New Zealand experience shaped vision for the farm

EDUCATION is key to being a successful farmer.

Up to the age of 16 David didn’t show much interest in farming, and it was only h during his transition year at Thurles CBS that he started to help out.

The farming bug bit fast and in 2013 he headed for Kildalton Agricultural College to complete his Level 5 & 6 certificates in agriculture.

New Zealand beckoned in June 2015 — he worked under contract milker James Emmett on an 800-cow farm.

He wasn’t the only 2019 Farmer of the Year finalist on that six-month trip: Rising Star nominee Mairead Barron was also part of the 30-student contingent that headed Down Under.

The pair have remained good friends — Mairead is now running her own dairy herd as a new entrant to the business.

David spent most nights on fellow students’ farms sharing info and many a party, but the seed for expansion was also planted here.

Prior to his trip to New Zealand, David didn’t believe farming at home would be sustainable financially.

One hundred cows wasn’t going to deliver and with retirement a long way off for his father Loughlin (55), his parents saw the potential of David’s plan for the farm.

Returning home in December 2015 he did relief milking while also helping at home and joining two discussion groups.

He is secretary of the Thurles Dairy group and held the position of chairman in the Moyne Group last year. Teagasc advisors Lorcan Dooley and Matt Ryan, have played a key part in the success of the farm and have clearly been great mentors to David. “Matt says it as it is — good or bad — and really focuses on the business,” says David. Future travel is now on the agenda as David is keen to soak up more knowledge and further develop his farming future.