Tom & Mary O’Keeffe ran an intensive grass based dairy farm in Newmarket, Co. Cork and were members of the Bottom Line
Discussion Group. Totally focused on the grass based, low cost system with an emphasis on benchmarking and measurement.
They now provide specialised farm management software for farmers and contractors. They still retain farming interests and both
enjoy the outdoors. Each year they help organise the Positive Farmers dairy conference and international study tours.
“We enjoy being part of a group that motivates, inspires change and is of value to others. We have always
believed in the importance of measurement and benchmarking to further improve performance.”
Aidan Brennan is a partner in the family run dairy farm in Tipperary, he holds a degree in Agriculture and a higher diploma in
economics. He worked for Teagasc Moorepark for 7 years and joined the Irish farmers journal editorial team in 2015 as dairy
specialist He joined the Positive Farmers management team in November 2016.
“Passionate about low cost grass based dairy systems. Love to see people progress and achieve their
dreams and life goals.”
(Aidan Brennan)
Tom & Mary O’Keeffe
Aidan Brennan
The Positive Farmers continue to push boundaries to introduce world class information
and innovative speakers in a positive and invigorating atmosphere at our annual conference.
We aim to make the whole conference experience special for all our delegates.
Our enthusiastic team are always on hand to help. Led by Dena Murphy, our goal is to make
the Conference experience both memorable and as enjoyable as possible for all delegates.
Breeda, Dena, Heather, Emma and Ann (L to R)
Michael Murphy
Michael Murphy, a well known figure in Irish Dairying circles. Dairy farmer, entrepreneur and international businessman. He is a pioneer in
high profit, grass based dairying not just in Ireland, but worldwide. He has interests in farming operations in Ireland, New Zealand,
Missouri, and Chile. In addition he is director of several companies outside farming.
He speaks frequently at International conferences (
Australia, China, Germany, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, UK, and USA.)
He has
addressed farmers on topics including wealth creation and the dairy industry's international future.
Michael has lead over 10 farm study tours to New Zealand. Farmers that participated found the quality of the visits life changing in terms
of what it did for them and their farming businesses.
Michael now spends a large amount of his time mentoring young people starting out in Dairying. He also has strong ties with Moorepark.
“I’m passionate about superb quality grass based dairying. As dairy farmers we are price takers. So hence we compensate best for this by ensuring we are low cost
producers. This is best achieved by going the grass rich route which gives wonderful results over time. Highly skilled people, very fertile cows, strong financial discipline
+ superb grassland management will be the basis of a world class Irish dairy industry. This fires off high free cash + free time across the cycles. Simple resilient
systems but operated to an excellent standard give dairy farmers better prosperity and better dignity”
“ I love to help people to help themselves by travelling the well proven road to success and happiness. “
(Michael Murphy)
Positive Farmers Team
(Tom & Mary O’Keeffe)
Positive Farmers, Cork, Ireland
Open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Telephone 087 6457987
email: positivefarmers@gmail.com
Share evidenced based information,
resources and experiences that help
dairy farmers succeed
The Positive Farmers Group
Present Europe’s premier Dairy
Farming Conference each year
The ‘Positive Farmers’ are an independent
group of Irish farmers and industry leaders
who want to improve dairy farmer’s income
and lifestyle. Now in its nineteenth year, investing in helping to
develop a resilient dairy industry.
Founded in 1999 by Michael Murphy and Con Hurley is has grown to
be regarded as the best Dairy Conference in Europe. With
unparalleled networking opportunities, the Conference and its
influence has grown hugely. Large numbers travel from the UK and
other European countries and this year (2017) over 1000 delegates
attend this two day event. Many make it a family break before the
start of the calving season. The knowledge gained, networking
opportunities and the friendships build up make this the best
investment you could ever make.
In 2015 Con Hurley and Michael Murphy (Positive Farmers)
undertook a strategic review of the Dairy Industry, its challenges and
opportunities, This report was presented to the joint committee of
department of Agriculture. (Building a Resilient, Flourishing,
Internationally Competitive Dairy Industry in Ireland) This is widely
regarded as a blueprint for the dairy industry.
The two-day Positive Farmers Dairy Conference
is recognised as being the ultimate social,
networking and fun event for dairy farmers.
Our
Conference
•
Access to world wide, evidence-based research
•
Internationally renowned speakers, farmers and
advisors from Europe, New Zealand and the U.S.
•
Top performing Irish dairy farmers
•
Totally independent,free of all outside
influences
•
Opportunity to benchmark against the best
•
Provides a unique networking opportunity
•
Full of motivation, positivity, important insights,
and great people
•
Help dairy farmers build a profitable, sustainable
farming business
•
Promote simple, low cost, labour efficient
systems that deliver a good profit
•
Provide independent, high quality information
•
Motivate and encourage farmers to up-skill
•
Provide a pathway for young dairy farmers
•
Help farmers maintain a profit focussed
approach at all times
•
Provide leadership & have a global perspective
Our
Aims
A low cost grass based system, which focuses on
profit and labour efficiency and proves resilient
when milk prices fall or production costs
increase unexpectedly.
