27-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
How calf and cull cow value matter just as much as milk yield for this 120-cow Kerry dairy farmer
Michael Cooper has expanded his enterprise by buying three blocks of land, building new sheds and a parlour, and importing Fleckviehs – after discovering the breed on YouTube while waiting on a cow to calve
Michael Cooper's approach to dairy farming goes beyond litres of milk in the tank. For him, breeding high-quality calves that command premium prices and securing strong cull cow prices are equally important.
Farming full-time for nearly 30 years since taking over from his late father at the age of 18 Michael has expanded the enterprise from 90 British Friesian and Holstein cows on 75ac to 120 predominantly Fleckvieh cows on a 200ac grazing platform.
