Home to Cedarmore Holsteins, the O’Connor family’s farm based in Kanturk, Co Cork is set to host the 2026 Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) National Open Day on Wednesday 8 July.

This prestigious event promises to be a highlight in the agricultural calendar, offering a chance to visit one of Ireland’s most progressive, respected, and accomplished pedigree Holstein herds.

Operated by brothers John and Bryan O’Connor, the Cedarmore prefix represents decades of pedigree commitment, innovation, and continuous investment in top cow families and modern dairy systems.

The original Bawnmore prefix dates back to the 1950s, founded by Bryan O’Connor Sr and continued with Bryan Jr.

Between 2013 and 2014, John began purchasing his own cattle with the goal of expanding the family’s long-standing Bawnmore herd, which led to the creation of the Cedarmore Holsteins prefix.

By 2021, the O’Connor brothers completed a state-of-the-art robotic dairy unit at Cedarmore, and the herd was officially combined. The facility was designed personally by John, incorporating best-practice ideas gathered from farms in Ireland and the Netherlands.

Together, the two combined prefixes represent a united and forward-driven breeding vision.

Innovation and family commitment

Family involvement remains central to day-to-day operations, with additional support from skilled team members who contribute to the smooth operation of the herd.

The O’Connors have invested considerably in modern infrastructure, technology, and cow comfort.

The Cedarmore unit is a notable example of innovation within the sector, featuring state-of-the-art facilities designed to support cow welfare and high-output, sustainable milk production.

A robotic milking system consisting of three Lely Astronauts and a Lely Vector feeding system ensures flexibility while maintaining consistency and efficiency.

This approach supports the family’s wider commitments while also enabling excellent oversight of herd health and performance.

Sustainability is also key to the operation; in 2023, the farm installed a solar power system on the roof of the silage pits, providing a significant energy supply.

Nutrition

The Cedarmore herd is managed on a balanced feeding system centred on high-quality forages and structured nutritional planning. The Lely Vector automatic feeding system provides an additional buffer and balanced diet with added accuracy and efficiency.

The O’Connors place a strong emphasis on grassland management and sustainability, ensuring optimal utilisation of their grazing platform and additional support lands dedicated to silage and youngstock.

Consistent management practices underpin the herd’s performance in both production and type, enabling cattle to express their full genetic potential across lactations.

World-class herd

The Cedarmore Herd now milks in excess of 180 cows across three milking robots, with a pipeline of promising youngstock carrying forward the strengths of the herd’s core families.

The O’Connor breeding philosophy prioritises functional type, udder quality, fertility, and longevity, supported by selective investment in elite global cow families.

Their herd continues to expand genetically through the strategic use of sexed semen, targeted AI sires, and high pedigree acquisitions.

The incredible quality of the herd is highlighted by the fact that they currently have three EX96 cows scored in the last 12 months.

Show success

The O’Connor family has established a strong reputation on the Irish show circuit, with multiple high-profile achievements in recent years.

Their crowning glory came at the FBD Tullamore National Livestock Show in 2023, where Bawnmore Pepper Almeric EX95 claimed the senior champion Holstein Friesian title, before going on to win Irish Holstein Cow of the Year.

This victory beautifully echoed the success of her dam, Clongowes Sid Almeric 2, who clinched the same National title in 2016. Other notable show successes include winning the All-Ireland Junior Cow titles in 2016, 2022, and 2023, as well as taking the reserve title in 2019.

According to the association: “The open day is a farm family day out, promising a rich programme of activities including stock judging, trade exhibits, a youngstock sale and presentations. With the O’Connor family hosting at their modern, progressive operation, visitors can expect an educational and enjoyable experience suitable for all ages. Admission is free, and all are welcome.”