Kilkenny farm family to share secrets of combining high production with environmental sustainability

Bryan and Gail Daniels, a dedicated husband and wife farming duo, are redefining dairy farming in Co. Kilkenny by combining high production with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship - and now they’re offering you an opportunity to ask about how they run their farm for environmental, social and financial sustainability.

The couple will be taking part in an online Q&A later this month.

Operating on 157 hectares (388 acres) in the picturesque Kilkenny hills, the Daniels family’s innovative practices set a new standard for sustainable farming while ensuring exemplary milk production

Cost-effective
Taking over their farm during the quota era, Bryan and Gail initially sought to maximize their efficiency, focusing on producing the most cost-effective litre of milk possible.

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Today, they have surpassed traditional expectations by not only producing a remarkable yield of 5,422 litres of milk per cow with exceptional quality - 4.35% fat and 3.71% protein - but also pioneering approaches that protect and enhance the surrounding ecosystem.

Sustainable
The Daniels’ have embraced sustainable practices well ahead of industry norms.

Since 2003, they have significantly reduced their reliance on synthetic nitrogen, achieving over a 50% reduction by incorporating clover into their pastures.

They’ve also ceased the use of chemical sprays for controlling dock leaves and are fiercely committed to using soy and palm-free feed, actively engaging their dairy processor, Tirlán, to develop a 100% soy-free dairy nut.

This critical decision aligns with their environmental ethos and aims to diminish their carbon footprint, thereby contributing to global sustainability efforts.

“Our mission is not just about high production; it’s about trying to do what’s right for nature,” says Bryan.

The couple’s careful breeding program focuses on traditional British Friesian cows, which are more resilient to bloat in clover-rich swards and produce better beef replacements, further enhancing the farm’s sustainability.

Bryan, a fifth-generation farmer, is keenly aware of the risks of burnout in the agricultural sector. To address these challenges, he installed a 44-point rotary parlour in 2016, significantly reducing milking time and enabling the couple to prioritise work-life balance.

With a focus on human sustainability, the Daniels’ ensure that all farm operations conclude by 5:30pm, allowing valuable family time with their young children.

The couple’s commitment to nature extends beyond milk production. They have established wide, dense hedgerows and are actively creating habitats for various species, including bats, insects and ground-nesting birds. Various birds of prey species, woodpeckers, solitary bees  and dragonflies are some of varied creatures that have made a home on the Daniels’ farm.

Habitats
Plant and tree life are also protected by wide field margins and underplanting shelterbelt underplanting, so they are well developed when the Spruce will be felled.

Plans to implement additional habitats are in motion, with three new ponds slated for future construction.

Bryan and Gail will be taking part in an online Q&A answering questions about how they run their farm for environmental, social and financial sustainability on May 20, at 8pm. Register for the online event on www.farmingfornature.ie

They will also be hosting a farm walk on their farm in September, follow Farming for Nature on Facebook, Instagram and X to be informed when tickets go on sale.