Farming has certainly moved with the times and these days technology and science play a massive part in the day to day running of any farm. That is why the current generation of young farmers are mainly college educated.
Every little detail in farming is scrutinised and studied to see what procedure should be followed to get the best results out of either land or stock.
With fertile soils, a temperate climate and abundant rain water, Ireland has enviable natural advantages for farming the land to produce food, fibre and fuel. Aided by the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream, Ireland’s climate is particularly suited for the growth of ryegrass, an excellent and inexpensive feed for livestock. This simple competitive advantage is the basis for much of Ireland’s farming today.
The country also has a rich tradition of stockmanship and crop husbandry, with farming skills handed down through at least 200 generations.
The agri-food sector is one of Ireland’s most important indigenous manufacturing sectors, accounting for employment of around 150,000 people. It includes approximately 600 food and drinks firms throughout the country that export 85% of our food and seafood to more than 160 countries worldwide. Research has shown that Ireland’s investment in agriculture produces a far bigger return than investment in other sectors. That is because agriculture sources 71% of raw materials and services from Irish suppliers, compared to 44% for all manufacturing companies.
Adrian Seale runs a a state-of-the-art dairying operation in Laois and has proven himself to be resilient when it has come to absorbing and managing change on the farm he operates with his father David and uncle Anthony.
Located in Mountrath, the Seale family farm 220 acres and milk 175 cows. Adrian attended college and earned a degree in business studies before returning to the homestead and running the farm.
Since he became full involved in 2010, he and his family have grown he dairy side of the farm from 120 cows to 175. He revealed to Irish Tractor that their next move is installing a new 26 unit Dairymaster milking parlour.
“I run the farm alongside my father and my uncle. We are currently installing a new milking parlour. We have been increasing our quota for the last few years and the new parlour will cut down on milking time massively. All Friesian heifer calves are kept, while bull calves are sold to regular customers or the local mart,” said Adrian.
The latest generation of the Seale family knows the important of science in farming and he stressed that it has many benefits.
“Grass measurements are something that have certainly benefited the farming industry. You have to try and get the best out of your land and that is a big help.”
Adrian admitted that this summer has been an expensive one for farmers as the drought earlier on in the year caused farmers to use their winter feed.
“We had a bad spring with the snow and then the drought during the summer which meant there was no growth, so the cattle had to be feed. It is a tough period, but you have to take the good with the bad.”
Adrian added that they use contractors for their silage, but added that they do their own slurry work and have the necessary equipment to do so.
“We do get contractors in for the silage, but we have our own trailing shoe for the slurry work. We used the umbilical system once, but find there is no real need for it here.”
A progressive farmer, Adrian has come to the notice of his peers as he was nominated for the Young Farmer of the Year awards.
“I was delighted to be a finalist. There were to be a county interview, but there was no one else in the competition at that level which was disappointing, but for the semi-final, I had to do an interview which covered everything including bio-diversity.
“I was then sent forward for the finals which were held in Castleknock and even though I didn’t win it was a great experience to be nominated.”
For the future, Adrian stated that the aim was to increase the herd and the acreage that they farm.
“We would like to increase the herd to about 200 cows and if there was land available in the area, we would take advantage of that.”
Adrian feels that at government level, the dairy farmer is not treated too badly, but added that there are certain areas of the industry that need to be addressed.
“The dairy farmer is certainly being looked after better than the beef farmer at the moment, but yeah there are certain areas that needed to be looked at and helped improve at government level.”
Despite being busy on the farm where there are two employed full time, Adrian finds time to be involved with Macra na Feirme and is chairman of the Portlaoise branch.
“Last year, I was the Competitions Secretary for the club. I also won Club Person of the Year. Presently, I’m the Club Chairperson of Portlaoise Macra and newly elected Agricultural Affairs Secretary for Laois Macra na Feirme. I played hurling for Trumera GAA Club.
“Since 2015, I’m involved with the Christmas Shoxbox Appeal in conjunction with Laois Macra na Feirme. The Pieta House tractor run was organised by Portlaoise Macra since 2017 and I entered my tractor on both occasions.”
Adrian Seale
Mouthrath, Co Laois
Tel: 087 934 2927
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 6 No 8, December 2018/January 2019
