Sister act

By Kay Kevlihan

One of Deirdre Toal and Patricia McCormack's earliest memories is of hauling their grandmother's little milking stool across the yard to help their dad milk the cows. Farming was as natural to them as breathing, and their love of everything to do with that life was fostered and encouraged by their parents, Kevin and Eileen Gunne.

Kevin and Eileen and their son Michael continue to farm with their herd of 120 Pedigree Holstein Friesian cows on their Strokestown based farm. Deirdre and Patricia's careers involve advising and talking to farmers.

"We were completely and utterly immersed in farming all our lives, and our parents always had and still have a very positive attitude towards farming," said Patricia. "My sister Deirdre, my brother Michael and I were all involved in the day-to-day work on the farm.

"As we grew up, we were encouraged to join farming organisations and societies, so I always knew that a career that did not involve animals and the outdoor life was not for me. Farming has always been and still is the backbone of the country, and I certainly have no regrets about staying in the industry."

Deirdre said both she and Patricia were milking cows from an early age and, as their brother Michael was the youngest, they were both farming as far back as she could remember. "I developed a huge interest in bull selection and mating programmes as I grew up, and both of us were members of the Friesian Breeders Club. We were the only women at those meetings, so we got used to being women in what was definitely a man's world."

Being the older of the two sisters, Deirdre finished school first and headed to UCD to study Agricultural Science, and two years later she was joined by Patricia. While there were many areas of study within the agricultural science area, both girls chose Animal Science, and they have no regrets about that decision. They also agree that their years at university were pretty special.

"One of the best things about studying Agricultural Science is the atmosphere in the faculty and the lifelong friends you make. We have both maintained those friendships and would regularly see people we studied with in our work, which is great," said Deirdre.

Paths

Deirdre graduated with a BAgrSc in Animal Science in 2002. She initially worked as a REPS planner and later as a dairy adviser for Teagasc in Co Wicklow before her current career as a Breeding Adviser with Progressive Genetics. Her husband Thomas is a pedigree breeder in Smithboro, Co Monaghan, a perfect base from which Deirdre covers five counties - Cavan, Monaghan, Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon - with a client list of over 500 dairy farmers and 150 beef suckler farmers.

Her work involves calling to farmers who want to do DIY AI. She advises them on what bulls to use, supplies the equipment they need and instructs them on the procedure. Another aspect of her work is organising AI training courses, and she provides a back-up advisery service for AI technicians countrywide.

Spring show on Saturday

Deirdre was in the middle of a very busy week when I spoke to her. She is PRO for National Spring Fair, which is being held this weekend, Saturday, 26 April, in the Coilog Equestrian Centre, Kilmeague, Naas, Co Kildare.

"This is the only spring show in Ireland, and it will be attended by livestock exhibitors from 19 counties. We expect a lot of farmers will make it a weekend break, because there is so much to see and do in the area with the Irish National Stud, Punchestown races, Mondello Park and lots of great golf courses."

As if she isn't busy enough, Deirdre also represents The Breffni Oriel Club in Cavan/Monaghan and she is on the Board of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association.

Career Highs

What are the highs of her job as Breeding Adviser? "When I call to a farmer and he is milking the daughter of a particular bull that I recommended and he is delighted with the choice of bull, that certainly gives me a bit of a high and it has given me confidence in my choices over the years." Of course, there are day-to-day teething problems, but nothing too major, said Deirdre.

"I am really happy at what I am doing. One of the great pluses from my point of view is my work location, as I live in the area that I cover and there is a certain amount of flexibility." That flexibility works both ways, as at least two evenings that week were taken up with meetings in Longford and Cootehill, Co Cavan.

So, what is it like to be a woman working in what is predominantly a man's world? "It was a bit tough at the start, and some of the older farmers were a bit cautious initially, but time and success at what you are doing sorts that out, and now there are no gender issues at all. I certainly have no regrets and wouldn't wish to be working at anything else at the moment."

REPS planner

Patricia briefly considered a career in veterinary nursing but, like Deirdre, she has no regrets about choosing Agricultural Science. She now works as a REPS planner with Padraic Durkan in Elphin, Co Roscommon and she covers Sligo, Roscommon and Mayo.

She works five days a week, from 2pm to 7pm - ideal from a family point of view, as she and her husband Tom have a two-year-old daughter, Rachel.

"I returned to the family farm when I graduated from UCD, because my brother Michael took a year out to study agriculture at Ballyhaise Agricultural College.

"I thoroughly enjoyed that year, because I love the practical side of farming, and when Michael returned to the farm I got a job in the Lakelands Dairies store in Longford.

"I met my husband Tom in 2002 and we married in 2004. I managed the Lakelands Dairy store from 2005 to 2006, the year our daughter Rachel was born."

Although her job as store manager could at times be stressful, one aspect that was clearly enjoyable was when college friends working within the industry would call to see her. However, when the job as REPS planner was offered to her, she took it and she has no regrets.

"The work I am doing now is very varied, and no two days are the same. I am constantly meeting farmers, and you really get to build relationships with them. You get a whole picture of the farm and help them in a variety of ways, and then I spend time in the office doing the paperwork, so it's really interesting and varied. I definitely prefer the work I am doing now and I'm very happy with it.

"My career in agriculture has been greatly influenced by my upbringing. Dad is 61 years old now and is still as enthusiastic about farming as ever and it has definitely rubbed off on Deirdre and myself.

"It's a good career to have and a good industry to be involved in. Yes, I do meet the odd farmer who is pessimistic, but then I might meet a young, enthusiastic farmer who has just received a herd number and their positive attitude is really brilliant." JRecruitment briefs

• Summer work request

Two hard-working 20-year-old Austrian students from a farming background, who have experience in the agricultural sector, would like to work on an Irish farm from mid July to the end of August. Both girls attended a secondary college of agriculture and food management in Austria and have previously worked for 14 weeks on a dairy farm in Ireland. Tel: Elisabeth Sackl at 0043-664-137-6367 or email: elisabeth_sackl@hotmail.com.

• Latitude website

In our issue of 29 March the website for Latitude Global Volunteering was unfortunately listed incorrectly. Any visitors to www.lattitude.co.uk will find a café in Hull rather than the site they are looking for! The correct address is http://www.lattitude.org.uk/.

• Poultry scholarships

Applications are now being sought from graduates from the island of Ireland by the Poultry Industry Education Trust for the 2008 PIET Postgraduate Poultry Scholarships. Applicants should be intent on pursuing post graduate studies in the 2008/'09 academic year, either by taught course or research in an area related to poultry production or to the poultry industry. The value of the scholarship is €1,000.

• Letters or emails should be accompanied by a CV and a brief statement indicating the proposed area of study and the institution. They should be sent to Basil Bayne, PIET Secretary, 68 Alder Park, Antrim BT41 1JU or emailed to secretary@poultrytrust.com. Closing date is May 31.
• Childcare finances boost

A typical family with two children under the age of six will now receive direct payments of €6,148 this year from the Early Child Supplement (ECS) and Child Benefit. Minister for Children Brendan Smith has confirmed payment of the first quarterly instalment of the ECS this month, which was increased to €1,100 in Budget 2008. The ECS is intended to assist with childcare needs and will automatically be paid in July, October and December in the same way as child benefit. The payment of €275 per eligible child represents a 10% increase, is non-taxable and made to all parents for each child under six years of age already in receipt of child benefit.