Shinagh Dairy Farm: People, Pasture, Purpose – 15 Years Forging a Sustainable Future
Summary
- Since conversion from a beef farm 15 years ago, Shinagh has moved through three distinct eras:
- Phase 1: Economic Viability & Resilience. After conversion our priority was to build a highly profitable, resilient, grass-based system on leased land. Shinagh dairy farm proved that s grass-based system could withstand market and weather volatility while delivering consistent strong returns on capital.
- Phase 2: Environmental Sustainability, Carbon & Water Quality. With the economics bedded-in, the focus changed to reducing environmental impact. The Farm Zero C project reduced our carbon footprint, integrated clover into our ryegrass swards to cut chemical nitrogen use, and deployed numerous technologies to reduce our climate & water quality impact.
- Phase 3: Attracting the next generation. Building on economic and environmental gains, the next phase centres on making dairy farming a sustainable, attractive career. To do this we will integrate labour-saving infrastructure, labour efficient calf rearing systems, professional rosters and single-operator farmyard designs – because without people the rest doesn’t matter.
Over the next 15 years, we are aiming to demonstrate dairy farming as an attractive career option for the next generation. That requires redesigning how we work: eliminating the spring drudgery and burnout through changing work practices, outsourcing farm machinery operation, and designing single-operator farmyards and streamlined routines. We are using Gurteen farm to show how share farming and staged equity models can help talented young managers progress from paid roles into herd ownership over five to ten years. Professional rosters, scheduled weekends off and farm facilities that recognise staff as professionals will become the norm – because better workplace culture lowers turnover and improves profitability.
Climate and water targets also demand clear action. Ireland has ambitious national targets for GHG reductions and must address methane, ammonia, nutrient losses and biodiversity. We are derisking the pathway to net zero for farmers – testing methane reducing feed additives, breeding higher EBI cows which have proven lower emission intensity, and demonstrating low emission slurry spreading, protected urea and grass clover swards. We will help farms meet ammonia ceilings and water quality obligations while retaining the pasture-based advantages that keep Irish milk among the world’s lowest intensity systems.
Finally, the dairy beef integration is central to our social licence. Shinagh through Tipperary beef farm will continue to demonstrate the value of high CBV sires and integrated dairy-beef systems.
We’re not waiting for policy to decide our future – we’re demonstrating the models that will keep Irish dairying competitive, sustainable and an attractive career for the next generation.
Held on September 1, 2026, the above first appeared in the Shinagh Dairy Farm Open Day Proceedings (PDF).