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Case Study: The Story of Irish Dairy Farming – 1961-2008

From the establishment of the Irish Dairy Council in 1964, dairy farming has presided over many changes but still is recognised and valued as a way of life in modern Ireland. This case study provides an example of what it was like to be a dairy farmer in the 1960s and how that compares today through the eyes of father and son on their particular farm.

The Murphys

Profile of a four-generation dairy farm family.

The farm

• 53-acre dairy
• 40 cow herd, all year milk supply, two calving seasons

Timeline

• 1959 – Dan's parents offered farm by Land Commission
• 1961 – Dan and Hannah move onto farm with Dan's parents
• 1964 – Dan and Hannah take over the farm
• 1993 – Dan takes early retirement scheme, passes farm to son John and family