From an early age, North Kerry farmer / contractor Neilus O’Connor identified the importance of diversification, which has culminated in a varied and successful enterprise comprising potato production; silage and baling contracting; and firewood production, We travelled to Moyvane and caught up with the practical, highly-motivated and industrious young Kerryman, who was recently elected vice-chairman of the IFA’s potato committee.

Even though he’s still only in his thirties, Neilus O’Connor has been farming full time for 17 years. From his base in Moyvane, County Kerry he provides an assortment of high-quality farming and contracting services.

He’s passionate about promoting the welfare of farmers and this is why he agreed to become vice-chairman of the IFA’s potato committee. This position will take up even more of his time, but Neilus is honoured to have the opportunity to represent his fellow potato growers and brings the same energy and drive to the role that is evident in all his other endeavours.

Growing up on the family farm that was managed by his parents Patrick and Bridie and synonymous with Moyvane Potatoes, Neilus has been at home all his life, apart from one year spent at agricultural college. He’s been farming full time since 1999.

There are four aspects to the family business – potatoes, silage production on a contract basis, baling contracting and firewood production. “We’re contracted to five dairy farmers in the local community where we cut silage and sell it to them. We’ve been doing that since 2009/2010 and produce 2,500 bales per year off 110 acres. One farmer takes 800 bales off us and the rest of them take 200 or 300 each.

“We also have our own baling contracting service, which is provided to around 80 or 90 farmers in the local area. When I came home in ’99, potatoes were the biggest part of the business but contracting has taken over since.”

The O’Connors are renowned across counties Kerry and Limerick for the outstanding produce they grow and market under the Moyvane Potatoes banner. “We have 20 acres of potatoes – eight acres of British Queens and twelve acres of Kerr Pinks,” he notes. “There’s nice early soil here, which is frost resistance because it’s near the sea, so we can get in early.”

The Twohig Group, who have Super Valus in Askeaton, Abbeyfeale and Kanturk, take most of the early potatoes. Newtownsandes Co-Op, which is something of a rarity in that it is still owned by the parish, is another important customer. “Local butchers and local rural shops take the rest of them,” Neilus adds.

The Kerry man runs a fleet of six Case tractors plus one Ford, which his dad bought in 1994 and is still going like a dream. He also operates a fleet of McHale 5500 and 550 balers. “We never went for the Fusions because the ground here is heavy,” he reveals. “I also run a fleet of Kuhn trailed mowers but had an issue with them sinking, so I had a look at the Claas rear-mounted mower and bought one from Niall Nolan in Tralee, which has been an excellent success. I’ll look at replacing another one soon.”

Not a man to put all his eggs in two or three baskets, let alone one, Neilus started up another new venture in 2013. “Three years ago I applied to the LEADER funding programme for a new business outside farming and they funded 75% of a machine from Offaly, which I use for firewood processing. It’s going well and providing work for two men full time.”

It all makes perfect sense considering how volatile and unpredictable potatoes are at the best of times as well as the downward pressure on farm gate prices. “You could have an excellent year this year with spuds and then have a dramatic drop in price, so we have decided to diversify so that one activity will balance the other out.

“A lot of local rural shops are finding it hard to compete and growers are losing that market,” Neilus continues. “I think local growers in rural areas should be able to put a certain amount of their product into Lidl and Aldi. Those big multiples should be persuaded to take an agreed percentage of local product.”

The fact that potato sales are down across the board presents further challenges… “We have started a campaign with An Bord Bia and the Irish Potato Federation to promote potatoes and try to increase consumption, and that seems to have worked very well last year. Something is being done to make the potato more fashionable and to dispel some of the lies that have been told. It’s a very healthy product and the trend is out there now to promote it and to shatter the misconception that potatoes are fattening.”

As vice-chairman of the IFA’s potato committee, Neilus O’Connor says he has very big shoes to fill, with his predecessor Larry Whelan from Wexford having made a massive contribution. “I will be representing the smaller growers, while Eddie [Doyle, chairman] represents the larger growers so it’s a nice balance,” he states.

With time at a premium, why take on such a role? “I think I have the energy for it,” concludes the enthusiastic North Kerry man. “I’m still young and only in my 30s and I wanted to see if I could bring about some change and make things better.

“My main aim is to get a certain percentage of local growers’ potatoes into the discounters and to get a fair price at the farm gate, to see farmers get their fair share. Costs are rising but the farm gate price hasn’t moved a whole lot, which is disappointing, but the battle with market forces and the multiples goes on.”

Neilus O’Connor
Moyvane Potatoes Ltd
Moyvane
Co. Kerry
Tel: 087-6773345

Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 4 No 6, July/August 2016

Moyvane Potatoes, Neilus O’Connor