The value of peer learning and discussion groups were highlighted by young dairy farmers Aileen Sheehan and Kerry Desmond at the Macra national conference at the weekend.

Both had entered dairy farming in recent years and told delegates of their experiences.

The current young farmer of the year, Sheehan said from her experience she found it was more beneficial to target what you want to learn rather than expect to be an expert in everything straight away.

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“I took over the heifer block at the start and learned how to grass budget from there. It’s good to find someone who has the same system as you and measure how you do against them.”

Adding to that, Desmond, who is the current share milker at Shinagh’s Gurteen farm, encouraged young farmers to try new things and not be afraid to get things wrong.

“There’s nothing like doing these things yourself and making a heap of mistakes, then the next year you don’t make those mistakes,” he said.

Both said the support they received from the co-ops they supplied was very beneficial; however, when it came to dealings with the Department of Agriculture, it wasn’t always positive.

Off-farm, Aileen Sheehan works as a teacher and she feels student teachers get more support in their sector compared to young farmers getting started and she recommended a liaison from the Department of Agriculture for young farmers.

Raw start

“I had a raw start with the Department.

“If I was brutally honest, if I didn’t have the people I do around me, I would have walked out the gate. I had my young farmer inspection over the phone during COVID-19.

“I hadn’t a clue and I was roasted.

“I’ve had three young farmer inspections in four years and my two brothers and my brother-in-law are all dairy farming too and they’ve had none,” she told the conference.