Cork dairy farm excels in cutting carbon emissions
A Cork dairy farm has demonstrated that high milk production can be combined with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Through innovative grazing, nutrient management, and breeding strategies, the partnership of Aileen Sheehan and Philip O’Leary set new standards in environmental sustainability.
Source:
Teagasc Agricultural News
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⏱️ 2 min read
Cork dairy farmers Aileen Sheehan and Philip O’Leary have achieved a remarkable balance between high milk solids output and a low carbon footprint, earning them the top prize in the Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions category at the 2026 Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards. Operating on a fully leased farm in Whitechurch, Co. Cork, they milk a herd of 132 cows, producing nearly 500 kg of milk solids per cow with just 665 kg of concentrate feed per animal.
Their farm’s carbon footprint stands at 0.81 kg CO₂e per kilogram of fat and protein corrected milk, well below the national average of 0.95 kg CO₂e. This achievement stems from several key practices: optimising herd genetics with an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €155, maintaining a 93% six-week calving rate, and focusing on calves with high Commercial Beef Value to reduce methane emissions through shorter finishing times.
Maximising grazed grass intake is central to their strategy, with 14 tonnes of dry matter grown per hectare and a target of 300 days grazing annually. Soil fertility is carefully managed, with over 80% of fields at optimal pH and significant use of clover and multispecies swards reducing reliance on chemical nitrogen fertilisers. Their environmental stewardship extends to biodiversity efforts, including planting 2,000 trees and establishing new hedgerows, enhancing carbon sequestration. The farm’s carbon footprint was calculated using AgNav, with data drawn from Bord Bia’s Sustainability Survey, underscoring the importance of accurate record-keeping and expert advice.
Their farm’s carbon footprint stands at 0.81 kg CO₂e per kilogram of fat and protein corrected milk, well below the national average of 0.95 kg CO₂e. This achievement stems from several key practices: optimising herd genetics with an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €155, maintaining a 93% six-week calving rate, and focusing on calves with high Commercial Beef Value to reduce methane emissions through shorter finishing times.
Maximising grazed grass intake is central to their strategy, with 14 tonnes of dry matter grown per hectare and a target of 300 days grazing annually. Soil fertility is carefully managed, with over 80% of fields at optimal pH and significant use of clover and multispecies swards reducing reliance on chemical nitrogen fertilisers. Their environmental stewardship extends to biodiversity efforts, including planting 2,000 trees and establishing new hedgerows, enhancing carbon sequestration. The farm’s carbon footprint was calculated using AgNav, with data drawn from Bord Bia’s Sustainability Survey, underscoring the importance of accurate record-keeping and expert advice.
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