A farming partnership that recognises the whole family

“It’s the first time in 30 years that I have ever drawn down any funding in my own name. It’s nice to be recognised for a lot of unseen work done over the years.” 

Those are the words of Annette Kearney, who along with her husband Larry and son Jack, Young Dairy Farmer of the Year 2023, have used the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) to invest in expanding their dairy herd and modernising their farm infrastructure.

The following case study is Jack's story, as compiled by CAP Network Ireland.

When Jack came home from agricultural college in 2015, his parents were milking 68 cows and rearing beef stock. The end of milk quotas and the launch of TAMS funding was the perfect opportunity to expand the dairy herd.

The herd now has 160 cows managed on a spring-calving, grass-based system. A modern 16-unit milking parlour has been built. 

Cow accommodation and slurry storage capacity has been increased from 105 cows to 230, while an underpass has been built under a nearby public road and Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment is now an essential tool in growing grass cheaply and sustainably.

The modern streamlined facilities mean that the workload involved is sustainable and allows outside labour to be brought in so everyone can get time away from the farm.

Speaking about his experience with TAMS, Jack says: “It allows you to have the proper facilities in place. With the proper facilities, you can be sustainable. We couldn’t have built the shed or bought the LESS equipment without TAMS.” 

The silage slab has been renewed after it was recognised that the existing concrete base was becoming porous and the risk to the local environment became obvious.  

“We had a potential pollution issue with a stream below the yard. We spotted it ourselves and we decided that we can’t have it. We decided that there was no point in doing half a job. We put in a proper slab, and it will be there forever more now.” 

Looking to the future, they are about to make use of Annette's presence in the partnership.  For the first time, as part of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, she will be able to access 60% grant funding in her own right (with a ceiling of €90,000) through the Women Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme in TAMS3 to invest in heat detection collars and automatic drafting facilities.

Jack agrees that TAMS has helped his farm to modernise by giving him extra financial flexibility and support. Annette believes that it has also allowed the farm to become more labour efficient and will enable Jack to manage the farm on his own when Larry and Annette retire. 

“Even from a safety point of view… if you have the proper facilities then it will be much safer when handling animals on your own."

Jack’s attitude to financial and environmental sustainability is impressive and his business decisions never lose sight of the importance of having a sustainable work/ life balance. The partnership is an asset that the Kearney’s have used to its full potential by identifying the future goals for their farm and using TAMS funding to achieve them. For the Kearney farm, the future is looking bright.

More details about the Kearney farm can be found on CAP Network Ireland, the national network dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development in Ireland.

CAP Network Ireland is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.