Sunday 7th July, 2013
The 4.30 am starts don't get any easier and this one is no exception as we march down the street before 6am to catch a bus to take us to the Beauvais airport.
The airport was 1.25hrs out from the bus stop so we needed to be there on time.
Destination Dublin, Ireland via Ryanair.
The 4.30 am starts don't get any easier and this one is no exception as we march down the street before 6am to catch a bus to take us to the Beauvais airport.
The airport was 1.25hrs out from the bus stop so we needed to be there on time.
Destination Dublin, Ireland via Ryanair.
As l said in my previous blog, stick with a reputable carrier and avoid the hassle of what appear to be cheap deals.
During our week in Ireland we are hosted by the 2013 Irish Nufield Scholars, and that starts with Karen Brosnan a 2013 who helped get our hire cars to take back to our hotel.
This is not meant to read like a diary but more as a collection of notes and l will try to give some opinions and observations......
A free afternoon in Dublin seems like a great opportunity to take in some of the local culture. A pint of Guinness gives us a chance to gather our thoughts and look at the options. It turns out the Guinness Storehouse is only a 10 minute drive and they do tours on a Sunday.
Brilliant !
The tour was great with a fully interactive introduction to the brewing process from start to finish including the soil preparation to the marketing of the beer.
During our week in Ireland we are hosted by the 2013 Irish Nufield Scholars, and that starts with Karen Brosnan a 2013 who helped get our hire cars to take back to our hotel.
This is not meant to read like a diary but more as a collection of notes and l will try to give some opinions and observations......
A free afternoon in Dublin seems like a great opportunity to take in some of the local culture. A pint of Guinness gives us a chance to gather our thoughts and look at the options. It turns out the Guinness Storehouse is only a 10 minute drive and they do tours on a Sunday.
Brilliant !
The tour was great with a fully interactive introduction to the brewing process from start to finish including the soil preparation to the marketing of the beer.
Not to mention getting a
certificate for pouring the perfect pint.
The photo above is from one of the interpretative boards on the Guinness tour, I keep thinking there is something wrong with the picture.... am I right or wrong ?
The day concluded at Karen’s home for a barbeque
dinner with some of her colleagues and friends.
Meetings at farm center Monday 8th July 2013
Irish Co-operative organization society ltd.
Founded in 1893, primary focus is the organization of
agricultural and rural co-operatives. Autonomous body.
Has a representative body on EU committees.
Members 150000, employees 15000 in Ireland, turnover 13
billion Euro. 13 member board
Mainly processing co-ops but include forestry, community
markets and many more.
The society does arbitration on all co-op levels.
There is training and Development with the directors including a train the trainer course.
There is training and Development with the directors including a train the trainer course.
Issues facing Ag co-ops: CAP reform, expansion, new markets,
financing milk supply arrangements, managing price volatility, managing weather
and disease risk.
Also: Bi lateral trade negotiations, legislative issues
including environment, health and safety etc.
Irish Farmers Association
Most of the rationalization for direct payments is to
benefit the consumer and deliver low cost food. Maintaining the cultural
communities is also touted as a good reason. Ultimately most would be very
unprofitable if direct payments are removed.
The Association is confident that the Irish agricultural sector can double its output in 10
years. Provided that they can do it in an environmental and sustainable way.
Food Harvest 2020
Key themes: Smart + Green = Growth
200+ recommendations: customer and customer focus, Industry
growth, farm level growth, environmental sustainability, value added food,
sector by sector actions.
Growth targets: increase value of primary output by 33%,
raise the sectors value added by 40%.
50% increase in milk production, 20% increase in beef value production, increase exports by 42%.
Increases will be basically in current markets that they are
servicing now.
Ireland-Need to borrow 1 billion per month in Ireland to pay
all wages
Sector has real potential to fuel economic and export growth
while embracing the government’s commitment to the development of the smart
economy. Next step is the implementation through the co-ops, farmers with more
debt.
Irish Beef and Sheep meat industry
Has 90% of the industry in terms of members. Main roles are
policy and advocacy, technical agenda, information service. Also have external
relations with various organizations. along with a media division.
Beef: 2.3 million cows with 1.5-1.6 m per/28 plants
slaughter. 90% export
Sheep: 5.2 million head, 2.4 m head /8 plants for slaughter
Pig: 1.6 m herd.
Beef: Supplier of fresh/chilled beef to UK/EU retail and
food service UK 1kg in every 4kg of beef consumer is Irish.
Most sales are to EU markets. Diminishing sales since 2000
from non EU to EU.
Justin McCarthy, Irish Farmers Journal
Operates as a trust status, growing slowly, based on unique
content for an average farmer.
Invests in helping report and distribute technical advice
for farmers. 70000 copies per week once a week.
Also have a subscription online service. 2.60 Euro per issue
at 112 pages.
Heading north to County Cavan we arrive at Carton Bros who operate a chicken processing plant in Shercock and met with
Alo Mohan, 2013 Irish scholar.
