'Our time is now' - Dairy Women Ireland conference to be held this month

There was a time when mentioning AI at a dairy conference meant everyone knew what you were talking about. Now you have to establish whether the conversation involves a breeding technician or a computer offering to organise your life. Either way, we’d like to know whether it’s worth the money and whether it’ll make the job easier.

That practical curiosity runs through this year’s Dairy Women Ireland conference, on Friday, November 20th, at the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise. I have a particular interest, having recently been elected incoming Vice President of the organisation for 2027. My younger self, growing up in a council estate with no farming background, would have found that announcement surprising.

I’m often reminded of George Bernard Shaw’s observation: “After all, the wrong road always leads somewhere.” My road has taken me from the hairdressing salon into the farmyard, back to college and now onto rather a lot of WhatsApp groups in Dairy Women Ireland. I’m honoured to be working alongside incoming President Mella Briscoe, whose focus is on the “women in wellies”.

Outgoing President Fiona O’Donnell and our committee and regional teams have put enormous work into building the organisation in the 5 short years of our existence in the agri- sphere.

I recently wrote a piece about the work women do on farms, often introduced with “just”. Just rearing calves. Just doing the paperwork. A substantial working day can disappear behind that little word. An estimate based on Teagasc’s National Farm Survey data values unpaid work by family members on dairy farms, excluding the main farmer, at €194 million annually.

That includes all family members, not women alone, but it puts “just helping” into perspective. People contributing that much deserve opportunities to develop their knowledge and meet others doing similar work.

Our conference theme is “Our Time Is Now”. This may require negotiation with a calendar, but the programme makes a convincing case. Dr Doreen Corridan’s keynote, “From Cattle Crush to Boardroom,” joined by Dr Margaret Kelleher, explores her journey leading the National Cattle Breeding Centre. Breakout sessions cover vaccination, soil fertility, grass establishment, nutrition (from drought through to the dry period), and practical uses for artificial intelligence. The succession panel asks “Why not her?” It’s a short question with plenty to discuss.

I will facilitate the rural crime and drug intimidation session with Superintendent Michael Corbett, Sergeant Edel Burke and Gwen McKenna of the Family Addiction Support Network. These issues affect rural families, too often shrouded in shame and secrecy. Knowing where to turn and what support exists matters.

Of course, getting away takes arrangements. There are cows to milk, children to collect and somebody who needs to know where something is, despite it occupying the same shelf since 2009.

I understand the logistics. Between the farm and three children, I rarely find a day sitting there unclaimed. But learning something useful, having lunch while it’s hot and talking to people who understand your life is worth making time for.Come with a friend or come on your own. You don’t need to arrive knowing anyone. We’ll help with that part.

Tickets and programme details are at www.dairywomenireland.ie.