Over the summer months, the successful recipients of this year''s ASA travel bursaries have been sharing their experiences while completing their professional work experience abroad. This week, I caught up with the students to find out what they got up to during their final month of placement as they prepare to return to Ireland for college in September. For the last eight years, the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) have awarded bursaries in association with Irish Farmers Journal, Tirlán and Seedtech to give students the opportunity to travel abroad on work experience placement.
Over the summer months, the successful recipients of this year''s ASA travel bursaries have been sharing their experiences while completing their professional work experience abroad. This week, I caught up with the students to find out what they got up to during their final month of placement as they prepare to return to Ireland for college in September.
For the last eight years, the Agricultural Science Association (ASA) have awarded bursaries in association with Irish Farmers Journal, Tirlán and Seedtech to give students the opportunity to travel abroad on work experience placement.
Cian Mongey on placement in Finland
Cian Mongey
University College Dublin
Finland
“During my professional work experience this month with Smart Ag Engineering in Finland, we conducted some rigorous field testing on one of our prototypes, gathering data and finalizing all parameters and calibrations on the software side of things, in preparation for our intended launch at AGRITECHNICA 2023 in Hanover, Germany.
“My role was to aid in the data collection and processing of the data that we obtained, in addition to driving our R&D test tractor over 150km to our test location and another 150km back. There were some early mornings and late evenins during our test week, but we believe our testing was successful.
“I have gotten the opportunity to travel quite a bit with my internship. As Finland only comprises of 1% of Europe’s agricultural land area, it is not adequate to conduct our customer feedback research in Finland alone. I have travelled to a handful of countries, visiting farms of all types and meeting farmers one to one, to see what issues they have with regard to both modern-day and outdated machinery.
"I am entirely grateful for this working opportunity that broadens my knowledge and skills within the agricultural technology sector. I have worked alongside, and met some amazing people along the way. It has definitely pointed me in the right direction towards what I picture my career to be."
Mark Norse
University College Dublin
Australia
“Since I last wrote, I have moved from New Zealand to Australia to carry out the second half of my professional work experience. I am now working for ProWay, a leading agricultural engineering company who are very experienced in designing, manufacturing and installing livestock handling equipment, delivering comprehensive solutions across the agricultural industry.
“Since starting, I have gone out to sites where ProWay will be constructing their new yards. As part of the first step carried out when designing a new site, I have used surveying equipment and drones to measure the designated area and find out where the farmer wants the yards to be positioned. It has been interesting to speak with farmers and see how they envision ProWay''s yards to operate and then for us to try and further improve that vision to create a better design with increased efficiency. I look forward to continuing to learn in this new role at ProWay.
“Upon finishing my time in New Zealand and starting my new role in Australia, it has been a fantastic experience and opportunity. I have made so many valuable connections across the food and agri-business industry.”
Rory Mulry while on placement in Cambridge, England
Rory Mulry,
University College Dublin
Cambridge, England
“For the final part of my professional work experience, I am in the UK [United Kingdom] working for Johnsons Soil Eco [JSE] Systems spreading bio-solids, which is the end-product of waste water treatment. This is a highly sought resource by local farmers due to the high organic matter within the product.
“Over the course of my placement, the highlight for me was the opportunity to travel to Canada and work on Dustin Hawkins’ farm. This experience offered me an insight into the day-to-day running of a large scale arable and beef farm and gave me an understanding of how other farmers in different parts of the world operate. It also would encourage me to travel to other areas such as New Zealand and Australia in the future.
“Having not had any experience working on a dairy farm before my placement, I found my time at Tallon farm in Co Meath very beneficial. I was there for nine weeks and was involved in all the day-to-day runnings of a 1500-cow dairy farm. The knowledge gained here will stand to me in my final year studies and into my working career.”
Ciara Smith
, Dundalk Institute
of Technology
Germany
“I have now successfully completed 11 weeks of my 12-week agri-food internship here at Landguth Heimtiernahrung. My job is to analyse beef products such as beef hearts, kidneys, and other forms of beef offal upon arrival.
“Prior to this internship, I had worked in a number of meat plants and had some knowledge of cuts of beef and offal. This gave me an understanding of the factors that affect the fat content of offcuts and offal. I found this work extremely interesting as it further develops my understanding of why specifications are important throughout the supply chain.
“From 24 July to 6 August I had the great privilege of working with Helmuth Boomgarden, a local dairy farmer in Krummhorn, Germany, who farms 160 hectares, of which 100 hectares are grassland and 60 hectares are cereals. The tillage enterprise consists of rapeseed, wheat, barley and maize, while the dairy enterprise consists of 100 Holstein-Friesian cows in a year-round calving system.
“I''ve gained some great skills over the past 11 weeks that will help me a lot as I enter my final year of college in September.
“Overall, the placement experience has been extremely pleasant and fulfilling and the time has flown by. Two sayings that really stuck in my mind during this internship are: ‘Time flies while you''re having fun’ and ‘Choose a job you love, and you won''t have to work a day in your life''.
Sean Raftry on placement in New Zealand
Sean Raftry, South East Technological University
New Zealand
“Overall New Zealand has been an unbelievable experience. To get the opportunity to travel to the opposite side of the world is something I will cherish forever.
“Seeing the methods of agriculture in New Zealand has taught me so much, I have developed my knowledge of agriculture that will benefit me as I progress through college. One of the best parts of the experience was getting to meet so many fellow Irish people abroad that have also travelled to work or travel New Zealand. I was delighted to get the chance to travel the whole of New Zealand from Queenstown all the way to Auckland in the north island.
“I would highly recommend anyone thinking of going abroad to take the opportunity and have an open-minded attitude towards the experience. It is a brilliant opportunity to explore new ventures and learn new skills and develop your knowledge.
“The time flies so make the most of it while you are there and enjoy every moment.”
Future applicants
Applications for the ASA travel bursaries open at the start of the academic year, if you are looking to apply or have any questions regarding the bursaries email secretary@asaireland.ie
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