Latest news with #BarryO'Mahony
Agriland
01-08-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Dairy Focus Animal Welfare and Sustainability on West Cork Farm
Animal welfare and sustainability are the main focus areas for a west Cork dairy farming family. Farmer Barry O'Mahony said: 'Our cow is at the center of every decision we make and everything we do, she is effectively our CEO.' O'Mahony is milking a 200-head pedigree Holstein herd, near Bandon in west Cork and has been suppling Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur for the past nine years. Source: Barry O'Mahony Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur claims to be the world's first farm-to-table Irish Cream Liqueur, sourced and produced in Co. Cork. Barry O'Mahony is a fifth generation farmer at Berell Farm Ltd., farming alongside his wife, parents and two children, on their family farm in west Cork. O'Mahony spoke to Agriland to tell us about the systems he has in place to ensure the highest productivity and yields, while also keeping animal welfare at the heart of every operation. He said: 'We were looking for ways to get into a niche market that would diversify ourselves a little bit. "I heard about Five Farm through my local co-op; I liked the farm-to-table idea, with the story of being a small west Cork farm." One of the areas that Barry O'Mahony is particularly passionate about is animal welfare and how this can be harnessed to improve yields and overall production. Two key initiatives implemented on the farm to boost cow welfare and overall health is an on-farm "maternity unit" and "pamper paddock". The "maternity unit" is located very close to the milking parlour, and is a straw bedded area that is used as a recovery unit for cows that may be sick or recovering from anything, especially after calving. Dry-bedded maternity unit. Source: Barry O'Mahony O'Mahony explained: 'Our calving is spread over 10 months of the year, so we can allow time for cows to recover in there because we never have a very hectic schedule of calving, typically calving a cow per day.' 'In keeping with that we have what is called a pamper paddock, which is a paddock right beside the parlour; it's for maybe older girls or cows recovering from lameness. 'We just don't want them to do the long walk, our furthest paddock away from the parlour is 1.3km which isn't very long, but I'd just prefer they walked zero kilometers," he added. 'Everyone's got a different way of farming, and you have to respect that, but that's the way I like doing it. 'It's the way I like to show my kids how to do it, so they grow up knowing how to respect cows and how to treat them. 'It's very important from a consumer perspective, that the dairy industry is seen as being caring for the animals. We should see those animals as something to be nurtured and protected, rather than disposable commodities." When asked about the sustainability of his farm, O'Mahony told Agriland that it has always been at the "forefront" of his mind but in ways that are maybe "not talked about as much". He said: 'A farm that isn't sustainable for one generation most likely won't be for the next. 'Sustainability in my mind is when I see the next generation coming on board, making it an awful lot more important. Isaac O'Mahony with pedigree Holstein cow. Source: Barry O'Mahony. 'Very important to us is the sustainability of our animals and not seeing cows as being disposable and working with them to help their longevity. 'Helping cows to live longer, and keeping your replacement rates low has a huge impact on farm sustainability, as you're rearing less replacements, and the emissions they would bring.' O'Mahony has also taken a number of steps to reduce the environmental burden of the farm, such as: Reducing fertiliser inputs; Incorporating clover into swards; Reducing the amount of soya in concentrates; Feeding distillery feed by-products. Since 2018 Berell Farm Ltd., has been using innovative technology to monitor and track cows' health and well-being. The ear-tag cow manager health monitors help O'Mahony during sensitive transitional periods. He said: 'We adopted the technology in 2018, initially just as a heat detection system. "The ability it gave us to manage individual cow health was unbelievable. "The transition from dry cow into lactation can be quite a delicate time, so managing that period is crucial for the efficiency of the whole lactation and the health of the cow. 'The ability this system gave us to manage that period was incredible.' Pedigree Holstein Cows. Source: Barry O'Mahony. O'Mahony explained that in their particular system there is a specific transition monitor that notes the cow's eating, rumination rates, and temperature, flagging up cows with problems before any visual issue is detected. When asked if he felt the technology had improved his work-life balance, O'Mahony said: "It really focused our time on the cows that had issues, saving time visually assessing them as they came into the parlour, completely streamlining the process.' 'We saw a 5% or 6% percent lift in milk in the first 12 months that I would entirely put down to our management style changing."
