Michael O’Donovan

Ballinspittle, Co Cork

My father and uncle bought this farm in Ballinspittle, Co Cork in 1959. The farm was mostly tillage for the first 20 years, but they also ran a calf to beef system.

I helped out on the farm when I was young, and when I left school, I studied at Clonakilty Agriculture College.

I inherited my uncle’s farm in the mid 1990s and also took over the running of my parents’ farm and started farming full time. I keep sheep as well as cattle and currently have 120 ewes. Our herd is mostly steers, with about 20% heifers.

Our calves are fed whole milk and are put out to grass as early as possible; I operate a paddock grazing system so that the herd are always on new grass. In the winter I rely on quality silage, we aim for silage with a Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD) of over 70%. We finish our heifers at 18 to 20 months and our steers at around 2 years of age.

“Early turnout is key to good performance from grass and then keep them going with fresh grass always.

Our farm is in the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) for the past 5 years, so we are required to complete a nutrient management plan and frequently take soil samples. We also undertake environmental protection measures such as planting wild bird cover and establishing bird and bat boxes. Our farm has a wide selection of wildlife including pheasants, buzzards and many small native birds. We are very proud of our riparian zone on the farm, which is an area that provides a critical habitat for insects, amphibians and other wildlife. During high flows, such as spring run-off, riparian areas store water, releasing it to the stream during low flow periods. Riparian areas absorb and dissipate water energy during floods and other high-water situations.

“Like all dry stock farmers there is often some concern about the long-term income or its stability, but for now the farm has developed nicely and is producing well”

When not working I enjoy swimming with my family, my wife Bernadette and 5-year-old daughter Sibeal. We’re lucky to be so close to the sea, so we get out into the water as often as we can.

“Going down the fields near the river to see the Hereford cattle all relaxing especially in the evening time or early in the morning when checking the animals with the early morning sun shining on their backs, is hugely satisfying.”