Maeve O’Keeffe
Managing director at Inspect4Hoof.
Maeve is the entrepreneur behind Inspect4 Rollover Crate, a device which makes it easier to hoof pare. From a dairy farm in Co Cork, the idea rose from Maeve’s desire to treat lame cows sooner.
“I approached my father with the idea of creating a handling facility so that I would be able to handle the lame cows and treat them straight away,” says Maeve.
There were issues using the upright crates and I thought there must be something that would take the physical work out of it, which would be safer for the person and the animal.
Inspect4 Rollover Crate turns the cow on its side, allowing the farmer to treat its feet.
“When the cow or bull is on their side they are less stressed, making it easier than the conventional method,” explains Maeve.
“The crate worked so well that farmers encouraged us to take it further. Initially, all I wanted to do was trim our own cows.”
Having launched the crate at the Tullamore Show in 2013, Inspect4Hoof has become a thriving business. It offers a Heifer Teat Sealing Service and is the lead distributor for German brand Allredo, but Maeve had her doubters.
“At the Ploughing Championships I explained the method behind the crate and this group of men, mostly farmers, were saying: ‘What does this young one know about farming?’” says Maeve.
“They didn’t take me seriously, but when they saw the video of me hoof pairing cows they were taken back.”
With the business continuing to boom, 2018 is packed with plans.
“If someone ordered a crush there is a three-month wait. Our objective is to get ahead with the manufacturing,” says Maeve.
“We want to push the products which are good quality and at reasonable prices. We will be creating a new website, putting all the products online, and we will set up the online hoof paring shop.”
Maeve O' Keeffe demonstrating her Inspect4 hoof crate. PIC: DOLMaeve O' Keeffe demonstrating her Inspect4 hoof crate. PIC: DOL
Dr Amanda Dunn
Sales and technical manager at Bonanza Calf Nutrition
Working as sales and technical manager at Bonanza Calf Nutrition, Amanda’s role is varied, ensuring that no two days are the same.
“I work on lamb milk in Northern Ireland and calf milk in the west of Ireland. I sell the product and visit farms, providing service to farmers that ask us for advice. I am also involved with Uniblock in the area of sales and technical,” says Amanda.
There is a lot of variety, one day you could be out on farms and another day you could be with merchants giving talks.
In a predominately male-dominated environment, Amanda assures that her gender does not influence the thoughts of farmers.
“The farmers don’t look at you as if you don’t know anything, women are fairly well accepted in the industry. I have never felt in any way intimidated,” says Amanda.
Amanda’s position consists of plenty of travel. She is based at home in Co Fermanagh and her upbringing led her down the agricultural route.
“I am from a farming background. I used to milk goats for a relative and from there I always thought that I would go into agriculture,” says Amanda.
She studied Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies, a degree course delivered by CAFRE Greenmount and Queen’s University Belfast, before progressing on to complete a PhD.
“A PhD had come up on colostrum management and calf immunity, so I did that in AFBI Hillsborough for three years,” says Amanda.
“When I was doing the PhD it was nearly all girls. The numbers are definitely increasing in terms of the amount of females in the agri sector. In my degree there was only five girls in a class of 25.”
Following her graduation, Amanda had a few weeks to unwind before stepping into the world of work.
“I finished my PhD in September 2016 and I started working with Bonanza in November,” she says.
Speakers at the heifer rearing meeting from left: Dr Christine Cummins, Bonanza Calf Nutrition; Jemma McHugh, Thompsons and Dr Amanda Dunn, Bonanza Calf Nutrition. Photograph: Columba O'HareSpeakers at the heifer rearing meeting from left: Dr Christine Cummins, Bonanza Calf Nutrition; Jemma McHugh, Thompsons and Dr Amanda Dunn, Bonanza Calf Nutrition.
Karen Elliffe
Beef farmer
Beef farmer Karen Elliffe grew up on a farm in Co Westmeath and she pays tribute to her granny for instilling her love of agricultural.
“As soon as I could walk I was out on the farm. My granny had me sitting on the cows’ back when she was milking,” says Karen.
“She was a powerful woman, she lived until she was 97 and was my big influence in farming.”
Despite gaining a bachelor’s degree in equine science, Karen’s heart was set on farming.
“I loved my degree, but I knew I would go back to farming,” says Karen.
“I applied for my herd number when I graduated. I have 26 cattle, but I don’t have the numbers to keep myself busy so I help dad at home. He would have dry stock and a few suckler cows.”
Karen is an only child, proving that daughters are capable of running a farm. “There was that perception that the daughter would go off and have a different profession, but I have broken that stereotype. Women are more than capable, if not sometimes more capable than men, at running a farm,” says Karen.
A member of Ballinagore Macra Na Feirme club, Karen was a former Queen of the Land winner and she continues to challenge the initial perceptions of others.
Usually when I meet someone new their jaw hits the ground when I say that I am a farmer. Generally though it is very positive. Farmers would be impressed with my determination to give it a go.
Farming is often labelled as a lonely job, but Karen ensures that she does not shut herself off from the rest of the world.
“Farming is seen as an isolated job, but it is up to each individual farmer. You meet a lot of people on your travels. Farming is a healthy and wholesome profession,” explains Karen. “I put time and energy into looking after my animals, ensuring that they get the best possible life. I want to keep it sustainable going forward and ethically produce with the best practice.” CL
Karen Elliffe photographed on her home farm at Ballinagore, Westmeath for Macra (magazine). These bullocks remain out all year round. Photo: Ramona FarrellyKaren Elliffe photographed on her home farm at Ballinagore, Westmeath for Macra (magazine). These bullocks remain out all year round. Photo: Ramona Farrelly
Read more
The Irish Farmers Journal's 30 under 30
Meet the female farmers leading the way for women in agriculture
Maeve O’Keeffe
Managing director at Inspect4Hoof.
