Building on Three Generations of Dairy Farming

On the Irwin family farm in Northern Ireland, three generations of dairy expertise are coming together with cutting-edge technology to transform herd performance. Colin and Philip Irwin, third-generation farmers following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather, are managing a 330-cow dairy herd with a clear focus: fewer cows, better quality, and data-driven decisions.

With young George already showing a keen interest in the farm, the Irwins are building a sustainable, efficient operation for the future.

The Challenge: Closing the Fertility Gap

Like many dairy farmers, Colin faced the persistent challenge of fertility inefficiencies that were holding back genetic progress. With a calving interval stretching beyond 420 days and conception rates at just 34%, the herd wasn't performing to its potential.

"We needed to get on top of fertility," Colin explains. "You can't improve your herd if cows aren't getting in calf at the right time."

The Cogent Solution: Precision Technology Meets Strategic Breeding

In March 2024, after six years working with Cogent, Colin invested in PrecisionCOW collars for the entire milking herd. The decision has proved transformative.

Real-Time Heat and Health Detection

The collars provide 24/7 monitoring, sending alerts directly to Colin's phone when a cow is in heat or showing early signs of health issues.

"Money well spent," Colin says. "You know you have a sick cow before you even see it. It's picked up rumen issues, health problems—everything. And for heat detection, it's been brilliant. You get far better conception when you're AI-ing cows at exactly the right time."

As a DIY AI operator, Colin relies on the collar alerts to time inseminations perfectly, eliminating guesswork and maximising conception rates.

Genomic Testing and Selective Breeding

Every heifer on the farm is genomically tested, with only the top performers selected as replacements. Those that don't make the cut are put to beef, ensuring the herd constantly improves generation after generation.

Colin uses Cogent's Legend programme sires—including Captain, Thorson, John Boy, and Aspire—with sexed semen for his elite replacement heifers.

Strategic Beef Breeding

For animals not making the genomic grade, Colin has developed a sophisticated beef breeding strategy:

• Wagyu – Easy calving with calves reaching 60kg at just three weeks
• Culard Charolais – Easy calving with highly saleable calves
• Triple Impact Angus – High conception rates for use on lower fertility cows

"The Wagyu are easy calved and the calves grow fast. The Culard are the same—easy calving and the calves sell really well," Colin notes.

Results That Speak for Themselves

Since implementing PrecisionCOW collars and tightening his breeding strategy, Colin has achieved significant improvements:

• Conception rate increased from 34% to 40%
• Calving interval reduced from 420 days to 375 days
• Pregnancy rate now at 22%
• Production at 11,000 litres per cow with 4.20% fat and 3.55% protein
• Daily yield of 40.4 litres per cow

The herd is milked twice daily and fed a diet of silage and maize blend, supporting consistent, high-quality production.

Looking Ahead: Quality Over Quantity

Colin is happy with his herd size and has no plans to expand. His focus remains firmly on genetic improvement and herd quality.

"We're keeping the same numbers but constantly improving the quality," he says. "We're only breeding from the best now, and that's making all the difference."

With the foundation of Cogent genetics, PrecisionCOW technology, and three generations of farming knowledge, the Irwin family is well-positioned for whatever the future holds—perhaps with young George at the helm one day.

Interested in learning how PrecisionCOW and Cogent genetics could improve your herd's performance? 

Contact your local Cogent Genetics Consultant today or call 0800 783 7258 for free.