15 Years of Progress and a 5-Year Vision for Shinagh Dairy Farm

Having been part of this project since its inception, reflecting on the past 15 years brings me immense pride. It has been a challenging, exciting, and educational journey.

Together, we have successfully navigated multiple milestones: launching the operation, achieving financial viability, advancing environmental sustainability, upgrading our facilities, and now, making dairy farming an attractive career for the next generation. A key highlight has been our team; we have welcomed students and staff from both agricultural and non-farming backgrounds, and I look forward to continuing this mentorship.

To support our people, we have consistently invested in labour-saving technologies. Moving forward, we will maintain an open mind toward any innovation that improves our daily operations.

Farming naturally brings volatility – whether through shifting weather patterns, fluctuating product prices, or livestock and herd performance challenges. However, we have consistently overcome these hurdles and emerged stronger.

Looking ahead, my hope is for Shinagh Dairy Farm to continue leading by example and demonstrating industry best practices.

Climate change will undoubtedly test the resilience of our agricultural systems, requiring us to adapt. Yet, the core drivers of our success will remain unchanged over the next five years: a grass-fed system, a high-EBI and fertile herd, and a commitment to working alongside nature.

We are fortunate to be backed by exceptional support from our Co-op, Teagasc, the Farm Zero C team, and the visionary board of Shinagh Estates. By collaborating with these partners, we will continue to adopt the best strategies to ensure the farm thrives well into the future.

Held on September 1, 2026, the above first appeared in the Shinagh Dairy Farm Open Day Proceedings (PDF).