UCD student David Fennelly and Maire Keohane, who is studying on a host farm, shared their experiences of the industry at the Irish Farmers Journal Dairy Day.

David did a dairy course in UCD and is back there now, having completed a placement in New Zealand.

He needed 450 points at the time, but points have dropped back slightly. “One science and three core subjects will get you there, but I liked dairy, as that’s my background,” he said.

Placement

He spent two years full-time in the course and spent six months on the placement. He then spent a second six months in Moorepark.

“The dairy business project is the most exciting part of the whole course,” he said.

A 20-week minimum for work experience is recommended to gain the best overall experience in the agricultural sector.

Not everyone has to go to New Zealand; one of David’s classmates went on placement to Holland, but staying in Ireland is also an option.

“I definitely recommend going to New Zealand, it’s a great opportunity. Fourth year is back in class, focusing on the elements that we gained from previous years. It’s good to get back on campus, then the social life will be back to where it should be”, he added.

Alternative route

Maire Keohane was a veterinary nurse who preferred working with horses initially.

“I would always spend my free time at home on our farm and I really liked being there,” she said.

Maire decided to take a distance course, but realised her love for it, so went back to full-time education to study dairy management.

Her level six qualification enabled her to apply for the level seven course in dairy management. She will be placed with a host farmer for the first year and the same again with a different farmer in the second year.

“We do a lot of lectures and farm trips; you really come out really well rounded,” she said. "It’s great to know how to manage not only a farm, but staff and accounts as well.”

Ag tech

A number of innovations were presented after the panel discussion, including new apps from Herdwatch, ifac and MartBids, an Irish Farmers Journal app that lists every animal at the mart before sale.

A water heating system was presented by Dairy Geyser and Anuland FeildSense has invented a new system to record fertilising systems and manage nutrients effectively.

Moocall presented its new bull collar that informs you of cow fertility. It relies on heat detection and can work just as well with AI.

Farm Smart Utility is a farmer-owned company that uses solar power to reduce electricity use and utility bills.

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