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ADU wraps up successful international conferences in Dubai
UAE, Abu Dhabi: Under the patronage of Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Abu Dhabi University (ADU), in collaboration with Instituto Marangoni and the International Experts for Research Enrichment and Knowledge Exchange (IEREK), successfully concluded the second edition of the International Conference on Environmental Design, Material Science, and Engineering Technologies (EDMSET) and the inaugural of the international conference on Sustainable Creative Art (SCIN) from 22 to 24 April across three prestigious venues in Dubai. The event united global researchers, designers, industry leaders, and academics to exchange research in sustainable engineering and environmental design. Participants developed solutions to advance environmental and social responsibility through keynote speeches, masterclasses, and interactive sessions, reinforcing the UAE's community-centered sustainability agenda. The conference kicked off at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, with 350 attendees from various fields such as architectural engineering, urban planning, electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, and creative industries. The opening ceremony featured remarks by Prof. Barry O'Mahony, Provost of Abu Dhabi University, and was honored by the presence of VIP guests, including Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and His Excellency Edoardo Napoli, Consul General of Italy in Dubai. The ceremony set the tone for the three-day event, highlighting the critical role of integrating environmental considerations into engineering practices and fostering innovative solutions. Continuing onto its second day, EDMSET and SCIN continued at ADU's Dubai campus and featured a diverse lineup of lectures, papers, and masterclasses. The sessions covered a range of topics focused on design, material science innovations, clean energy, urban resilience, eco-friendly technologies, and the role of heritage in sustainable architectural design. The final day featured virtual sessions that enabled broader participation and knowledge sharing across borders. In the evening, the conference concluded with a networking dinner hosted at Istituto Marangoni, where cross-disciplinary collaboration continued to thrive. The gathering offered attendees a chance to connect, reflect on key takeaways, and explore future opportunities for joint research and innovation. Prof. Barry O'Mahony, Provost of Abu Dhabi University, said: 'Building on last year's success, the second edition of EDMSET reaffirmed our commitment to cutting-edge research, sustainable practices, and the UAE's 'Year of Community.' At ADU, we believe in the power of collaboration for the betterment of both our society and the environment. The conference exemplifies how interdisciplinary cooperation among researchers, professionals, and students contributes not only to academic and technological progress but also to a broader, positive societal impact. It's about combining expertise to drive forward solutions that address both local and global challenges, making the UAE's vision for a sustainable and community-focused future a reality.' The event also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing attendees to collaborate with peers across diverse fields. In addition to academic discussions, participants explored ADU's state-of-the-art facilities and visited leading organizations working in sustainability and innovation. This year's edition saw participation from top academic institutions, including the University of Sharjah (UOS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and the University of Pisa, all of whom contributed valuable insights and research to the program. About Abu Dhabi University: Abu Dhabi University (ADU) is one of the region's leading academic institutions, translating the UAE Government's National Agenda to deliver internationally accredited academic programs and world-class research. Established in 2003, with campuses across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai, the University serves around 8,700 students from over 100 nationalities. The University is home to five colleges across different disciplines including arts and sciences, business, engineering, health sciences, and law, while offering a diverse range of over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, ADU ranks 191 globally. Additionally, it ranks second in the UAE and 172nd globally for its research quality, and it is among the top three universities in the UAE, while holding the number one position in the teaching pillar. Additionally, THE Rankings has recognized the University's Business and Economics subject area as number one in the UAE and the Arab region. The University has made an impressive performance in THE Young University Rankings 2024, ranking in the 60th position globally among the world's best universities that are 50 years or younger. Furthermore, the University jumped to the 70th place in the prestigious THE Asia University Rankings 2025 and was ranked first in the UAE for graduate employability as per the Global University Employability Ranking 2023-24. Parallelly, ADU ranks in 501 globally, according to the 2025 edition of the QS World University Rankings, advancing 79 places. ADU continues to empower faculty and students with state-of-the-art resources, facilities, and learning opportunities that foster innovation and support research-based problem-solving. The University maintains strong international collaborations with leading academic institutions and public and private sector organizations, with institutional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges' Senior College and University Commission (WASC).
