Get to know Maud
“I come from a farming background, with my mother farming a suckler farm in Kill and my father farming a dairy farm in Rathgormuck. I work for Progressive Genetics doing part-time milk recording. My hobbies would include riding out a few of the racehorses my father trains and breeding a herd of Dexters on my mother’s farm.
“I completed two years in Kildalton to get a Green Cert before transferring to SETU. I loved my time in Kildalton so much, it was a great experience. I am finished my 3rd year and I hope to go on and complete my Level 8 next year.”
Interest in agriculture
“I got my interest in agriculture from helping out on the farms at home. Since I can remember, myself and my brother have always done our best to help out on both farms. I have an interest in the performance of the cows hence why I love my milk recording job so much.”
The role of young people
in agriculture
“I think for me the role of young people in agriculture is to improve the way in which farms are farmed. The younger generation are more interested in newer technology and the older farmers might not have an interest in milk recording, EBI, etc.”
Challenges to the sector
“Some of the main challenges for agriculture I think is how it’s always being blamed in the wrong for something, be it climate change or cruelty to animals, where neither of these statements are true. Farmers treat their cattle and animals better than they treat themselves in some cases.
“During the pandemic when there was no travelling and no foreign holidays it showed the emissions were down over 5% but the farming was continuing as normal. I think more people should be made aware of this.”
Changing perceptions of red meat
“I think some of the negativity that is around red meat is from people not knowing enough about it. People think cattle are treated badly but this is very untrue. I also think red meat does not get the advertisement or marketing it deserves. I think there has to be more communication between the red meat sector and the public. Some people may be scared because of BSC.
“These people must be shown the precautions farmers take to ensure these animals are fit and healthy enough to enter the food chain.”
Maud O’Callaghan
Debating
“Rachel O’Dowd, who is the head of the debating team at SETU, convinced us to give it a go. I was sceptical at first but she was so encouraging and made it so enjoyable along with the rest of the lecturers.
“From the great agri-food debate, I learned that sometimes you are better off getting out of your comfort zone and seeing what might happen. I would have never thought I would have liked debating as I am quite a shy person but I can say now I genuinely loved it.”
Opportunities in the sector
“I think there are plenty opportunities within the sector. There are jobs from being on the farm to working in the factories or butcheries. There’s a wide range of jobs for a wide range of people.”
Future plans
“In the future when I hopefully have my degree completed and have travelled for a year or two, I would love to get a job within Teagasc or Progressive Genetics and try climb the ladder of one of these brilliant companies.”
This is the eighth annual Great Agri-Food Debate organised by Dawn Meats in association with McDonald's. For more information, visit https://www.dawnmeats.com/.
Get to know Maud
“I come from a farming background, with my mother farming a suckler farm in Kill and my father farming a dairy farm in Rathgormuck. I work for Progressive Genetics doing part-time milk recording. My hobbies would include riding out a few of the racehorses my father trains and breeding a herd of Dexters on my mother’s farm.
“I completed two years in Kildalton to get a Green Cert before transferring to SETU. I loved my time in Kildalton so much, it was a great experience. I am finished my 3rd year and I hope to go on and complete my Level 8 next year.”
Interest in agriculture
“I got my interest in agriculture from helping out on the farms at home. Since I can remember, myself and my brother have always done our best to help out on both farms. I have an interest in the performance of the cows hence why I love my milk recording job so much.”
The role of young people
in agriculture
“I think for me the role of young people in agriculture is to improve the way in which farms are farmed. The younger generation are more interested in newer technology and the older farmers might not have an interest in milk recording, EBI, etc.”
Challenges to the sector
“Some of the main challenges for agriculture I think is how it’s always being blamed in the wrong for something, be it climate change or cruelty to animals, where neither of these statements are true. Farmers treat their cattle and animals better than they treat themselves in some cases.
“During the pandemic when there was no travelling and no foreign holidays it showed the emissions were down over 5% but the farming was continuing as normal. I think more people should be made aware of this.”
Changing perceptions of red meat
“I think some of the negativity that is around red meat is from people not knowing enough about it. People think cattle are treated badly but this is very untrue. I also think red meat does not get the advertisement or marketing it deserves. I think there has to be more communication between the red meat sector and the public. Some people may be scared because of BSC.
“These people must be shown the precautions farmers take to ensure these animals are fit and healthy enough to enter the food chain.”
Maud O’Callaghan
Debating
“Rachel O’Dowd, who is the head of the debating team at SETU, convinced us to give it a go. I was sceptical at first but she was so encouraging and made it so enjoyable along with the rest of the lecturers.
“From the great agri-food debate, I learned that sometimes you are better off getting out of your comfort zone and seeing what might happen. I would have never thought I would have liked debating as I am quite a shy person but I can say now I genuinely loved it.”
Opportunities in the sector
“I think there are plenty opportunities within the sector. There are jobs from being on the farm to working in the factories or butcheries. There’s a wide range of jobs for a wide range of people.”
Future plans
“In the future when I hopefully have my degree completed and have travelled for a year or two, I would love to get a job within Teagasc or Progressive Genetics and try climb the ladder of one of these brilliant companies.”
This is the eighth annual Great Agri-Food Debate organised by Dawn Meats in association with McDonald's. For more information, visit https://www.dawnmeats.com/.
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