Maeve is the entrepreneur behind Inspect4 Rollover Crate, a device which makes it easier to hoof pare. From a dairy farm in Co Cork, the idea rose from Maeve’s desire to treat lame cows sooner.
“I approached my father with the idea of creating a handling facility so that I would be able to handle the lame cows and treat them straight away,” says Maeve.
There were issues using the upright crates and I thought there must be something that would take the physical work out of it, which would be safer for the person and the animal.
Inspect4 Rollover Crate turns the cow on its side, allowing the farmer to treat its feet.
“When the cow or bull is on their side they are less stressed, making it easier than the conventional method,” explains Maeve.
“The crate worked so well that farmers encouraged us to take it further. Initially, all I wanted to do was trim our own cows.”
Having launched the crate at the Tullamore Show in 2013, Inspect4Hoof has become a thriving business. It offers a Heifer Teat Sealing Service and is the lead distributor for German brand Allredo, but Maeve had her doubters.
“At the Ploughing Championships I explained the method behind the crate and this group of men, mostly farmers, were saying: ‘What does this young one know about farming?’” says Maeve.
“They didn’t take me seriously, but when they saw the video of me hoof pairing cows they were taken back.”
With the business continuing to boom, 2018 is packed with plans.
“If someone ordered a crush there is a three-month wait. Our objective is to get ahead with the manufacturing,” says Maeve.
“We want to push the products which are good quality and at reasonable prices. We will be creating a new website, putting all the products online, and we will set up the online hoof paring shop.”
Maeve O' Keeffe demonstrating her Inspect4 hoof crate. PIC: DOLMaeve O' Keeffe demonstrating her Inspect4 hoof crate. PIC: DOL
Dr Amanda Dunn
Sales and technical manager at Bonanza Calf Nutrition
Working as sales and technical manager at Bonanza Calf Nutrition, Amanda’s role is varied, ensuring that no two days are the same.
“I work on lamb milk in Northern Ireland and calf milk in the west of Ireland. I sell the product and visit farms, providing service to farmers that ask us for advice. I am also involved with Uniblock in the area of sales and technical,” says Amanda.
There is a lot of variety, one day you could be out on farms and another day you could be with merchants giving talks.
In a predominately male-dominated environment, Amanda assures that her gender does not influence the thoughts of farmers.
“The farmers don’t look at you as if you don’t know anything, women are fairly well accepted in the industry. I have never felt in any way intimidated,” says Amanda.
Amanda’s position consists of plenty of travel. She is based at home in Co Fermanagh and her upbringing led her down the agricultural route.
“I am from a farming background. I used to milk goats for a relative and from there I always thought that I would go into agriculture,” says Amanda.
She studied Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies, a degree course delivered by CAFRE Greenmount and Queen’s University Belfast, before progressing on to complete a PhD.
“A PhD had come up on colostrum management and calf immunity, so I did that in AFBI Hillsborough for three years,” says Amanda.
“When I was doing the PhD it was nearly all girls. The numbers are definitely increasing in terms of the amount of females in the agri sector. In my degree there was only five girls in a class of 25.”
Following her graduation, Amanda had a few weeks to unwind before stepping into the world of work.
“I finished my PhD in September 2016 and I started working with Bonanza in November,” she says.
Speakers at the heifer rearing meeting from left: Dr Christine Cummins, Bonanza Calf Nutrition; Jemma McHugh, Thompsons and Dr Amanda Dunn, Bonanza Calf Nutrition. Photograph: Columba O'HareSpeakers at the heifer rearing meeting from left: Dr Christine Cummins, Bonanza Calf Nutrition; Jemma McHugh, Thompsons and Dr Amanda Dunn, Bonanza Calf Nutrition.
Karen Elliffe
Beef farmer
Beef farmer Karen Elliffe grew up on a farm in Co Westmeath and she pays tribute to her granny for instilling her love of agricultural.
“As soon as I could walk I was out on the farm. My granny had me sitting on the cows’ back when she was milking,” says Karen.
“She was a powerful woman, she lived until she was 97 and was my big influence in farming.”
Despite gaining a bachelor’s degree in equine science, Karen’s heart was set on farming.
“I loved my degree, but I knew I would go back to farming,” says Karen.
“I applied for my herd number when I graduated. I have 26 cattle, but I don’t have the numbers to keep myself busy so I help dad at home. He would have dry stock and a few suckler cows.”
Karen is an only child, proving that daughters are capable of running a farm. “There was that perception that the daughter would go off and have a different profession, but I have broken that stereotype. Women are more than capable, if not sometimes more capable than men, at running a farm,” says Karen.
A member of Ballinagore Macra Na Feirme club, Karen was a former Queen of the Land winner and she continues to challenge the initial perceptions of others.
Usually when I meet someone new their jaw hits the ground when I say that I am a farmer. Generally though it is very positive. Farmers would be impressed with my determination to give it a go.
Farming is often labelled as a lonely job, but Karen ensures that she does not shut herself off from the rest of the world.
“Farming is seen as an isolated job, but it is up to each individual farmer. You meet a lot of people on your travels. Farming is a healthy and wholesome profession,” explains Karen. “I put time and energy into looking after my animals, ensuring that they get the best possible life. I want to keep it sustainable going forward and ethically produce with the best practice.” CL
Karen Elliffe photographed on her home farm at Ballinagore, Westmeath for Macra (magazine). These bullocks remain out all year round. Photo: Ramona FarrellyKaren Elliffe photographed on her home farm at Ballinagore, Westmeath for Macra (magazine). These bullocks remain out all year round. Photo: Ramona Farrelly
Read more
The Irish Farmers Journal's 30 under 30
Meet the female farmers leading the way for women in agriculture
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