David Harney

  • Age: 24.
  • County/region: Galway.
  • Macra club: Caltra.
  • Enterprise: Sheep.
  • Background: ‘‘The farm is located in Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. I currently farm alongside my father and my brother on our farm. We run a mixed farm with purebred sheep, commercial sheep and sucklers. I sell the majority of my lambs by 1 October and I keep around 40 ewe lambs for replacement each year.’’
  • Martin Cole

  • Age: 29.
  • County/region: Carlow.
  • Macra club: Tullow.
  • Enterprise: Sheep.
  • Background: ‘‘I was involved in the family farm from a very young age. I have progressively increased my flock numbers and plan to lamb 328 ewes in spring 2018. The most positive aspect of farming for me is the ability to work outdoors.’’
  • John Flood

  • Age: 26.
  • County/region: Kilkenny.
  • Macra club: Cushinstown.
  • Enterprise: Dairy.
  • Background: ‘‘I was always interested in breeding cows and was encouraged to be out on the farm helping from a young age. I completed my level 6 certificate in agriculture at Kildalton College in 2012. Since taking over the running of the farm, I’ve steadily increased my cow numbers. The whole farm has been reseeded since 2010 with a strong focus on improving soil fertility and grass utilisation. This will improve efficiency and profitability.’’
  • Jonathan Dwyer

  • Age: 24.
  • County/region: Laois.
  • Macra club: Devil’s Bit/Templemore.
  • Enterprise: Dairy.
  • Background: ‘‘I have always been involved with the family farm from a very young age. I studied a degree in commerce and then went on to obtain a masters in international management. I am currently completing my Green Cert in conjunction with Gurteen College and I will finish this course in April 2018. I have been farming full-time on the family farm for over a year and half.’’
  • PJ O’Keeffe

  • Age: 31.
  • County/region: Kilkenny.
  • Macra club: Callan.
  • Enterprise: Dairy.
  • Background: ‘‘I have been involved in dairy farming for the past 10 years. In 2015, I decided to focus solely on dairy, moving from a beef and dairy mixed enterprise. I also enjoy running and cycling.’’
  • Neily O’Sullivan

  • Age: 27.
  • County/region: Kerry.
  • Macra club: Kenmare.
  • Enterprise: Dairy.
  • Background: ‘‘I got involved in farming from a very early age on the family farm and also through my off-farm job as an adviser with ICBF. Over the last couple years, I have introduced extra yard lighting to make the working environment safer and more efficient. The most positive aspect about farming is being your own boss, setting up your own targets and doing your best to achieve them. The quality of life is also a big advantage.’’
  • Adrian Claffey

  • Age: 21
  • County/region: Westmeath.
  • Macra club: Moate.
  • Enterprise: Dairy.
  • Background: ‘‘I attended Gurteen College in 2013/14 and completed the dairy and beef course. I have been farming on the home farm since 2014. I decided to travel to New Zealand in 2016 to experience the calving season over there. From this experience, I learned a lot about the New Zealand system of farming.’’
  • Colm Stenson

  • Age: 33.
  • County/region: Leitrim.
  • Macra club: South Leitrim.
  • Enterprise: Beef.
  • Background: ‘‘I am 33 years old, married to Brigid and have one daughter, Aoibhinn. I am a part-time suckler farmer and have pedigree Simmentals also. I am chair of my local GAA club and have been heavily involved with Macra over the years, winning a national leadership award in 2016.’’
  • John Cremin

  • Age: 28.
  • County/region: Limerick.
  • Macra club: Inse Ban.
  • Enterprise: Dairy.
  • Background: ‘‘I have been running the family farm since the year 2013. I completed a degree in conjunction with LIT in sustainable renewable electrical energy systems in 2013. I am currently completing my Green Cert through distance-learning course in Pallaskenry, which I will finish in spring 2019. I milk 88 cows and will have 100 calving in 2018. There is also 50 young stock on the farm at the moment. I have a milking platform of 81.5 acres.’’