Agri-business firm Richard Keenan & Co is to recruit a further 100 staff at its headquarters in Borris, Co Carlow, and in seven international locations. The jobs were announced following the introduction of animal feeding system which the firm says will generate sales of more than £50 million (€63 million) within three years. It will double the company's size.

The new feeding system treats farms as business units on a medium to long-term basis.

It involves best practices in management and nutrition and, while entailing significant implementation costs, aims at helping farmers to sustain produce of a high quality on a financially efficient basis, according to the company. The system relies strongly on technology and includes an online customer support element.