Would you become a farm manager?

Nothing beats going out in the summer mornings and getting the cows in during the sunrise,” says dairy farm manger James Connor.

As a graduate of the professional diploma in dairy farm management at Moorepark, James went on to manage a dairy farm in Portumna, Co Galway. While most of us dread the thought of an early rise, he is alien to such feelings, as being able to witness the physical beauty of another dawning day is just one of the perks.

“You are your own boss and you are not doing the same things every day. There is plenty of diversity, from milking the cows, registering calves, picking stones and office work.”

Growing up

“I’m from a dairy farming background. At home, we have a small herd of 30 cows. My father is a part-time dairy farmer and from a young age I had an interest in dairy farming,” says James.

Home for James is located in Co Mayo, and when he was a child his love for cows and all things farming quickly flourished. His genuine passion made it an easy decision to choose a career in the dairy industry.

“I did the green cert in 2011 at Mountbellew, when I finished school. Then I went on in 2012 to do an advanced dairy cert,” says James.

“I applied for the diploma in dairy herd management (Moorepark) and I got it. I also applied for agri science in Galway and I went for it, but I knew that it wasn’t for me because it was getting far away from dairying. So I left that course and started the diploma in dairy herd management.”

The first farm James worked on was in Burren, Co Offaly. The dairy herd consisted of 250 cows and it proved to be a valuable experience.

“I got a vast amount of experience with regard to the day-to-day management of the farm. In my final year of the course I was in Co Limerick, with a 700-cow herd. That was very interesting as regards to scale.”

Progression

The dairy industry in Ireland is booming, with plenty of opportunities to avail off, and as long as one has the willingness to learn, career success will not be in short supply.

“The dairy industry in Ireland is fast growing. There are a lot of aspects in dairy farming management, from the business side to dealing with people, dealing with animals and dealing with suppliers,” says James.

“There are many opportunities out there for young people in Ireland with regard to dairy. It’s a growing industry and an exciting one. There are serious opportunities for young, enthusiastic people to progress and succeed in this sector.”

In terms of progression, the continued advancement in technology and research certifies that there is more than one way to do things on the farm.

“There are different systems out there with regard to technology. We’re a spring-calving herd, but there is so much technology now, with different types of systems to suit your needs,” says James.

“Just because one person is using a particular system does not mean that everyone has too.”

Aspirations

James gained the managerial position at Portumna before he had completed the professional diploma in dairy farm management. When he applied for the position, his expectations were not high.

“The dairy farm I am currently on was a green field site, so I went for the job not thinking that I would have got it, because the only experience I had was from the course. I went for the job and I got it two months before I was even qualified. I started working on the farm in November 2015.”

James has been a dairy farm manager for two years now, and he wants to carry on progressing in the industry which led to his initial decision to flee the nest.

“The land base at home was too small to get a full-time income. My own aspiration would be to take on a big block of land,” says James.

“But with regard to the experience that I am getting here at such a young age, I am in full control of this farm.”

Education

Time means money, and the expense of putting yourself through college is a costly one, therefore you need to be sure that your choice of study will be of benefit in the future. James has no regrets with regard to his decision to study at Moorepark, and says that the knowledge gained will stand by any individual who wants to carve out a career in the industry.

“The information we were getting was from the head research of Ireland, and you can bring it onto the farm. You build up a relationships with the people there, and the farms that you are placed on are all very progressive,” says James.

“If I didn’t go on to do that course, I would not have dreamed of applying for this job because it’s such a big role and responsibility.” CL