County Laois farmer Eamonn Holohan took top honours in the Beef Farmer of the Year category at the Farmer of the Year Awards which were held at the Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin back in late May. His son Willie reflects on a proud night for the Holohan family.
The Zurich Farm Insurance Farming Independent Farmer of the Year Awards, now in their fourth year, recognise excellence in all areas of the Irish farming industry, aiming to shine a light on one of the most successful and important sectors within the Irish economy.
Having won the award over two other farmers in the Beef Farmer of the Year category, Eamonn from Barney, Rathdowney was presented with a cash prize of €2,500 at the special awards ceremony for his achievements.
Speaking on the night, Declan O’Halloran, Head of Sales & Agri Business for Zurich Insurance said: “The Farmer of the Year Awards are designed to celebrate excellence across a wide range of farming categories and to reward Ireland’s farmers for their contribution to their communities and to society.
“Eamonn Holohan has set himself apart in the Beef Farmer of the Year category and we’re proud to help recognise this accomplishment.
“On behalf of Zurich, Ireland’s fastest growing farm insurer and a title sponsor of this event, I would like to congratulate Eamonn Holohan, and the other winners of the 2017 Farmer of the Year Awards, as well as each and every one of those who were shortlisted.
“These Awards are a celebration of their successes and a showcase of some of the world-class work carried out by Ireland’s farming community, and it’s great to see them becoming an annual highlight in the farming calendar.”
Eamonn was nominated by his son Willie (32), who works part-time at the farm in the afternoons. Another son, Edward (36), is full-time on the farm, while their brother Michael (33) is involved in the meat business in Norway.
“At the start when we entered dad into it we didn’t think too much about it but when you get word that you are one of three nominations you start to think that he has a chance here,” revealed Willie.
“I suppose it would have been disappointing had he not won having got that far but we were obviously delighted when it was announced that he had won it. It’s a very prestigious honour for him and the family.
“The farm is a joint venture between all of us but he is the main man. My grandfather Michael bought this place in 1966 and dad took over from him. He has been working here all his life and farming is everything to him. If a cow is near calving, he wouldn’t move too far from their side and we calve all year. There’s a bit more work involved in that but the judges seemed to like that system.”
Willie and Edward are now third generation farmers and care to carry on the tradition passed down by their father and grandfather. Their mother Mary is also a key component of the business and looks after the paperwork.
From a herd of 140 cows, they calve all year round, producing a constant cash flow. The use of two Saler bulls makes for easy calving. After building up their suckler herd from 90 to 140 cows in recent years, they now plan to calve 150 this year.
Another factor that contributed to the success the Holohan organic family enterprise included the grass management of their 250 acres.
“We had our homework done,” added Willie, “and grass management was one of the things that the judges’ mentioned on the night. We are ex dairy men and we believe that is essential to get the right weight of the calf down the line.”
Recently, Laois TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan was a surprise visitor to the Holohan farm to congratulate Eamonn on his award success.
Speaking during the visit, Minister Flanagan stated: “It is great to have an All-Ireland Champion in Laois and I wish to acknowledge the great honour brought to the county by Eamonn Holohan.”
During the visit, the Minister participated in a brief farm tour which was conducted by Eamonn, Willie and Edward and saw first-hand the impressive and magnificent farm operation at Rathdowney.
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 5 No 6, September 2017
