Why Ireland?
Ireland’s lush grasslands, farmed by generations of families, are key to the success of our renowned dairy industry, which exports more than €6.4bn-worth of products to 140 countries in 2024. Ireland’s reputation for premium quality dairy is enjoyed globally, with consumers and trade customers around the world benefitting from its assurances in quality, traceability and sustainability.
On average, our 1.5 million dairy cows spend an average of 240 days a year on pasture, with our temperate climate, plentiful rainfall and rich soils providing the longest grass-growing season in the northern hemisphere. The result; our much-loved butter, cheese, milk and powders which are famed the world over for their quality and flavour.
Irish Dairy Farming
Some quick facts about Irish dairy farming.
Ireland produced 8.458 billion litres of milk in 2023. Irish milk collections have grown by over 33% since 2014.
Irish dairy cow numbers totalled 1.5 million in 2023. The average Irish herd size is 93 cows with a milk yield of approximately 5,598 litres per cow per annum
Over 16,000 Irish dairy farms are members of the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, accounting for 99% of production
Lowering Carbon begins with grass
Did you know that Irish grass fed production systems produce lower carbon dairy? Irish dairy farmers are committed to lowering carbon through sustainability practices from pasture based systems through;
Improved grassland management and soil health: To improve soil health lime is being applied to grassland. Lime balances the pH of the soil and reduces the amount of additional nitrogen required.
Improved use of manure as a fertiliser source: Farmers are improving the use of manure as a fertilizer source by utilising Low Emissions Slurry Spreading technologies which increases the utilisation of nitrogen by the grass and reduces the emissions associated with manure application.
Responsible use of lower emissions chemical fertilisers: To ensure there is sufficient grass available to feed their cows, farmers apply fertilizers to promote grass growth. Irish dairy farmers are increasing their use of chemical fertilizers with lower emissions such as Urea and Protected Urea. Additionally, 92% of SDAS certified producers in three-year average period 2022-2024 have incorporated clover into reseeding programmes for better soil management, demonstrating Irish dairy farmers commitment to reducing agricultural emissions.
Origin Green
Irish dairy farmers who are verified members of the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) are also members of Origin Green, Ireland’s pioneering food and drink sustainability programme. As members of Origin Green, the work of Irish dairy farmers and producers is measured and independently audited to drive continuous improvements across the supply chain in areas of sustainability. We are proud that Irish dairy farming is one of the lowest globally from a GHG emissions intensity perspective at an average of 0.96kg CO2 equivalents per kg output for three-year average period 2022-2024.
This is an 11% reduction from three-year average period 2014-2016 to 2022-2024, with further new initiatives being implemented to make a positive contribution towards achieving Ireland’s agricultural sector’s reduction target of 25% by 2030.
| Three-year Average | Carbon footprint | Litres per Cow | Days at grass | Uptake of LESS | Uptake of Low Emissions fertiliser (P. Urea) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2021 | 0.99 | 3,483 | 250 | 33% | 2% |
| 2020-2022 | 0.97 | 4,420 | 252 | 49% | 11% |
| 2021-2023 | 0.96 | 5,319 | 254 | 64% | 22% |
| 2022-2024 | 0.96 | 5,309 | 253 | 82% | 28% |
Why Choose Irish Dairy?
Ireland covers 6.9 million hectares. 64% is dedicated to agriculture. 81% of agricultural land is devoted to pasture, hay or silage. Increasing use of multi-species swards for greater biodiversity and animal health. Ireland’s permanent pasture acts as a carbon store.
The influence of the Atlantic Ocean prevents extremes of temperature so animals can graze outdoors for large parts of the year. Hills and mountains, many of which are near the coasts, provide shelter from strong winds and from the direct oceanic influence.
The Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme provides consumers with evidence that Irish dairy is a quality assured product, produced sustainably under an accredited scheme
A natural supply of water from the rain and ground provides sufficient water for agricultural purposes, therefore there is no need to irrigate the land. • Ireland gets an average of 1,7502,400mm of rainfall per year, ensuring optimum grass growth from February to November that will meet dairy herd requirements.
