Owen & Rosaleen O’Brien run a very efficient family farm, where quality and sustainability play an important part. The farm is also a good example of a smaller land base maximising its potential and efficiency through best farm practice.
Owen is the 3rd generation of his family on the farm.
“There is a responsibility that comes with taking on the family farm from my father and grandfather; you want to do them proud and continue their good work,” says Owen. He pays tribute to his parents Con & Mary saying: “I am proud to be following in the tradition of generations before me.”
“Quality and sustainability go hand in hand with profitability and good farming practices. As a medium sized farm there is a need to add value to all farm output, so every effort is made to gain quality bonuses,” says Owen.
Owen, who is a member of the Bandon Profit Discussion Group, scored 99% in the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme.
Farm Fact File:
Farm: 37.5 hectares, 18.7 hectares grazing
62 cows, average herd yield of 6065 litres
TBC: 8
SCC: 85
Butterfat: 4.03%
Protein: 3.5%
Lactose: 4.84
Find out more about all the winners.