Austin and Yvonne Connelly farm with their four daughters, Ava, Anna, Jane and Kate, in Tuam, Co. Galway. Fifth-generation farmers, they are relatively new to dairy farming having made the transition just five years ago, after previously operating a suckler beef and sheep enterprise.
The Connellys milk just under 100 Holsten Friesian cows on more than 120 acres of land. Their focus on milk quality, animal welfare and sustainable farming practices helped them take home the top prize in the NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards in 2022.
Working together as a family, they have implemented a suite of environmental actions to improve the farms overall impact on the environment and the efficiency of their milk production. This includes grassland management, herd genetics, biodiversity initiatives and reducing fertiliser use.
