Sustaining dairy goodness for generations to come

Grass roots sustainability
Sustaining a healthy, family business has always been at the heart of Irish dairy farming. We have a unique agri-environment built on natural, pasture-based dairy farming with family at its heart. Because Carbery is a dairy processor that’s owned by its milk suppliers, our commitment to supporting the traditions of quality in Irish dairy farming is part of who we are.
Ireland’s unique climate provides dairy farmers with an advantageous environment for sustainable farming. Up to 80% of land is used to grow grass so that cows can graze naturally outdoors for up to 300 days a year and since Ireland has the longest grass growing season in the world, cows still enjoy a grass-fed diet (silage) for the reminder of the year.
Naturally efficient milk production
Irish cows traditionally calve in spring. This means our natural peak in milk production coincides with the natural peak in grass growth. With a plentiful supply of rain throughout the year, we have a natural irrigation system to keep our grass healthy, green and lush. Together this creates the perfect environment for sustainable dairy farming making Ireland the most carbon efficient milk producer in the EU with the lowest water stress index in the world.
Ireland’s first for best practice
Greener Dairy Farms™ is Carbery’s innovative, dairy efficiency programme designed to measure, monitor and optimise resource allocation and best practice on farm. We focus on carbon emissions, water and soil nutrient management. Valuable learnings are disseminated through our farm walks, workshops with vets and milk quality advisors and discussion groups. Our sustainability research is undertaken in collaboration with Teagasc, the national agricultural authority supporting science-based innovation in the agri-food sector.
Proof of Quality Provenance
Carbery recognise and foster excellence in our dairy farming community through our annual Supplier Milk Quality Awards. Our milk pool is also supported by Bord Bia’s Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS), a national, independently accredited, sustainability and quality assurance scheme. On-farm dairy audits support our priorities in areas such as traceability, environment, biodiversity, animal health and welfare. Download the Assurance Standard here.
Visit our Sustainability page
Find out more on sustainability at Carbery
Interested in the Carbery approach?
Aine Hallihan
Head of Innovation
ahallihan@carbery.com
Tel: +353 23 882 2377
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