Alo had arranged a tour of the factory and we learned
a bit about the history and specifics of the plant.
The company employs over 650 people and has the ability to process over 13000 birds an
hour.
We then left to visit a broiler farmer and had a good
interactive conversation with Alo and IFA county representative and vice
president Eddie Downey.
Dinner was in Virginia, Co Cavan before returning back to Dublin.
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| Alo Mohan describing the finer points of chicken processing to fellow Scholar Antony Vagg, Aust. |
Tuesday 9th June
Met up with Mark Rochford at his farm Mountmellick, Co Laois
Family run dairy partnership in the midlands with his father
Gerard, uncle Fergal and Cousin Bernard.
He has a grass based spring calving system. 80-90% of the
cows diet is grass with approximately 70% grazed grass. Silage fed over the
winter for 10-16 weeks weather dependant.
In 2011 they grew 13 tonnes dry matter of grass and in 2012 they grew 10.5 tonnes dry matter of grass due to poor wet weather.
In 2011 they grew 13 tonnes dry matter of grass and in 2012 they grew 10.5 tonnes dry matter of grass due to poor wet weather.
They have grown from 190 milking cows in 2007 to 445 in 2013.
Farm statistics:
Farm size 235 Ha, including 35 Ha of leased area. A milking
platform of 175 Ha with a milk quota of 2.1 million litres.
Stock: 445 milking cows, 176 in calf heifers, 207
heifer calves and 12 Bulls.
Their costs are 18 cents per litre giving a net return on
current prices of 16 cents per litre profit.
Next stop is Dairymaster, approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Mark's farm.
We get a very warm welcome at Dairymaster both in terms of hospitality at the fact that lreland is in the grip s of a heatwave !
Dairymaster is a dairy component supply company who manufactures most commomly used infrastructure required in dairy sheds from water fittings to turn key packages.
Next stop is Dairymaster, approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Mark's farm.
We get a very warm welcome at Dairymaster both in terms of hospitality at the fact that lreland is in the grip s of a heatwave !
Dairymaster is a dairy component supply company who manufactures most commomly used infrastructure required in dairy sheds from water fittings to turn key packages.
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| The Welcome flags are out at Dairymaster |
Here we met with the international Business Development
manager, Fergus O’Meara, Paul Kelly, Animal Health Monitoring Specialist and Bob Keogh International Sales Executive.
We had a presentation from Fergus and then toured the
buildings and factory.
Basically they do all their manufacturing in-house including plastic moulding, metal fabrication (including bolts) and even down to the circuit boards.
They have a cool team working with 3D computer software with a 3D printer and specialised teams working on software development.
Last stop today was in Tralee to meet at Kerry group head office and speak with Frank Hayes, Corporate Affairs Director.
Frank told us the Kerry story.
Basically they do all their manufacturing in-house including plastic moulding, metal fabrication (including bolts) and even down to the circuit boards.
They have a cool team working with 3D computer software with a 3D printer and specialised teams working on software development.
Last stop today was in Tralee to meet at Kerry group head office and speak with Frank Hayes, Corporate Affairs Director.
Frank told us the Kerry story.
Kerry Group is a 5.8 Billion Euro turnover company which is
a world leader in food ingredients and flavors. It began as a dairy co-op in
the early 1970s. It has manufacturing facilities in 24 countries and sales
offices in 20 other countries.
Thursday 11th July
Visit and tour of Coolmore Stud Farm near
Fethard, Co Tipperary.
Coolmore Stud is the world’s largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses.
It is now owned by John Magnier who has built it into a multi-billion euro business.
In addition to the Irish stud, it has another farm in Kentucky, and one in New South Wales. After the northern hemisphere breeding season, some stallions are moved to Australia and Argentina for their season.
The farm operations to support this high value business are most impressive.
Coolmore Stud is the world’s largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses.
It is now owned by John Magnier who has built it into a multi-billion euro business.
In addition to the Irish stud, it has another farm in Kentucky, and one in New South Wales. After the northern hemisphere breeding season, some stallions are moved to Australia and Argentina for their season.
The farm operations to support this high value business are most impressive.
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| L - R Jason Walsh and Galileo ! |
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| You just never know who you might meet on Nuffield Scholarships ! |
Visit Rock of Cashel.
A spectacular set of buildings set on an outcrop, overlooking the plains of the River Suir. It was once the seat of the overkings of Munster. Its origins as a centre of power go back to the 4th or 5th centuries.
l guess Europe is full of history but there is something about a castle that draws you to it. Really makes you realise what a youthful country New Zealand is ...
A spectacular set of buildings set on an outcrop, overlooking the plains of the River Suir. It was once the seat of the overkings of Munster. Its origins as a centre of power go back to the 4th or 5th centuries.
l guess Europe is full of history but there is something about a castle that draws you to it. Really makes you realise what a youthful country New Zealand is ...
