The Casey family from Causeway in Co Kerry was crowned winners of the Kerry Dairy Ireland Milk Quality and Sustainability awards for 2025.
Milking 127 cows on their coastal farm overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Caseys impressed judges with their exceptional milk quality and commitment to sustainable farming practices. Last year the herd produced 517kg MS/cow, with a somatic cell count of 108,000 cells/ml and an average TBC of 7,000 cfu/ml.
John Casey is farming with his father Michael and wife Orla, with help from students and part-timers. The farm has undergone a period of development over the last decade, with John focusing very much on the productive assets; soil fertility, drainage, reseeding and breeding.
Cows grazing at the Casey farm.
The herd EBI is €210, with €83 for fertility and €71 for the milk sub-index. There is a New Zealand influence across the herd, with Jersey and Kiwicross bulls used over the year putting the herd in the top 1% of Kerry Dairy Ireland suppliers for fat and protein percent in 2024, with 4.88% and 3.88% delivered respectively.
Back just four years ago, the herd EBI was €164 and the herd produced 477kg MS/cow, so steady progress has been made. A key part of the farm success is around grass and clover and John strives to get as much grass into cows as possible, particularly in spring time.
The farm typically grows 12t DM/ha, with John walking the farm to measure grass 37 times in 2024, highlighting the value he places on the information gathered.
Spring 2025 presented challenges, as storm Eowyn damaged two coastal fields, reducing grass availability and requiring additional feeding with meal and silage. Despite tight silage stocks early in the summer, excellent grass growth has since restored fodder reserves heading into autumn
On cost control, John says they think long and hard before spending money. The most recent investment was in a new cubicle shed which they completed at the end of 2024. This investment increased slurry storage, feed space and cow accommodation. It also enabled a reorganisation of the farmyard, with the old calving shed being converted to calf housing and a former calf shed now being used as a calving shed.
The new cubicle sheds at the Casey farm.
John says that these changes greatly reduced the workload in the spring and allowed for a smoother and more efficient running of the farm. Aware of the importance of time away from the farm and health and fitness, John and Orla are both regular gym-goers and have an active social life away from farming.
It’s great to see two generations working well together in a farm partnership
The Caseys have taken part in the Kerry Dairy Ireland Evolve programme since it was launched in 2022. For last season, the Caseys received funding for undertaking actions including using protected urea, potassium fertiliser, clover, milk recording, grass measurement, financial management, etc. Speaking at the awards ceremony, CEO of Kerry Dairy Ireland Pat Murphy warmly congratulated the Caseys on their achievement;
“We are proud to honour the Casey family for their achievements, not just in milk quality and sustainability, but also in how they have successfully managed family succession. It’s great to see two generations working well together in a farm partnership.
“By focusing on the key technical areas around breeding and grassland management, the Caseys have reduced their carbon footprint, increased profitability and improved their work/life balance, which are all key elements to the sustainability journey,” Pat said.
The runner-up prize went to Danny Bermingham from Doonbeg, Co Clare. Other contestants were Paddy O’Kelly from Drumcollogher in Co Limerick, John and Rachel O’Connor, Currans, Co Kerry and Michael Hickey, Caherconlish, Co Limerick.
An open day is planned for the Casey farm in April 2026 to showcase the management practices in place.
The Casey family from Causeway in Co Kerry was crowned winners of the Kerry Dairy Ireland Milk Quality and Sustainability awards for 2025.
Milking 127 cows on their coastal farm overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Caseys impressed judges with their exceptional milk quality and commitment to sustainable farming practices. Last year the herd produced 517kg MS/cow, with a somatic cell count of 108,000 cells/ml and an average TBC of 7,000 cfu/ml.
John Casey is farming with his father Michael and wife Orla, with help from students and part-timers. The farm has undergone a period of development over the last decade, with John focusing very much on the productive assets; soil fertility, drainage, reseeding and breeding.
Cows grazing at the Casey farm.
The herd EBI is €210, with €83 for fertility and €71 for the milk sub-index. There is a New Zealand influence across the herd, with Jersey and Kiwicross bulls used over the year putting the herd in the top 1% of Kerry Dairy Ireland suppliers for fat and protein percent in 2024, with 4.88% and 3.88% delivered respectively.
Back just four years ago, the herd EBI was €164 and the herd produced 477kg MS/cow, so steady progress has been made. A key part of the farm success is around grass and clover and John strives to get as much grass into cows as possible, particularly in spring time.
The farm typically grows 12t DM/ha, with John walking the farm to measure grass 37 times in 2024, highlighting the value he places on the information gathered.
Spring 2025 presented challenges, as storm Eowyn damaged two coastal fields, reducing grass availability and requiring additional feeding with meal and silage. Despite tight silage stocks early in the summer, excellent grass growth has since restored fodder reserves heading into autumn
On cost control, John says they think long and hard before spending money. The most recent investment was in a new cubicle shed which they completed at the end of 2024. This investment increased slurry storage, feed space and cow accommodation. It also enabled a reorganisation of the farmyard, with the old calving shed being converted to calf housing and a former calf shed now being used as a calving shed.
The new cubicle sheds at the Casey farm.
John says that these changes greatly reduced the workload in the spring and allowed for a smoother and more efficient running of the farm. Aware of the importance of time away from the farm and health and fitness, John and Orla are both regular gym-goers and have an active social life away from farming.
It’s great to see two generations working well together in a farm partnership
The Caseys have taken part in the Kerry Dairy Ireland Evolve programme since it was launched in 2022. For last season, the Caseys received funding for undertaking actions including using protected urea, potassium fertiliser, clover, milk recording, grass measurement, financial management, etc. Speaking at the awards ceremony, CEO of Kerry Dairy Ireland Pat Murphy warmly congratulated the Caseys on their achievement;
“We are proud to honour the Casey family for their achievements, not just in milk quality and sustainability, but also in how they have successfully managed family succession. It’s great to see two generations working well together in a farm partnership.
“By focusing on the key technical areas around breeding and grassland management, the Caseys have reduced their carbon footprint, increased profitability and improved their work/life balance, which are all key elements to the sustainability journey,” Pat said.
The runner-up prize went to Danny Bermingham from Doonbeg, Co Clare. Other contestants were Paddy O’Kelly from Drumcollogher in Co Limerick, John and Rachel O’Connor, Currans, Co Kerry and Michael Hickey, Caherconlish, Co Limerick.
An open day is planned for the Casey farm in April 2026 to showcase the management practices in place.
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