talent.

Their children, Niamh (12) and Dylan (10), are deeply passionate about the farm and the cows and calves. Though still young, they are active participants on the farm while both excelling in sports like football, basketball, and rowing, as well as nurturing their talent for Irish traditional music. Their love for the farm and its values is evident, and it’s clear they are growing into the next generation of dedicated dairy farmers.

Eoghan and Sinead McCarthy’s Callina Farm is a prime example of what can be achieved through innovation, dedication, and a deep-rooted commitment to excellence in dairy farming. The farm’s remarkable achievements in sustainability, animal welfare, and milk quality make it a worthy finalist in the 2024 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Key stats: