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

Better Farming Better Business Better Living

Range in Production Costs & Percentage Grazed Grass Grass Poor 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Grass Rich • More Capital • More Complexity • More Work • More Stress • More Risk • Less Profit • Less Free Time • Less Wealth Creation

% Grazed Grass in the Dairy Cows Diet Adapted from Dillon et al, Moorepark

CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18746632

Costs cpl (excl family labour)

GRASS RICH OR GRASS POOR?

No compromise on core farming principles,

Whatever the challenges or conditions!

Simple - Low Cost - Profitable - Grass Based Systems

Better Farming - Better Business - Better Living

Positive Farmers, Cork, Ireland Open; Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm Telephone; 353 87 6457987 Email: positivefarmers@gmail.com

Aidan Brennan

Aidan 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)

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. He has addressed farmers on topics including wealth creation and the dairy industry's international future. Michael has led over 10 farm study tours to New Zealand and has also led tours of Mid West United States. Farmers found the quality of the tours 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)

Tom and Mary O’Keeffe

Tom & Mary 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.” (Tom and Mary O’Keeffe)

Any time you introduce a Machine between a Cow and her Feed you introduce Costs.

Colin Glass -Dairy Holdings

Every extra ton of Grass eaten = 161per ha (Moorepark data)

Building a Resilient, Flourishing, Internationally Competitive Dairy Industry in Ireland

Tom, Emma,Dena, Breeda & Nuala (L to R)

Breeda, Dena, Heather, Emma & Ann (L to R)

(Aidan Brennan)

(Aidan Brennan)

Founded in 1999 by Michael Murphy and

Con Hurley it is regarded as being

Europe’s premier Dairy Conference.

The Positive Farmers is totally independent and free of all outside influences. Topics are carefully chosen. You will learn from leading experts who will give you the direction, clarity and the focus you need to achieve your goals. You will network with like-minded people who have similar goals to you. We are committed not only to improving the business performance of the farm but also the overall lifestyle of the whole family. 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. (2025 AGRI FOOD STRATEGY COMMITTEE) This is widely regarded as a blueprint for the dairy industry.

Aidan Brennan

Aidan 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)

With access to unparalleled networking opportunities, our Conference and its influence has grown hugely. Large numbers travel from the UK and other European countries. Many make it a family break before the start of the calving season. The knowledge gained, the networking opportunities and the friendships build up make this a fantastic occasion and invaluable investment in your future.

Building a Resilient, Flourishing, Internationally Competitive Dairy Industry in Ireland

Breeda, Dena, Heather, Emma and Ann (L to R)

Tom, Emma,Dena, Breeda and Nuala (L to R)

By Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 3.0, ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18746632