A Herd of Many Names

Nestled in the very scenic Cork countryside, just outside the village of Ballynoe is the Sheehan Family Farm, home to Batt and Ger Sheehan and their two children, Hazel (6) and Nathan (4)  and two high-energy dogs, Brownie and Buzz.  Ger works in nearby Little Island, leaving the running of the farm to Batt and Batt is the fourth generation of Sheehans to farm the land at Ballynoe. Situated on 150 acres, with picturesque woodland adjacent, and impressive views of the region’s rolling hills and valleys, the setting is peaceful. Rain in Ireland is invariably an issue for farmers but the relatively gentle Munster climate means that the Sheehan Farm cows are outside, grazing for most of the year. 

The farm has been certified Organic since 2007, but the two year conversion process began in 2005. It was a big decision for Batt. “Farming was becoming increasingly difficult at that time and we were left with three choices – double up in size to benefit from scale, get out of farming altogether or go organic. For me, organic was the obvious choice and I realised that I had been thinking about it for some time. I was concerned about the environment and I knew that organic was a less intensive approach. I wouldn’t go back.’

The cows calve in the Autumn to ensure a good supply of winter milk and this offers some very welcome quieter periods during the year. Nevertheless, farming means a demanding schedule and Batt himself milks the cows, twice a day in the farm’s milking parlour, seven days a week. Milking alone takes 4 hours a day, every day.

Life on a busy organic farm brings lots of challenges but for Hazel and Nathan, the biggest job is naming all 50 cows. The herd, which is largely British Friesian, cross bred with some Norwegian Red, features some traditional names like Daisy, Buttercup and Flower, but also some more unusual names like Wire, Trough and Kit Kat, courtesy of these two very imaginative children. Brimful of enthusiasm for the farm and its animals, Hazel and Nathan get stuck in with their dad, helping to feed the newest generation of calves.