Each of these three herds — Toberfort, Ballygown, and Copperbeech — are led by dedicated farmers who have taken their family traditions and adapted them to the ever-evolving demands of modern dairy farming.
Despite the differences in their size and location, these herds share a common thread: a focus on genetics, cow management, and sustainable practices.
As 2024 IHFA Focus Farmers, we take a look into what makes these herds tick and how diverse the pedigree Holstien Friesian cow really is.
Toberfort Herd: A legacy in Limerick
Edward Fitzgerald, the fifth generation to farm at Tobernea in Effin, Co. Limerick, oversees the Toberfort herd of 90 milking Holsteins.
Originally a Dairy Shorthorn farm founded in 1876, Tobernea transitioned to British Friesians under Edward’s grandfather before evolving into the high-performing Holstein herd it is today.
Edward, alongside his wife Olivia, has brought a modern edge to the family tradition since taking over in 2008.
His breeding philosophy is meticulous, with a focus on selecting sires based on genetic traits such as Rump Angle, Milking Speed, and Temperament.
Utilising a team of predominantly American and Canadian proven sires and employing the World Wide Sires mating programme, Edward has shaped a herd that thrives in production, conformation and profitability.
The herd’s average parity stands at 2.87, and Edward’s keen eye for genetic potential has led to repeat local buyers for his older lactation cows, who benefit from the longevity and productivity of the Toberfort bloodlines.
Edward’s commitment to continuous improvement in breeding was highlighted in 2022 when the Toberfort herd won the Spring Section of the IHFA National Herds Competition.
Ballygown Herd: Breeding bulls with impact
Seamus and Louise Knox’s Ballygown herd near Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, is home to 300 Holstein Friesians, making it one of the larger pedigree herds in the region.
Their dedication to breeding bulls with strong milk production and solid fat and protein percentages has led to several Ballygown bulls being sold into national AI companies like Dovea, Eurogene, and NCBC.
Among the herd’s highlights is Ballygown Albert, a bull that has left a significant mark on the AI market.
His dam, Ballygown PKK Lucy, won the prestigious RDS-ICBF Dairy EBI Impact Cow of the Year award in 2022, a testament to the Knox family’s commitment to breeding animals that excel in both conformation and milk performance.
The Ballygown herd calves in two distinct seasons, with 50 heifers calving in November and the rest between February and April.
Seamus is focused on improving both milk yield and component percentages, with pedigree and proven cow families being essential criteria in sire selection.
The family’s commitment to genetic progress continues as they explore the implementation of heat detection systems to replace traditional tail paint methods.
Copperbeech Herd: A return to dairy
After a 13-year hiatus from dairying, Joe Healy restarted milking at the Copperbeech herd in Athboy, Co. Meath, in 2020.
Coming from a background in the steel industry, Joe is now blending his industrial mindset with the challenges of running a pedigree dairy herd.
Starting with 70 heifers, Joe has been methodically building up the herd while focusing on health traits, fertility, and conformation in his breeding decisions.
Joe’s strategy involves using both Holstein Friesian and pure Holstein bulls, with fertility being a critical factor. Any cows with poor fertility are quickly moved on to maintain herd strength.
A believer in grassland management, Joe was part of the Teagasc Better Beef programme, which has helped him refine his grazing strategies.
His adoption of Allflex Sensehub collars for heat detection further shows his commitment to technology and herd management.
The new Copperbeech Herd classified for the first time this spring and Joe is adamant it will be key to the success of the herd going forward.
Joe is enthusiastic about the future of Copperbeech and is constantly refining his breeding program as he learns from the herd year by year.
A shared vision for the future
While each of these three herds — Toberfort, Ballygown, and Copperbeech — operates at different scales and under unique circumstances, they all share a vision for breeding excellence.
Genetics, fertility, and innovation in herd management are at the forefront of their operations, and each farm demonstrates how careful breeding can lead to thriving, productive herds.
Their stories show that in pedigree farming, tradition and innovation go hand in hand, with the goal of building herds that are not only productive but also sustainable and resilient for generations to come.
