No compromise on core farming principles,
Whatever the challenges or conditions!
Better Farming Better Business Better Living
Founded in 1999 by Michael Murphy and Con Hurley it is regarded as being Europe’s premier Dairy Conference.
The PFC is independent and is not aligned to any political, or commercial farming organisation. It has been run
independently since the first conference in 2000.
Topics are carefully chosen. Leading experts together with evidence based information and research give the direction,
clarity and the focus needed to achieve a profitable and sustainable dairy business.
We see family farms as the backbone of the dairy industry, and while we put a strong emphasis on improving both farm
management and financial skills to achieve the maximum from the farm business, we challenge you to look at your
choices in a strategic way. We are committed not only to improving the business performance of the farm but also the
overall lifestyle of the whole family.
Networking is also an important aspect of the two-day event and provides a huge opportunity to meet with like-minded
people who have similar goals to you. Those attending the PFC find it exciting, stimulating and strongly motivational -
A great way to begin the farming year
In 2015 Con Hurley and Michael Murphy undertook a strategic review of the Dairy Industry, its
challenges and opportunities. This report was presented to the joint committee of The Department of
Agriculture. (2025 AGRI FOOD STRATEGY COMMITTEE)
This is widely regarded as a blueprint for the Dairy Industry
Global Perspective
As an organisation we are watchful of both domestic
and world developments and how it affects inside the
farm gate.
With our large network of trusted contacts worldwide -
industry leaders, advisor’s and top performing dairy farmers,
we take great care to formulate programmes that address the
current and future needs of dairy farmers.
We consistently provide materials & 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 , 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.
Positive Farmers Conference
We have consistently promoted the GrassRich low cost principles to increase profits and improve
lifestyle on dairy farms.
With access to unparalleled networking opportunities, our Conference and its influence has grown hugely. Large numbers travel from the
UK and other European countries. The knowledge gained, the networking opportunities and the friendships build up make this a fantastic
occasion and invaluable investment in your future.
more that just a Conference...........
No compromise on core farming principles,
Whatever the challenges or conditions!
About us
OUR FOCUS
OUR OBJECTIVES
OUR BOARD
OUR TEAM
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 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 have always believed in the importance of measurement and benchmarking to further improve performance. We enjoy being part of a group that motivates, inspires change and is of value to others.” (Tom and Mary O’Keeffe)
Tom, Emma,Dena, Breeda & Nuala (L to R)
Breeda, Dena, Heather, Emma & Ann (L to R)
% Grazed Grass in the Dairy Cows Diet
Adapted from Dillon et al, Moorepark
GRASS RICH OR GRASS POOR?
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)
Simple - Low Cost - Profitable - Grass Based Systems
Better Farming - Better Business - Better Living
Focused International Farm Study Tours
Our International Farm Tours are an amazing opportunity to
expose yourself to the top performing and knowledgeable dairy
farmers in the world.
We take great care to formulate programmes that address the current
and future needs of dairy farmers. We anticipate the challenges facing
Irish and /UK dairy farmers over the next 5-10 years and explore how
these same challenges are being effectively managed on top farms. The
Positive Farmers New Zealand Farm Study Tours led by Michael Murphy
are described as both a business and life changing experience.
The lessons learnt on a Positive Farmers New Zealand farm study
tour can create a lifetime platform for success in your farming
business.
The study tour of Mid West United States is exciting and shows the
challenges of running a profitable dairy business in a continental
climate. It also explores the intense US Dairy Industry and helps
greatly in understanding the sleeping giant which is now the second
largest exporter of milk in the world.
It shows how grass based farming can be adapted to all conditions
and how good business and people management skills can help
grow a successful dairy farm business in challenging conditions.
(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.
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
No compromise on core farming principles,
Whatever the challenges or conditions!
Simple - Low Cost - Profitable - Grass Based Systems
Better Farming - Better Business - Better Living
Better Farming Better Business Better Living
353 87 6457987
Open; Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Any time you introduce a Machine between a
Cow and her Feed you introduce Costs.
GRASS RICH OR GRASS POOR?
With our large network of trusted contacts worldwide -
industry leaders, advisor’s and top performing dairy farmers,
we take great care to formulate programmes that address the
current and future needs of dairy farmers. We anticipate the
challenges facing Irish and /UK dairy farmers over the next 5-10
years and explore how these same challenges are being effectively
managed on top farms. The Positive Farmers New Zealand
Farm Study Tours led by Michael Murphy are described as both
a business and life changing experience
The lessons learnt on a Positive Farmers New
Zealand farm study tour can create a lifetime
platform for success in your farming business.
The study tour of Mid West United States is exciting and
shows the challenges of running a profitable dairy business in a
continental climate. It also explores the intense US Dairy Industry
and helps greatly in understanding the sleeping giant which is now
the second largest exporter of milk in the world. It also shows how
grass based farming can be adapted to all conditions and how good
business and people management skills can help grow a successful
dairy farm business in challenging conditions.
Colin Glass -
Dairy Holdings
(Moorepark data)
Every extra ton of Grass eaten = 161per ha
