'The good times don’t seem to be lasting' - former Young Farmer of the Year

2013 FBD young farmer of the year John Buckley never got any encouragement in school to farm.

Speaking at the first of a series of walks to be held on the farms of previous winners, the Bantry man said: "When I did my Leaving cert in 2003, I was persuaded not to go farming. It was seen as worse than saying you were going to sign on the dole for the rest of your life.”

Addressing the young farmers present at the walk last Friday, he had a few simple bits of advice.

“Focus on financial management and budget for the poorer years because the good times don’t seem to be lasting as long as they used to.

"Grassland management is also a huge one to look at. It’s even more important after we’ve had two fodder shortages in five years. We have to produce more grass or else carry less stock to get out of the cycle of running short of feed.”

He also encouraged young farmers to travel within or outside the country. This includes discussion group meetings.

“Just because you go to a farm with land that is better than yours doesn’t mean you should go with the attitude that 'oh I can’t learn anything here'," Buckley said.

Partnership

Following time working in New Zealand and the UK, Buckley returned home and set up a milk production partnership with his parents in 2010.

The land is just washed out

It’s been a very hard spring on Buckley’s farm. He admits they farm challenging ground.

“We didn’t get cows out by day until the end of March. Some of the first rotation is left to graze. It’s been hard going. We cut first silage around this time last year and it’s almost rained since.

"A field we reclaimed in June last year hasn’t been reseeded yet due to conditions. The land is just washed out.”

Competition

Speaking of the FBD young farmer of the year competition, Buckley said when he was nominated the plan was to take part and learn from it.

John Buckley, Bantry, Co Cork, just after he'd won Macra's FBD young farmer of the year.

John Buckley holding the Young Farmer of the Year trophy at the final in 2013 in Adare, Co Limerick

“I didn’t expect to win. It has been a fantastic experience and I’ve met a lot of interesting people. I’d encourage people to enter and challenge themselves. At worst you’ll come out better because of participating.”

Macra na Feirme president James Healy said the series of farm walks for the competition's anniversary is a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the winners and see how they have progressed their businesses since winning.

"We hope to give our members an insight into what the best young farmers in the country are doing and it’s important to recognise the benefit of continually developing your farm business," Healy said.

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