2025 Positive Farmers Speakers
John Maher
Teagasc, Moorepark.
Specialist - Grass 10 Manager
Research Interests
•
Heavy Soils Programme
•
PastureBase Ireland
•
Grazing Management
Fergal Coughlan
Farm manager, Clonakilty Agricultural
College
Fergal began working in Teagasc
Moorepark in 2008 and took up his
current position as farm manager at
Teagasc Clonakilty Agriculture College
in 2013. His complex role involves
running cutting edge research trials
to help increase the efficiency of dairy
production systems, including extensive
trials on clover usage.
Rhidian Glyn
A new entrant farmer from Wales
Rhidian’s story highlighted that with
hard work and real determination to
succeed in the industry, anything is
possible. “It’s been a busy few years,”
explained Rhidian. “In nine years I
have taken on a farm business
tenancy, got married, moved house,
had three children and finished
working off the farm.
His four main aims are to continue
with a grass-based system, to ensure
a productive and profitable business;
reduce the farm’s reliance on subsidy
payments; become income sufficient
so he doesn’t have to work off farm;
and maintain a good work-life balance
with his three young children.