Name: Michael White

County: Cork

Current position: Currently I am assisting with running the home farm of 120 cows. We run a split calving herd with a 65% calving in the spring and 35% calving in the autumn. Running of the herd and farm is split between me and my father.

Course completed and location: I completed the Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture & Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Dairy Herd Management) in Clonakilty Agricultural College.

The 2 periods of placement were the best part of the course. I really learned a lot on a similar type of farming enterprise to my own. There were practices I learned that I could bring home to my home farm. I also learned a lot on planning, herd management, breeding, grassland, nutrient management, and sustainability.

We are looking forward now to growing the herd on the existing platform. I would give 3 pieces of advice to course graduates: Set your goals and stick to them; have the confidence to achieve your targets; and see other countries and systems.

Teagasc