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Place you call home:
Ballycarry, Co.Antrim.
Occupation:
Full time Horse Sport Ireland riding coach and manager of Dalways Bawn Equestrian Centre. Part time managing our family farm.
Farming commodity:
I was raised on my family’s farm which was predominantly dairy, the Bellahill herd was responsible for prize winning Friesians in my father and grandfather’s day. We also had some beef cattle and lots of sheep. Nowadays we have Zwartble pedigree sheep, store lambs and a few goats. The sheep partner very well with the horses and ponies, but Dad would still like some cattle again so watch this space. We produce a lot of haylage and forage now, specifically tailored to equine diets.
How did you become involved in farming?
Born and raised into it. Then later I completed my agriculture degree from Queen’s University Belfast.
Earliest farming memory:
Being my Dad’s right hand ‘man’, being raised in the tractor as the co-pilot and constantly observing and learning daily. At the time, I don’t think you realise how much you are learning, but as you become older, you realise so many transferable skills were learned in those early years in a tractor cab, a milking parlour or herding animals as a team.
What personal characteristics did you develop from agriculture?
At home we have a word ‘thran’ and to my annoyance, I was called this most of my childhood life, but I have realised that you need this to be successful. I have also developed resilience, determination and resourcefulness because let’s face it, you need to be able to fix anything with some baler twine and a few broken gates. Oh, and driving. I love to drive machinery; I’d imagine that’s because I was raised in it.
Life lesson you learnt from farming:
That you can do your very best, do everything right and it still doesn’t work out for you. At that point you need to bow to a higher power, dust yourself off and get up for the next round and try again.
What do you enjoy most about the farming lifestyle?
The challenge and the beauty of nature in all her many forms. The freedom, the heritage, the craic and constantly learning every day from the older generation, the vets, contractors, salespeople and the rest of the amazing guys and girls who keep this countryside gang running in all seasons. Finally, the sunrises and sunsets, they never get old.
Describe a farmer in three words:
Caring, resilient and self-sacrificing (oops, that’s four words, but as a farmer you learn to bend the rules now and again).
What would you like the public to know about Northern Ireland farming?
I would like them to challenge their perceptions about farming and farmers. Ditch the social media stereotype and come and meet us. Learn the reality of farming and how farmers love to work, they are self-sacrificing while they look after the countryside for all of us and produce some of the highest standards of food in the world for us all to enjoy.
If you could give farmers/farming families/farming community one piece of advice, what would it be?
Goodness me, in the current state of the world, etc, I’m not sure I’m the right person to give advice, but I guess I would say, keep going, you are all doing an amazing job. Surround yourself with the right people to help and advise you. If you do need help, then ask for it, as that can be your greatest strength. Don’t see it as a weakness as there are so many brilliant organisations now to help with all aspects, be it physical, mental or financial help.
What would you say to others who are considering a career in the agriculture industry?
I would say it’s the best job in the world, but at times one of the hardest. If you aren’t from a farm, go and work on one first. If you can’t get a job on a farm, then volunteer and if you can’t volunteer then you haven’t found the right farmer as there are always so many jobs to be done and there’s always room for helpers. Experience a winter farming and if you still like it after that, then you will love it. In the wider agriculture industry there are so many more jobs and opportunities now so definitely investigate them all and find what you would love to do.
What are your hopes for the future of Northern Ireland’s agriculture industry?
For common sense to reappear from wherever it is currently being hidden. Northern Ireland is unique and we create amazing farmers and produce. Farmers and the industry should be valued, protected and supported by our government and our public. Sadly, at the minute, it takes a spell of inclement weather or a health scare such as Covid for everyone to suddenly value local famers, when really this should be a daily occurrence. I am also passionate about agriculture being taught in some form in schools as children need to know where and how food is produced, then it will be included in their decisions.
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