Brendan Brady of Innishannon is the first of three shortlisted for the Sustainability & Diversification award, sponsored by Scally's SuperValu, Clonakilty, in the 2017 West Cork Farming Awards.
BRENDAN Brady was a finalist in 2016 Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme Quality Awards in recognition of his environmentally-friendly farming practices. Based at Knockmullane, Innishannon, Brendan currently milks 138 cows with 43 hectares in his holding where he grew up and where parents Michael and Jane farmed before him. Now, with the help of wife Margaret, who also works part time, and sons Noel (15), Cathal (14), Ciaran (11) and Diarmuid (9), he’s looking to future generations with his considerate farming practices. Tree planting is something Brendan is acutely conscious of despite being intensively stocked. He still finds space for pockets of 20 to 30 trees on boundary fences or in otherwise wasted sections of paddocks. Improving energy efficiencies through things like variable speed pumps for water pumping and vacuum pump in the milking parlour (a seven-year-old, 20-unit De Laval system) is another focus of his during his day-to-day work. Regarding breeding, the herd is spring calving one, he has a 365 day calving interval; 96% of cows are calving in six weeks while submission rate from first service have averaged at 94 to 96% for the last number of years. The herd is pedigree Holstien Friesian with an EBI of 118. These all display Brendan’s commitment to running a sustainable outfit following best industry practices. • The winner of the Sustainability & Diversification award, sponsored by Scally’s SuperValu, Clonakilty, will be announced at The Southern Star and Celtic Ross Hotel West Cork Farming Awards presentation at 1pm on Sunday, September 24th, at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery.
