Danny Somers and his son Dan, based in Barnacleagh, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, represent Tirlán in this year's NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards. There is the only herd among the finalists to feature the Montbéliarde breed - originally from France renowned for its fertility, longevity, ease of calving, and high-quality milk for cheese-making. The 230- cow her are milked through a 22-unit parlour. This mix of 25% liquid milk and 75% manufacturing milk produces an impressive average of 465 kg of milk solids delivered per cow annually. The farm covers 133 hectares, with a 78-hectare grazing platform and a stocking rate of 2.8 livestock units per hectare.
Dan, who graduated from UCD in 2009 with a degree in Agricultural Science, brought home a strong focus on grass management, conducting over 20 grass walks each year and feeding the data into PastureBase to optimise both the quantity and quality of grazed grass.
Animal health and welfare are top priorities on the farm with a comprehensive vaccination strategy to prevent illness and reduce the need for antibiotics. Milk recording is undertaken at least five times per year to identify cows with high SCC and the measure yield and constituents.
The farm’s proactive approach to mastitis management is reflected in their success. In 2023, there were only 12 cases of mastitis. They have yet to adopt a sealant-only dry cow therapy and every cow receives both a seal and a dry cow tube. Lame cows are treated with the same urgency as mastitis cases, with a dedicated lameness crate allowing for swift and efficient treatment.
Heat detection collars and an automatic drafting system ensuring tight calving intervals. Easing workloads and improving animal welfare, these technologies also assist with early detection of health issues, and all information is fed directly to a real-time app. The herd is entirely AI'd, with 20% bred to Montbéliarde using sexed semen for replacements, while the remaining 80% are bred to beef sires like Aubrac and Belgian Blue, with all AI conducted by Dan himself. Their dairy beef calves are highly sought after, regularly fetching prices between €300 and €350 and the Somers are proud of their calves which are some of the best dairy and beef calves in the country.
The Somers farm’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its environmental practices. The entire grazing platform is seeded with white clover, and 70 acres are dedicated to red clover silage. Protected urea is used for nitrogen fertilizer, and the farm’s carbon footprint stands at a low 0.72 kg. Water quality is also a major focus. All watercourses are fenced off with 1.5-metre buffer zones and reed beds and sediment ponds have been established to protect local ecosystems. Uniquely, the Somers even conducted water testing with a home kit, an initiative that deeply impressed the judges. Rainwater is harvested, and farm roadways are cambered to prevent runoff into water courses.
Wildlife conservation is another highlight of the farm. Over the past few years, the Somers family has planted 20,000 white thorn saplings, and a marshy area has been set aside as a wildlife sanctuary. Many hedgerows are left uncut to encourage biodiversity, allowing flora and fauna to thrive.
The Somers family takes a hands-on approach, managing all machinery work except for beet harvesting. Having once been involved in contract work, they possess all the necessary equipment to manage the farm’s operations. In addition to Danny and Dan, a cousin, Sean, works full-time on the farm, with UCD Agricultural Science students joining them for placements throughout the year.
Beyond the farm gate, the Somers are active members of the Rathdrum Discussion Group, meeting every six weeks to share knowledge and strategies with fellow farmers. Danny, a master stonemason, also showcases his craftsmanship through the stunning dry-stone walls that encircle the farmyard, topped with lavender and flowers to attract bees, further demonstrating the family’s dedication to both agricultural and environmental excellence.
The Somers’ combination of innovative farming techniques, environmental stewardship, and a passion for producing top-quality milk makes their farm a standout in the competition, embodying the spirit of Irish dairy farming at its finest.
Key stats:
Cow numbers: 230
Herd EBI: 99
Milk Supply (ltrs): 1,395,837
Concentrates kg / cow: 1000
Milk solids kg / cow: 465
Fat % (weighted): 3.94
Protein % (weighted): 3.47
Milking units: 22
TBC (‘000 weighted): 7
SCC (‘000 weighted): 167
Proportion of nitrogen protected urea used: 80%
Grass measures per year: 20+
Carbon footprint: 0.72