The two-day Positive Farmers Dairy Conference
is recognised as being the ultimate social,
networking and fun event for dairy farmers.
In 2015 Con Hurley and Michael Murphy (Positive Farmers)
undertook a strategic review of the Dairy Industry, its challenges
and opportunities, This report was presented to the joint
committee of department of Agriculture. (Building a Resilient,
Flourishing, Internationally Competitive Dairy Industry in Ireland)
This is wildly regarded as a valuable blueprint for the industry.
As an organisation we are watchful of both domestic and world
developments and its effects inside the farm gate. With our large
network of trusted contacts worldwide - industry leaders, advisors
and top performing dairy farmers, we take great care in formulating
programmes that addresses the current and future needs of dairy
farmers. We consistently provide material/speakers to improve
skills in key areas, grow awareness of opportunities and risk and
greatly improve profits and efficiency on farm.
Every year we strive to raise the bar for dairy farming and in 2017,
we want to seize every opportunity. From engaging and helping
to lead the industry, to strengthening ties with farming organisations
that share quality information. We also strive to make dairy farmers
more aware of how the global markets function, what factors drive
them and how this influences the price we get for our milk.
Our recent farm tour of The Mid West United States will help greatly
in understanding this sleeping giant which is now the second largest
exporter of milk in the world.
Aidan Brennan
Tom & Mary O’Keeffe
Michael Murphy
The Positive Farmers continue to push boundaries to introduce world
class information and innovative speakers in a positive and invigorating
atmosphere at our annual conference. We aim to make the whole
conference experience special for all our delegates.
Our enthusiastic team are always on hand
to help. Led by Dena Murphy, our goal is
to make the Conference experience both
memorable and as enjoyable as possible
for all delegates.
Positive Farmers Team
Breeda, Dena, Heather, Emma & Ann
(L to R)
(Michael Murphy)
(Aidan Brennan)
(Tom & Mary O’Keeffe)
Michael Murphy, a well known figure in Irish
Dairying circles. Dairy farmer, entrepreneur and
international businessman. He is a pioneer in high
profit, grass based dairying not just in Ireland, but
worldwide. He has interests in farming operations
in Ireland, New Zealand, Missouri, and Chile. In
addition he is director of several companies outside farming.
He speaks frequently at International conferences (
Australia, China,
Germany, New Zealand, Netherlands, Portugal, UK, and USA.)
He has
addressed farmers on topics including wealth creation and the dairy
industry's international future.
Michael has lead over 10 farm study tours to New Zealand. Farmers
that participated found the quality of the visits life changing in terms
of what it did for them and their farming businesses
Michael now spends a large amount of his time mentoring young
people starting out in Dairying. He also has strong ties with
Moorepark.
“I’m passionate about superb quality grass based dairying. As dairy
farmers we are price takers. So hence we compensate best for this
by ensuring we are low cost producers. This is best achieved by
going the grass rich route which gives wonderful results over time.
Highly skilled people, very fertile cows, strong financial discipline +
superb grassland management will be the basis of a world class Irish
dairy industry. This fires off high free cash + free time across the
cycles. Simple resilient systems but operated to an excellent
standard give dairy farmers better prosperity and better dignity”
“ I love to help people to help themselves by travelling the well
proven road to success and happiness. “
Aidan Brennan is a partner in the family run
dairy farm in Tipperary, he holds a degree in
Agriculture and a higher diploma in economics.
He worked for Teagasc Moorepark for 7 years
and joined the Irish farmers journal editorial team in 2015 as dairy
specialist He joined the Positive Farmers management team in
November 2016.
“Passionate about low cost grass based dairy systems. Love to see
people progress and achieve their dreams and life goals.”
Tom & Mary O’Keeffe ran an intensive grass
based dairy farm in Newmarket, Co. Cork and
were members of the Bottom Line Discussion
Group. Totally focused on the grass based,
low cost system with an emphasis on benchmarking and
measurement
.
They now provide specialised farm management software for farmers
and contractors. They still retain farming interests and both enjoy the
outdoors. Each year they help organise the Positive Farmers dairy
conference and international study tours.
“We enjoy being part of a group that motivates, inspires change and is
of value to others. We have always believed in the importance of
measurement and benchmarking to further improve performance.”
•
No hidden agenda, a consistent message - (none of
our activities are corporately sponsored)
•
Focused on sustainable, low cost, grass based
profitable systems
•
Global awareness to help plan ahead
•
Improve farmers management skills in key areas
•
Provide a platform for discussion & exchange of
ideas
•
Motivate farmers to be open-minded and
embrace change
The message is always the same with a growing
number of successful farmers reaping the
benefits, in particular during times of milk price
fluctuation.
Our
Promise