Dairy is a natural and rich source of high-quality: Protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals
Ireland’s PM10 levels are the 4th lowest in Europe – PM10 is particulate matter in the air that is 10 micrometres or less in diameter. Ireland is one of the seven countries in Europe with PM2.5 levels below the limit set by the WHO
Located in Tinahely, County Wicklow, brothers Joe and Michael Hayden run a family owned dairy farm. Being part of the Origin Green programme, the farm has been audited to meet the highest standards under the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme.
All milk is produced using a grass-based system with a focus on the continuous improvement of soil fertility, milk, grass quality, and herd genetics. The Hayden family have invested significantly in the expansion of their farm and dairy herd in recent years. Changes on Joe and Michael Hayden’s farm include;
- Farm area dedicated to the dairy enterprise has increased by approx. 20%.
- Cow numbers have increased from 150 to 170.
- The volume of fertilizer used has been reduced significantly from 65 tonne to 40 tonne due to improved nutrient management.
- Excellent grassland management has facilitated a compound feed reduction.
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What is the Bord Bia Grass Fed Standard for Irish Dairy?
Developed by Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, our Grass-Fed Standard is the world’s first independently verified standard that provides verifiable proof of the grass-fed status of each dairy herd. Therefore, it provides assurance for what we have long known to be true: grass is intrinsic to the quality of Irish dairy.
Bord Bia’s Grass-Fed Standard brings a data-based assurance that dairy is sourced from dairy herds that enjoy a diet that’s on average 95% grass and grass-based forage and graze in open pastures for an average of 240 days a year. Only dairy from herds that meet this threshold can bear the Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard. Our standard uses data collected during farm audits as part of the Bord Bia national Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme – a voluntary scheme operating under Origin Green, Ireland’s national food sustainability programme.
Through the Standard, Irish processors will now be able to provide proof to support the claim that their dairy products come from qualified dairy herds.
Only dairy from herds that meet this threshold can bear the Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard.
Bord Bia’s Grass-Fed Standard brings a data-based assurance that dairy is sourced from dairy herds that enjoy a diet that’s on average 95% grass and grass-based forage
To also meet the threshold, cattle must graze in open pastures for an average of 240 days a year.
Why was the Bord Bia Grass Fed Standard developed?
Consumers around the world are increasingly expressing a desire for dairy products that can be verified as grass fed and the market requires evidence to back the claim. Research from Ernst and Young shows that 50% of consumers globally now express a preference for grass-fed dairy. Almost two thirds (64%) of consumers are willing to pay more for grass-fed dairy, driven by its strong association with terms such as ‘natural’, ‘healthy’ and ‘premium’.
Nutrition Benefits of Grass-Fed Dairy
- Pasture feeding increased the amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the milk produced. Whilst the science is still relatively new there is emerging evidence that CLA confers a number of health benefits related to weight loss and reduced cardiovascular and metabolic disease risks.
- Feeding of a pasture-based diet beneficially alters the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid ratio in cow’s milk. Results from the study showed that milk from pasture-based systems has significantly higher levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and significantly lower contents of omega-6 PUFAs than that of indoor total mixed ration produced milk. The health benefits of increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids is reflected in many global dietary recommendations to increase seafood consumption.
- Pasture feeding increased vitamin B2, B7 and E levels. These vitamins are understood to have beneficial roles in the diet; Vitamin B2 and vitamin E as powerful antioxidants while both vitamin B2 and B7 are water soluble and need to be regularly replenished in the diet.
The review thus concludes that the benefits of grass-fed dairy extend beyond enhanced protein quality and quantity extending into other areas of human health and nutrition. (Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute – Nutrition Benefits of Grass-Fed Dairy, 19/06/2019)
The Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard provides rigorous assurance of Ireland’s commitment to producing dairy sourced only from pasture grazed herds.
The Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard for Irish Dairy has been developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders from the dairy sectors including the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Teagasc, Farmers, and dairy processors.
The Irish dairy industry is implementing this standard at processing level and products now can be verified. For further details and to read the Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard for Irish Dairy, please click here.
