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Favorite Farmer Entry: Paddy Sheehan

March 15, 2018
Favorite Farmer Entry: Paddy Sheehan

My name is Paddy Sheehan, I am a final year student of Dairy Business in University College Dublin and my favorite farmer is Kevin McGarry. Born on a beef farm in Roscommon, Kevin always had a passion for farming. At the ripe age of 18 Kevin left for New Zealand to pursue a career in dairy farming.

In what can be described as a man on a mission Kevin left to follow his dreams, of milking hundreds of cows on a major dairy farm. Unfortunately while in New Zealand Kevin was involved in a motorcycle accident on the farm and subsequently lost both legs. This did not deter him. He returned to Ireland and walked off the plane.

From there he started Dairy Business, an Agricultural Science degree in University College Dublin. This is when I met Kevin, he instantly became one of the lads, and I am very proud to call him a friend. His passion for farming and life inspired me.

In the summer of 2014 he returned to New Zealand and managed a 900 cow dairy farm as part of work experience for our degree. To return to farming was phenomenal. To return to New Zealand showed massive courage, but to manage a major dairy farm in New Zealand is truly heroic stuff.

In the summer of 2014 Kevin organized a road trip to Alltech’s Global Dairy and Beef forum held in Deauville, France and I was lucky enough to be invited along. This involved getting a Ferry from Wexford to England, driving across England and getting to channel tunnel to France. Kevin drove while two others and I enjoyed ourselves, it was truly an unforgettable experience.

This week long road trip had it all, from drinking Kentucky bourbon, to talks from world leaders about challenges faced on-farm and included lively debates in an Irish bar (we decided it was Irish because it was painted green) called “The Dickens Bar” with a cork farmer about the optimal system, the problem with fragmented farms and at what price was rented land too dear. I think it’s safe to say we didn’t come to any conclusive answers.

Kevin is currently in his final few weeks of college and will be finishing his final exams in 6 weeks. From there the Irish farming community as a whole will get to benefit from his infectious enthusiasm and work ethic. The future is bright for Kevin and I’m sure he will be very successful at farming in the future.


Paddy is competing in Alltech’s Favorite Farmer Contest. The photo with the most likes on our Facebook page will win a trip to the Alltech REBELation in Lexington, KY. It’s an opportunity to meet farmers and other agriculture people from all over the world.

Vote for Paddy by liking the photo here.

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