Aisling O’Neill studied Animal Science in UCD and graduated in 2011. She started as an assistant farm manager on a 520-cow dairy herd in Tullynally Estate, Co Westmeath. She then moved on to Dovea Genetics and worked as a sales representative and breed adviser in Monaghan. She is currently working with the Certified Irish Angus Producer Group Ltd, certifying cattle in Kepak factories.

Aisling has a huge interest in breeding and genetics and is also very involved in the home farm. The family farm has 65 milking cows at the moment, all pedigree Holstein Friesian. They are currently averaging 6,100 litres at 3.73% butterfat and 3.49% protein.

The grazing platform consists of over 100 acres and in 2008 the family put up a new 14-unit herringbone milking parlour with ACRs. Aisling loves the new parlour. She says: “There is great comfort in milking, especially at this time of the year when the cows are hitting their peak lactation.”

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Aisling and her father are also very involved in the IHFA and the West Midlands Holstein Friesian Breeders Club.

Aisling is very busy at the moment. At home they are getting ready to cut silage.

The off-season premium is in full swing in Kepak so Aisling has her hands full certifying cattle too. Over the past month, Aisling and her father were recording the cows’ cycles.

They started AI on 6 May so they have to apply tail paint regularly. Aisling completed an AI course last year and, upon finishing, she started to AI some of the cows and young heifers to Angus and Friesian bulls.

They will use AI for six weeks, picking bulls based on production, functional type, low management and reliability.

Some of the bulls they have lined up for this year include Top Speed Kodiak, Morningview Legend, Sherdon Irresistable and Cogent Twist. They plan to purchase an Angus bull shortly to mop up everything after the AI season.

Aisling says: “It is important that young people strive to challenge themselves, make improvements and do the best they can.

“At the end of the day, farming is a business and benchmarks and targets are set and the challenge is to meet these targets and goals. Farming is a lovely way of life and you have to look to the future with positivity.”