From Cows to Honey: How One Farmer Uses Tech to Balance a Legacy

In today’s ever-changing dairy farming sector, farmers are navigating a growing list of challenges rising input costs, shrinking profit margins, and a shortage of labour. These pressures not only strain the day-to-day operations but also take a toll on what matters most: time with loved ones. 

For generations, farming has been embedded in family life, yet many modern farmers find themselves tied to the shed around the clock, with little room to breathe, let alone diversify, while spending less time with family and friends. 

As traditional labour becomes harder to source, more farmers are turning to smart farming technologies to bridge the gap. Innovations in automation, remote monitoring, and data-driven decision-making are not only helping reduce time spent on repetitive tasks but also creating space to explore new on-farm ventures. Whether it’s setting up a farm shop, branching into agri-tourism, or developing value-added products, smart farming is paving the way for a more balanced, flexible, and sustainable future in agriculture. 

From Dairy Farmer to Beekeeper 

Datamars recently visited Kevin Collins, a dairy farmer based on his family farm in Timoleague, West Cork. Kevin has worked and trained in agriculture for over 40 years, and today he milks between 230 and 240 dairy cows. A family man with four children, Kevin is a ninth-generation farmer, with farming firmly in his genes. 

Since taking over the family business in 2022, Kevin has continued to manage the dairy herd while also running a honey business called Molaga Honey. Beekeeping has been in the Collins family for four generations, dating back to 1860. The enterprise was originally started by Kevin’s great-grandmother and passed down through the generations. His father later diversified by beginning to sell honey, all while helping to manage the bees and the daily operations of the farm. However, as the demands of dairy farming grew, his father had to step back from beekeeping to focus more fully on running the farm. 

Speaking from his farm in Timoleague, Kevin explained:

 

“My father was very interested in bees and beekeeping and so he took it a step further and started to sell honey off the west coast of Ireland in the late 60’s, but when he went in to full time farming this kind of took a step back a little bit and only when he retired did he take it up full time again when I took over the day to day farm” 

Now, not only is Kevin running the farm, but he has also taken over the honey business that his father had diversified into. However, managing both enterprises hasn’t come without its challenges. Balancing the demands of a large dairy herd with the careful attention required for successful beekeeping has meant Kevin has had to become even more efficient with his time, finding new ways to keep both sides of the business thriving. 

How can Datamars Smart Farming Technology help? 

That’s where the Tru-Test Active Tag collars and Dairy Drafter system have made a real difference in helping Kevin manage both the dairy and honey sides of the business. The collars provide real-time insights into each cow’s activity, health, heat detection, and reproductive status, enabling Kevin to make timely, informed decisions. Integrated with the Dairy Drafter, the system automatically drafts pre-selected cows as they exit the milking parlour, significantly reducing manual labour and saving valuable time. 

With the Tru-Test collars and app freeing up more of his time, Kevin shared the impact this has had on balancing the two businesses:  

“Because we are not watching the cows consistently or not all the time this gives me a extra couple of hours in the honey business so I can concentrate on that.” 

What made you choose the Tru-Test system over others on the market, and was it easy to get to grips with?  

“With the great support behind it, having 24/7 back up and especially from Charlotte in customer service gave me the real confidence. 

The training we received help to properly understand the system and how to read the data properly non the phone and help to get the timing right. I know exactly when to AI the cows, making our breeding more consistent.” 

What impact has the system had on managing the herd and overall farm performance?  

“The system picks up the cows that we might otherwise have missed, helps us to tighten up on our calving period and also shows the intensity of the heat and gives you the optimum timings for the sexed semen.” 

And on a personal level, how has this changed your day-to-day life? 

“It gives me great deal of flexibility to step away from the shed and take the kids to matches and training and get to spend more time with them - which means a lot. 

Conclusion  

Kevin’s story is a clear example of how smart farming solutions are making a measurable difference, not just in herd performance, but in the overall quality of life for farmers and their families.  

Datamars Livestock is transforming dairy farming with its integrated Smart Farming ecosystem. The range includes advanced tools such as Tru-Test Active Tags & Collars, the Dairy Drafter, the Walk-Over-Weigh (WOW) system, and the Fence Monitoring System working seamlessly together to provide real-time insights, automation, and greater control over operations. 

As agriculture continues to evolve, smart, connected solutions like these are not just shaping more efficient farms they’re supporting more sustainable and flexible farming futures.