Irish Dairy Farmer Gearoid Booth
Farming is more than just a business- it's a family tradition, a lifestyle and a vital connection to the land. This rings true for Gearoid Booth, a fifth-generation farmer based in The Heath, Co. Laois. Gearoid farms alongside his father, cousin and aunt, running a dairy enterprise that has embraced new methods for sustainability and productivity.
In 2018, Gearoid’s farm transitioned from beef and tillage farming to a grass-based dairy system. This change followed the abolition of milk quotas in 2015, creating an opportunity for Gearoid to pursue his passion for farming full-time. The Booth’s currently milk approximately 400 cows, yielding an average of 480kg of milk solids per cow.
Dairy Farm Building Infrastructure
When transitioning to dairy farming, Gearoid and his family took steps to ensure they had the right infrastructure in place. While they already had slatted and loose-bedded sheds from their beef days, they knew they would need dedicated cubicle housing. In 2017, they installed 180 roofless cubicles and another 180 in 2019. However, they soon realized that a roof covering was essential to create a more controlled and comfortable environment for the animals in less satisfactory weather.
In 2020, the Booth family contacted Euronit Distributor, TJ Garahy Ltd, to discuss roofing options. After reviewing several materials, Gearoid concluded that, “eventually it became apparent that Euronit AgriBild corrugated metal sheeting was the best product on the market for the job".
The family chose the Euronit AgriBild corrugated metal sheeting primarily for its quality and durability. Gearoid expanded further by saying, “We chose Euronit AgriBild in Kilkea Grey because it would match the existing farm buildings here on the farm. It's also a CE-marked product and it comes with over a 20-year warranty. It's very important to choose the correct sheeting material in order to create a good environment for the cows, number one, by doing that then we're getting more performance out of the animals we say as time goes by.”
The farm’s new roofing system features two spacious cubicle sheds each measuring 60m long x 20m width, both with approximately 4m from the ground to the eaves. Each shed is designed to optimize feeding efficiency with the Booths feeding on the outside of both sheds and in the shared centre passageway. Deep overhangs have been included to keep the feed clean and dry. These thoughtful design features contribute to the overall efficiency of the farm while promoting animal health and welfare.
Key Partnerships in Farming
For the Booth family, working with Euronit and TJ Garahy Ltd has been a positive experience built on years of trust and high-quality service. As Gearoid put it, “We’ve dealt with Euronit for a good many years and have always received a good-quality product and service from the company.”
Their positive relationship with Euronit was a key factor in choosing their supplier for this project, and Gearoid is confident that he will continue to rely on their expertise for future projects.
Sustainable Farming Future
With five generations of experience and knowledge under their belts, Gearoid and his family have always shown adaptability and keen foresight in an ever-evolving industry. They have displayed a strong focus on cow welfare, sustainable practices and the importance of choosing quality products. With Euronit corrugated metal sheeting on their roofs they look set to enjoy continued success into the future.