Carbery Group and Teagasc have launched their new joint Programme for 2026-2030. The new joint programme will place a strong emphasis on safeguarding and strengthening the existing milk supply base while supporting sustainable growth in milk solids production. Pictured at the launch (l to r): Jason Hawkins CEO Carbery Group; Darragh O’Donovan, Farm Sustainability Lead Carbery; Michael & Fachtna Collins, Demonstration Farmers; Gráinne Hurley Teagasc Regional Advisory Manager Cork West; Joan Collins, Tom Curran Teagasc Head of Advisory Services; Don Crowley, Teagasc Joint Programme Co-ordinator, and Enda Buckley, Director of Sustainability Carbery.

The objective of the dairy joint programme, running since 1998, is to lead and demonstrate the development of sustainable dairy farming in West Cork.  Over almost three decades, the programme has played a key role in driving improvements in farm profitability, grassland management, milk quality and sustainability across the region.

The new joint programme will place a strong emphasis on safeguarding and strengthening the existing milk supply base while supporting sustainable growth in milk solids production. This will be achieved through improved pasture utilisation, enhanced herd genetic merit, and better herd fertility performance, alongside measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality, and promote biodiversity.

Generational renewal will also be a central priority. With the average age of dairy farmers continuing to rise and labour availability becoming increasingly constrained, encouraging the next generation into dairy farming is essential in West Cork.  This will help secure the long-term sustainability of milk production, a sector that supports thousands of jobs across West Cork and contributes significantly to the regional economy.

The programme will support Carbery’s farmer shareholders in building profitable, resilient and sustainable farm businesses while responding to evolving environmental, economic and labour challenges.

Gráinne Hurley, regional advisory manager of Teagasc in Cork West expressed her thanks to Carbery and the four West Cork co-ops (Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird) for the renewal of the programme, commenting; “The joint programme plays a vital role in our advisory programme, guiding the advancement of dairy farming in the region. As an advisory team, we are excited to collaborate with all farmers and members of the broader agricultural community in West Cork throughout the next five years.”

Carbery Group Chair Vincent O’Donovan also welcomed the renewal of the programme, stating; “This programme has been delivering real value to West Cork farmers for almost 30 years. As we look to the future, our focus is on helping farm families remain profitable, sustainable and resilient while supporting the next generation of dairy farmers. Working together with Teagasc and our co-operatives, we can continue to build a strong future for dairy farming and for rural communities across West Cork.”

A new addition to the joint programme will be collaboration with the Teagasc GROdairy project.  The project seeks to address the critical challenge of generational renewal in the Irish dairy sector, where almost half of farm families do not have an identified successor and young entrants face significant barriers to land access and progression. Two of the farms involved will demonstrate collaborative farming models in real-world farm settings, highlighting financial, technical, and interpersonal dimensions.

The joint programme will be co-ordinated by Don Crowley of Teagasc, supported by the Teagasc dairy, drystock and climate advisory teams in West Cork.  The team will collaborate and work closely with Carbery and the advisors and staff in each of the four West Cork co-operatives, Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird.

Monitor Farmers

Table 1 gives the list of monitor farmers in each co-operative and their herd size. Don Crowley, Teagasc Cork West says; “The success of the programme relies on the commitment and collaboration of our demonstration farmers and families, we are fortunate to have an excellent group of participants involved in this latest Joint Programme. Each farm is a family-run enterprise, with farmers supported by dedicated family members who will also play an important role and be highlighted throughout the programme.”

Co-Operative	Family	Location	Herd Size
Bandon	McCarthy	Upton	180
Bandon	Shorten	Enniskeane	140
Barryroe	Walsh	Timoleague	300
Barryroe	Murray	Timoleague	100
Drinagh	Coombes	Skibbereen	200
Drinagh	O’Donovan	Drimoleague	190
Drinagh	O’Donovan	Leap	80
Lisavaird	Collins	Ballineen	110
Lisavaird	Cunnane	Lisavaird	130
Shinagh Dairy Farm	Ahern	Bandon	240
Gurteen Share Farm	Desmond	Bandon	96

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