300 Farmers Attend Open Evening on Our 2026 Dairy & Sustainability Award-Winning Farm

More than 300 of our farmers recently attended an open farm evening hosted by Shane and Kate Fitzgerald, winners of our 2026 Dairy & Sustainability Award and Farming Ambassadors of the Year.

The event gave attendees the opportunity to see first-hand the practices, innovation and commitment that have helped the Fitzgerald family earn recognition for excellence in dairy farming, sustainability and farm management.

Visitors were welcomed to the Fitzgerald family farm, where Shane and Kate shared insights into the highly efficient spring-calving, grass-based system they operate alongside Shane’s father, John. Together, they milk approximately 200 Holstein Friesian cows and continue to focus on improving animal performance, grassland management, sustainability and work-life balance.

Guests also toured the family’s recently developed calf-rearing facility, designed with a strong focus on hygiene, calf health and animal welfare. Shane and Kate spoke about their future plans, including the development of a new milking parlour that will further improve efficiency and support the long-term sustainability of their farm.

Speaking at the event, our Chairperson, Ger O’Brien, highlighted the value of sharing knowledge and learning from one another across our farming community:
“The turnout of 300 farmers highlights the strong interest among our members in learning from one another and seeing best practice in action. Shane and Kate Fitzgerald have demonstrated a clear commitment to continuous improvement and are excellent ambassadors for Irish dairy farming. We are grateful to the Fitzgerald family for opening their farm and sharing their experiences and insights with fellow farmers.”

Following the farm tour and technical presentations, attendees enjoyed a BBQ and artisan ice cream from local company Freezin’ Friesians, providing a great opportunity to connect, share experiences and continue the conversation.

Events like these showcase the strength of our farming community and the willingness of our members to learn from one another as we continue to build a sustainable future together.

Thank you to all our employees who played a role in organising and supporting the event. Your commitment and teamwork helped make it a great success for our members and farming family community.