Cow health and welfare underpin everything on this farm. The premises, housing, yards and machines are kept clean at all times; and the attention to detail is rewarded with excellent and consistent top quality milk results.
The farmyard integrates a very modern milking unit into the charm and tradition of an old farm yard, preserving a long established heritage of milk production on this farm.
John and Ann, who are the third generation farming at Gobbinstown, work as a partnership on the farm. John’s father, Dermot, is officially retired but active on the farm. There is a friendly banter during the work day which supports a positive work-life balance as well as the production of top quality milk.
The Fitzgeralds manage their farm and farm practices using a sustainable approach, incorporating good animal husbandry with excellent care of the environment.
The farm scores highly on the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme with practices ranging from conservation of wildlife, habitats and hedgerows to efficiencies in the 16 unit milking parlour installed in 2011.
Farm Fact File:
Farm: 94 hectares, 46 hectares grazing, 96 cows
Average herd yield: 7,000 litres
TBC: 4
SCC: 112
Butterfat: 3.96%
Protein: 3.39%
Lactose: 4.9%
Thermadurics: 200
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