Women farmers got hands-on with livestock handling, farm safety and new technology at a training event held in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, at the weekend.
The event, organised by ACRES Breifne, was developed in response to feedback from a nationwide survey of almost 300 women farmers.
The survey highlighted demand for practical training, greater confidence, farm safety learning, technology demonstrations and opportunities to connect with other women in agriculture.
The event at Manorhamilton Livestock Mart was capped at 30 participants to allow women to take part in small, practical sessions.
The group was split in half, with participants taking part in livestock safety demonstrations and hearing discussions from NoFence and FutureCast and advice available from AIB, Teagasc and Cormac Tagging.
ACRES Breifne event organiser Rachel Irwin said the organisation wanted to establish what supports farmers themselves felt were needed.
She said livestock handling and farm safety demonstrations were among the areas identified, along with machinery training.
Irwin said networking was also an important part of the day, with participants being offered the opportunity to join a WhatsApp group and remain connected after the event.
EIP scheme
Claire Brennan, from the Making Farms Work for Women EIP, said practical training tailored towards women can help address some of the challenges they encounter on farms.
She pointed to tools such as a grape and calving jack, which are commonly designed for “a six-foot person”.
“Even around sheds, the weight of facilities like gates can be a challenge. Many facilities obviously have to be heavy for safety, but we are working with ATU Sligo and agricultural engineering students to bypass these issues.
“There’s a lot of tools designed for safety, but they’re not designed with women in mind,” Brennan added.
Making Farms Work for Women EIP, based in north Mayo, ran discussions groups which highlighted the needs and challenges for women in the sector.
Brennan is hoping to take the programme to a national level, with workshops planned in Leinster and Munster.
She said the social aspect of the workshops was also of great importance.
“I’d like the women attending these workshops to form a connection, because it can be quite lonely, especially in rural areas,” she said, adding that many women may not have the opportunity to meet other farmers.
Further workshops taking place in Mayo will focus on welding, plumbing, DIY on farms and tractor driving.
'Go have a cup of tea'
Livestock safety trainer Jim Dockery said preparation, good handling facilities and remaining calm are key when working with livestock.
Dockery, who established Towra Livestock Services in June, delivered practical livestock safety training at the event.
He advised those working with livestock to give animals time to settle before jobs such as dosing or herd testing.
“Bring animals in an hour or two earlier and let them settle in,” he said.
“Go have a cup of tea, calm yourself and the animals down and then you’re ready.”
Dockery said farmers should have gates and gaps ready ahead of moving livestock.
Tiredness and stress
Sophie Bell, a livestock safety demonstrator at the event, highlighted the risks of working with livestock when tired or stressed.
“Tiredness and stress are huge factors in farm safety and they can be the main cause of a lot of accidents.
“It’s hard as a farmer, but looking after yourself is a huge factor and once you look after yourself, you can then help your farm,” she said.
Bell said that being calm when handling animals was the main point being driven home at the event.
A machinery safety event is due to take place in Manorhamilton on 17 October, with other ACRES events scheduled across Leinster, Munster and Mayo.
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