How calf and cull cow value matter just as much as milk yield for this 120-cow Kerry dairy farmer
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.
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Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Queensland Reds and Benetton join forces in unique partnership
Benetton Rugby and the Queensland Reds have announced a unique partnership which will see four Reds players join the Italian club on secondment. The partnership blossomed after an initial introduction through Wallabies great Michael Lynagh who won a championship with both the Reds in 1994 and Benetton Treviso in 1991-92. Josh Flook, John Bryant, Richie Asiata and Louis Werchon will temporarily transfer to the Treviso based club which will see the start of an exciting union between the two clubs. Over three months, the quartet will play in the United Rugby Championship. They will arrive in Italy in July and return in October meaning they will be free to play in the opening rounds of the URC in late September-October. They will remain eligible for international selection as a stipulation of the secondment. The partnership will see the Reds make a first trip to play Benetton in Treviso in November 2026. The game will be the first since 1980 that the Reds have played in Italy. The General Managers of Reds and Benetton Sam Cordingley and Antonio Pavanello began discussions in January in Treviso while the Reds were on a pre-season tour of Europe. 'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh. Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands,' said Cordingley. 'Michael's history with Benetton Rugby and as a 100-game legend with the Reds makes this unique. Obviously, Michael's son Tom plays for the Reds and brother Louis plays for Benetton Rugby. 'In my conversations with Antonio, we have talked through all things URC and Benetton Rugby and where the needs and opportunities lie for both clubs. Mutual benefits will drive this partnership. 'The wonderful experiences through secondments like this will not only support player development, with more matches outside Super Rugby, but also retention. The players will also add depth in key positions at Benetton Rugby. 'We want to be a club that leverages the appeal of rugby as an international game through strong partnerships with Benetton Rugby and Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, overseas tours and unique player-staff experiences. 'Rather than players leaving the club to experience chances like this, we are creating something unique while they are still Reds players with secondments at a famous club in a beautiful part of Italy. 'We hope to be creating fixtures and opportunities with Benetton Rugby long into the future.' Pavanello spoke abut a project that goes beyond just adding new players to the roster. "We are extremely proud to announce this partnership with a club of such historical and technical value as the Queensland Reds. "This collaboration represents an important step for us in an ambitious and long-term growth path. The arrival of four players from a prestigious competition like Super Rugby allows us to further raise the overall quality of our squad and measure ourselves against a dynamic, high-paced style of rugby, rich in technical content. "The integration will take place at a crucial moment in the season when the team will have to deal with the partial or total unavailability of international players due to their commitments and the mandatory rest periods that follow. "The addition of these four Australian profiles will help maintain a high level of squad depth and competition, strengthen various roles and ensure consistency at training and in matches." "This project goes far beyond simply adding players" Pavanello continued. "It is the shared vision to create an international rugby ecosystem capable of generating value, growth and new opportunities for players, staff and fans alike." 22-year-old Bryant is looking forward to expanding his wings with the new opportunity of playing rugby with the Italian side. 'I'm super excited. It's huge to get an opportunity with a major European club. 'I've been fortunate in my time at the Reds to have opportunities to play Wales, Tonga, tour for games against Bristol and Ulster and, recently, play the British and Irish Lions. 'It's awesome what the Reds are doing with more international opportunities. I'm glad to be part of it and it's going to be really cool playing at Benetton Rugby. 'I'm learning different skills and ways to play the game with these chances…and I love my pasta. I can't wait.'
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
Seán Gallagher says he will not be entering presidential election race
Former presidential candidate Seán Gallagher has said he will not be running to succeed Michael D. Higgins in Áras an Uachtaráin. Mr Gallagher finished second in the 2011 presidential election after being regarded as the front-runner for much of the campaign. However, during an RTÉ Frontline programme, the final debate of the campaign, a Twitter post wrongly claiming a man had given Mr Gallagher money for a Fianna Fáil fundraiser was read out by presenter Pat Kenny . The businessman, a former Dragons' Den panellist, had ran as an Independent candidate but his opponents accused him of being a proxy for Fianna Fáil, which was in the doldrums after the EU-IMF bailout and a disastrous general election in 2011. READ MORE The incident, just three days before polling day, derailed Mr Gallagher's momentum. Mr Higgins received more than 700,000 votes as he won his first term as President. Mr Gallagher polled more than 500,000 first preference votes. RTÉ later apologised to Mr Gallagher and paid him substantial damages for statements made on the programme. It acknowledged the programme 'fell significantly short of the standards expected by the public and required by law'. Mr Gallagher would run again in 2018 but made little impression on that occasion, polling just 6.4 per cent. He was rumoured to be considering another run at the presidency this year, and was seen in discussion with Independent TDs in Leinster House on two recent occasions. He had previously declined to confirm or deny any intentions. However, he on Thursday told The Irish Times he does not intend to enter the race. Fine Gael this week nominated former European commissioner Mairead McGuinness as its candidate, while Independent TD Catherine Connolly launched her campaign on Wednesday.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Sligo electrician's return to the books at the age of 53 is one he doesn't regret
Michael Walsh is now a Springboard+ graduate and is encouraging others to consider applying for a free or heavily subsidised higher education course through Springboard+ 2025, which is currently open for applications. Springboard+ has made over 800 places available on 27 courses in the Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim region, through a combination of hybrid and fully online learning. The courses cover areas including engineering, manufacturing and construction, health and welfare, and green economy. Michael was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Electric Vehicle Technology from ATU Donegal. He said: 'The education opportunities offered by Springboard+ are fabulous. 'I didn't have the interest or maturity when I was at school to apply myself to study, but aged 53, I completed my first course after hearing about Springboard+ through Sligo ATU. 'I really enjoyed the Bachelor of Science in Electric Vehicle Technology and I'm looking at completing another course this year in Construction Contracts Management, with a view to lecturing or teaching. 'To anyone thinking about a Springboard+ course, I'd say, take the opportunity with both hands and avail of every opportunity to learn. 'School just didn't suit me, but the course delivery for Springboard+ makes studying easy and provides lots of resources so people with other life and family commitments can access them.' Nationwide, Springboard+ has made almost 8,000 free and subsidised places on 249 higher education courses available nationwide for participants wishing to upskill or reskill in areas such as digital and green skills and other areas where job opportunities are growing in Ireland. All courses will commence between 1st July and 31st October 2025.
