From the border town of Headford, 24-year-old Galway girl Niamh Garvey’s passion for dairy farming is lifelong. The Garvey farm is well and truly a family affair, with both of Niamh’s grandparents still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the enterprise, as well as her parents and five siblings.
The family farm stocks 120 Friesian cows for milking and supplies Aurivo co-operative, with half of the milk produced going to liquid consumer products. With a 20% autumn-calving system, Niamh and her family are kept busy all year round.
Niamh recently completed a masters in agricultural innovation with the support of Teagasc and UCD, during which she gained work experience in a farm advisory role and carried out a research project on promoting computer-aided grass management for dairy discussion groups. Thus, she has an in-depth knowledge of both the practicalities and expertise of the dairy world.
Growing up, Niamh’s grandmother was her main role model. “My granny was a massive inspiration to me,” she explains. “She worked as a nurse until she got married and then took on the full-time job of calf rearing and milking.”
Galway girl Niamh Garvey reports from Rushaven Farm, New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Niamh’s mother takes care of all the paperwork, administration and calf rearing and encouraged her daughter from an early age.
“Since I was five or six I was involved with work on the farm, every day before and after school. I have done relief milking for others too. I was never treated any different. Farming has always been such a big part of my life,” she says.
The challenges that face some women in agriculture are not felt by Niamh personally, and she feels the once-dismissive attitude towards women in farming is changing for the better.
“I have not experienced any negativity as a farming woman,” says Niamh. “People don’t treat me any different to my brother. Their reactions have always been positive. Sometimes they might be surprised to see me coming, but it’s a pleasant surprise.”
With only positive experiences to share from the field of agriculture, Niamh continues: “The term ‘farmer’s wife’ is not representative of women in agriculture. Women are needed on farms and play a very important role. Things are definitely improving and we are getting more recognition.”
Niamh walking the cows in for milking on the Garvey family farm.
The future is bright for this dedicated and determined young lady, who is currently working on Rushaven farm, near Whatakane in the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand. The 550 spring-calving dairy herd is made up of Kiwi-cross cows, fed according to New Zealand’s “system five”, where imported feed is fed all year, throughout lactation and for dry cows. At present, pasture is being supplemented with palm kernel, soya hull and maize silage.
“The conditions are similar to home this year, [with ] a wet spring,” reports Niamh. “Grazing conditions have been a bit difficult. So, I am enjoying another wet spring in one year.
“The biggest management difference is that we do not have the luxury of animal housing as a standoff option; cows have to be in the paddocks. However, the same principles of spring management apply: strip grazing, back fencing and having a plan in place to finish the first rotation at the correct time, so grass remains in the diet.”
Having had such a tremendous experience during her masters, however, Niamh’s long-term goal is to work as a dairy farm advisor. “I really enjoyed the interactions I had with farmers and would love it to be my future career,” she says.
Niamh’s active involvement in West Women in Farming and various farm discussion groups has given her the chance to meet like-minded people, but also to build her confidence massively. Thus, she strongly recommends such groups to anyone with a passion for farming.
“You don’t have to be from a farming background at all,” she says. “With farm diversification on the rise and labour shortage in the dairy sector, there are so many opportunities for newcomers to Irish ag. Come along to any of the women in farming events, do a short-term ag course or get some on-farm experience. Every little thing helps. It does take commitment and energy, but don’t let the physicalities put you off. There are ways around everything now.”
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From the border town of Headford, 24-year-old Galway girl Niamh Garvey’s passion for dairy farming is lifelong. The Garvey farm is well and truly a family affair, with both of Niamh’s grandparents still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the enterprise, as well as her parents and five siblings.
The family farm stocks 120 Friesian cows for milking and supplies Aurivo co-operative, with half of the milk produced going to liquid consumer products. With a 20% autumn-calving system, Niamh and her family are kept busy all year round.
Niamh recently completed a masters in agricultural innovation with the support of Teagasc and UCD, during which she gained work experience in a farm advisory role and carried out a research project on promoting computer-aided grass management for dairy discussion groups. Thus, she has an in-depth knowledge of both the practicalities and expertise of the dairy world.
Growing up, Niamh’s grandmother was her main role model. “My granny was a massive inspiration to me,” she explains. “She worked as a nurse until she got married and then took on the full-time job of calf rearing and milking.”
Galway girl Niamh Garvey reports from Rushaven Farm, New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Niamh’s mother takes care of all the paperwork, administration and calf rearing and encouraged her daughter from an early age.
“Since I was five or six I was involved with work on the farm, every day before and after school. I have done relief milking for others too. I was never treated any different. Farming has always been such a big part of my life,” she says.
The challenges that face some women in agriculture are not felt by Niamh personally, and she feels the once-dismissive attitude towards women in farming is changing for the better.
“I have not experienced any negativity as a farming woman,” says Niamh. “People don’t treat me any different to my brother. Their reactions have always been positive. Sometimes they might be surprised to see me coming, but it’s a pleasant surprise.”
With only positive experiences to share from the field of agriculture, Niamh continues: “The term ‘farmer’s wife’ is not representative of women in agriculture. Women are needed on farms and play a very important role. Things are definitely improving and we are getting more recognition.”
Niamh walking the cows in for milking on the Garvey family farm.
The future is bright for this dedicated and determined young lady, who is currently working on Rushaven farm, near Whatakane in the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand. The 550 spring-calving dairy herd is made up of Kiwi-cross cows, fed according to New Zealand’s “system five”, where imported feed is fed all year, throughout lactation and for dry cows. At present, pasture is being supplemented with palm kernel, soya hull and maize silage.
“The conditions are similar to home this year, [with ] a wet spring,” reports Niamh. “Grazing conditions have been a bit difficult. So, I am enjoying another wet spring in one year.
“The biggest management difference is that we do not have the luxury of animal housing as a standoff option; cows have to be in the paddocks. However, the same principles of spring management apply: strip grazing, back fencing and having a plan in place to finish the first rotation at the correct time, so grass remains in the diet.”
Having had such a tremendous experience during her masters, however, Niamh’s long-term goal is to work as a dairy farm advisor. “I really enjoyed the interactions I had with farmers and would love it to be my future career,” she says.
Niamh’s active involvement in West Women in Farming and various farm discussion groups has given her the chance to meet like-minded people, but also to build her confidence massively. Thus, she strongly recommends such groups to anyone with a passion for farming.
“You don’t have to be from a farming background at all,” she says. “With farm diversification on the rise and labour shortage in the dairy sector, there are so many opportunities for newcomers to Irish ag. Come along to any of the women in farming events, do a short-term ag course or get some on-farm experience. Every little thing helps. It does take commitment and energy, but don’t let the physicalities put you off. There are ways around everything now.”
Find West Women in Farming on Facebook for more support and advice.
Read more
From indoor design to outdoor dosing
Like mother, like daughter/a>
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