CAFRE agriculture apprentices gain industry insight on study tour

Date published: 11 May 2026

The tour highlighted best practice across beef and dairy production, calf rearing, genetics, research, and technology led farming systems. The tour provided students with an insight into how farms are responding to modern challenges through innovation, strong animal welfare standards, and data driven decision making.

Tateetra & Rathmore Farms, Castletown, Co. Louth

The first stop was Tateetra & Rathmore Farms, one of Ireland’s largest suckler beef enterprises. The apprentices observed how large scale suckler systems can be successfully managed through high quality genetics, robust animal health programmes, and structured herd management. The visit reinforced the importance of precision, consistency, and innovation in achieving strong sale performance and financial sustainability.

Cows.ie (David Clarke Livestock), Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

The group then visited Cows.ie, a well-established livestock sourcing, trading, and export business operating on a 400 hectare farm with over 1,000 dairy cows. The visit gave the apprentices a valuable insight into the livestock export sector. Students toured cattle sheds, viewed dairy heifers prepared for export, and learned about the importance of animal health, consistency, and strong supplier and buyer relationships.

Wicklow Calf Company, Arklow, Co. Wicklow

On day two, the apprentices visited Wicklow Calf Company, a family run business specialising in calf sourcing, care, and export. The facilities demonstrated best practice in calf management with the emphasis on animal welfare, hygiene, and low stress handling evident throughout the visit. The apprentices learned about the importance of good colostrum management, housing, and aftercare advice. This visit highlighted how investment in calf welfare leads to healthier animals and long-term performance.

Hallow Holsteins, Gorey, Co. Wexford

The apprentices then travelled to Hallow Holsteins, a pedigree dairy herd, milking approximately 100 cows. The herd is recognised for genetic excellence, milk quality, and regular success at major dairy shows. The visit showcased the impact of long-term genetic planning. Apprentices viewed successful show cows and learned about breeding decisions and cow family development, emphasising how genetics directly influence milk solids, performance, and herd longevity.

ABP Demonstration Farm, Clongarran, Co. Carlow

The ABP Demonstration Farm provided a strong focus on research and sustainability. Operated as a typical Irish family beef farm, it develops practical solutions to improve efficiency within beef systems. The apprentices learned about genetics, grassland management, calf to beef systems, and animal efficiency, whilst viewing cattle, grazing platforms, and performance monitoring technology.

Kepak Farm, Dunboyne, Co. Meath

On day three, the group visited Kepak Farm, a knowledge transfer and research unit finishing approximately 3,500 cattle annually. The visit highlighted data driven management, including monitoring weights, growth rates, feed efficiency, and carbon footprint. The apprentices were able to observe how high welfare standards are maintained in a high throughput system by animal health planning and collaboration with vets and nutritionists. 

Meade’s Dairy Farm, Lobinstown, Co. Meath

The final stop of the tour was Meade’s Dairy Farm, a modern, technology led dairy enterprise. The farm showcased a robotic milking system using Lely robots, milking a 140 cow Fleckvieh herd. Lely representatives provided demonstrations to the apprentices on robotic technology, live data monitoring, and herd management tools. The visit highlighted how automation can improve labour efficiency, cow welfare, and decision making.

Overall, the study tour provided the agriculture apprentices with valuable insights into progressive farming systems and the skills required for modern agriculture. The importance of animal welfare in achieving profitable and sustainable farming systems was emphasised and the increasing importance of integrating technology and farm data was evident throughout. 

CAFRE wishes to acknowledge the continued support of The Gibson Trust, whose financial contributions helped allowed many apprentices to participate in the study tour. Sharon McLaren, Interim Head of Agriculture Education at CAFRE, commented: “We are sincerely thankful to The Gibson Trust for their financial support to CAFRE’s Level 3 Agriculture Apprentices. This assistance ensured as many apprentices as possible experienced the study tour, allowing them to benefit from an experience that is an invaluable part of their education at CAFRE.”

Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeships in Agriculture with CAFRE are delivered one day per week at Enniskillen Campus, Greenmount Campus, Loughry Campus, and a range of off campus training centres. These programmes allow students to earn while they learn, gaining a recognised qualification in agriculture while developing essential knowledge and practical skills for the industry. 

CAFRE will be at Balmoral Show in the Eikon Centre (EK1). Visitors are encouraged to call by and speak with CAFRE staff to learn more about our range of courses available and explore the pathway that best suits their future career in agriculture.