Cooleeney Farm, Moyne, Thurles.
Visit to farm and farmhouse cheese business near Thurles.
Cooleeney Farm is owned by the Jim and Breda Maher and their family, who are the 4th generation to run this farm.
The pedigree Friesian herd produces the milk which is used to make award winning speciality soft mould rind type cheeses.
Visited Julian Hughes (2010 scholar) in Kells near Kilkenny.
Julian spoke on horticulture and his Nuffield experience and what he achieved after Nuffield, and Jim McCarthy (1996 scholar) gave us an account of his experiences in both Ireland and outside the country where he now spends much of his time and effort putting together investment structures in Eastern Europe, North and South America, many being hugely successful and others needing a more time to mature !
Ed O'Donnell, a school friend of Julian was on hand to give us an outline andhistory behind his business.
O'Donnells Crisps was developed when Ed came back to the family farm all fired up with energy after traveling overseas.
Ed wanted to add value to what was being produced on the farm and looked to their potato enterprise to supply the raw ingredient. The spuds are processed under contract by another processor at this stage but that may well change as the business develops.
The afternoon had a very relaxed atmosphere and we all thoroughly enjoyed meeting with some very inspirational people.
The day finished with a barbecue and a great night on the tiles in Kilkenny.
Julian spoke on horticulture and his Nuffield experience and what he achieved after Nuffield, and Jim McCarthy (1996 scholar) gave us an account of his experiences in both Ireland and outside the country where he now spends much of his time and effort putting together investment structures in Eastern Europe, North and South America, many being hugely successful and others needing a more time to mature !
Ed O'Donnell, a school friend of Julian was on hand to give us an outline andhistory behind his business.
O'Donnells Crisps was developed when Ed came back to the family farm all fired up with energy after traveling overseas.
Ed wanted to add value to what was being produced on the farm and looked to their potato enterprise to supply the raw ingredient. The spuds are processed under contract by another processor at this stage but that may well change as the business develops.
The afternoon had a very relaxed atmosphere and we all thoroughly enjoyed meeting with some very inspirational people.
The day finished with a barbecue and a great night on the tiles in Kilkenny.
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| Ed's Crisps |
Friday 12th July
This morning was to be a free morning, however Carly, Antony, Cookie and Myself have arranged to meet a sheep farmer about an hour north of Galway, 3 hours from Kilkenny and an hour from our mid afternoon appointment.
Carly thanks for driving, that must have been a killer !
Farmers in the area have developed the Connemara Hill Lamb 14 years ago to increase returns to the local farmers and to take a high quality product to the consumer.
A great example of what can be done on a community level !
Next stop....
This morning was to be a free morning, however Carly, Antony, Cookie and Myself have arranged to meet a sheep farmer about an hour north of Galway, 3 hours from Kilkenny and an hour from our mid afternoon appointment.
Carly thanks for driving, that must have been a killer !
Farmers in the area have developed the Connemara Hill Lamb 14 years ago to increase returns to the local farmers and to take a high quality product to the consumer.
A great example of what can be done on a community level !
 |
| The Connemara Lamb |
Next stop....
JFC Manufacturing, Tuam.
JFC Manufacturing was set up to supply specialized plastic
products to the agricultural industry.
The Company employs 90 people in Tuam, and another 110 in UK, Holland and Poland, and now sell to a variety of sectors worldwide, including construction, healthcare, recycling, marine and chemical.
The Company employs 90 people in Tuam, and another 110 in UK, Holland and Poland, and now sell to a variety of sectors worldwide, including construction, healthcare, recycling, marine and chemical.
Had an address by John Concannon, Owner of JFC, on his perspective on leadership, its role in implementing
change, growing people in his organisation and creating a thriving sustainable
business.
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| Vaggie checking out the comfort on the JFC plastic cow stall ! |
Final destination today is Cloonacauneen Castle, Claregalway,
Co. Galway, where we,Aust. and NZ Scholars give a briefing ; “Getting a handle on World
Agriculture” following 5 weeks travel and briefings in China, USA and
Mainland Europe.
the briefing is followed up by a Q and A session
the briefing is followed up by a Q and A session
Chair for the Briefing was Aaron Forde, CEO of Aurivo.
A dinner was then provided for all the guests including former
nuffields and their partners
Nuffield update by the CEO of Ireland Nuffield
Guest Speaker was Justin McCarthy, Irish Farmers Journal who we met with earlier in the week in Dublin.
Kate and Carly both headed back to Dublin to catch early flights in the morning to their respective destinations.
We say our goodbyes and reflect on what has been an awesome week in Ireland....
We say our goodbyes and reflect on what has been an awesome week in Ireland....
Its been a great 7 weeks and the people we've met, the things we have seen is something I could not have imagined 8 months ago.
But most of all its the friendships .....
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| How do you dispose of a bag in an Airport without attracting attention ???? |
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| Why are we early every time our flight is late ! |
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