'Farming is the life for me' - Rose escort
While many young people are not afraid to let go of the family farm, feeling that there are easier ways to make a living, Jack Skehan, an escort in this year's Rose of Tralee, is confident that farming is the life for him.
The 28 year-old returned from Australia last February to run the family dairy and beef farm outside Dungarvan in west Co. Waterford.
He has a Wagyu enterprise, direct selling through his website and Instagram.
Having studied agricultural science, followed by a master's degree in chemical science, he worked in the US, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and all over Ireland in milk plants.
Skehan always had a passion for farming and spent years building up his Wagyu venture which he planned to run, working alongside his father. Sadly his dad, Seamus, got sick last August and died in September.
Skehan said: "I didn't expect to be farming on my own so soon and last spring was Armageddon.
"It was my first spring farming on my own and it was Murphy's law - everything that could go wrong did.
"A calf feeder broke down for a week and all the calves got sick. A lot of small things happened. It was a slog."
Wagyu
However, he ploughed ahead with his Wagyu plans and the venture has taken off.
"It's flying. I only started the direct selling a month ago and sold 500kg of meat in a month.
"When I was at the Rose of Tralee bootcamp in Dingle I got a great boost of confidence from the lads," he said.
According to Skehan, people want to buy better meat and he feels there is "such a buzz" about Wagyu.
"I started taking pre-orders on Wednesday and reckon it will all be gone this weekend," he explained.
"All our animals are born and reared on the farm. I got my first calf five-and-a-half years ago.
"It's been a long road but it's been worth it," said Skehan, who keeps around 80 Wagyu of all ages including pedigree Wagyu, also milking 100 cows.
Farming life
While the Waterford man, who has three sisters, was happy to keep the family farm going, he said that a lot of his contemporaries have walked away.
"Work/life balance is a big issue and there are so many rules and regulations in farming now.
"Everything is going up in cost. The only thing that's going the opposite way is the prices we're getting. Unless you love farming, you can begin to hate it.
"You have to put up with a lot and miss a lot. During the summer it's the best job in the world but when things go wrong, it can test your patience," said Jack who is part of the Irish Farmers' Association's Ready to Lead programme.
He said his mother, Breda, a retired nurse, is a great help and looks after the calves.
"The maternity ward here keeps her busy. I wouldn't have got through that first spring without her," he added.
Rose of Tralee escort
A family friend is in charge while he carries out his escort duties in in Kerry.
The keen sportsman - Skehan plays hurling, football, racquet ball and Australian football - is enjoying his stint as Rose escort.
"I said I would make it my holidays. You're mixing with so many people that you wouldn't have before," he said.
"I can see how people make friends for life here. It's the roses' big week. I'm just delighted to be a part of it."
- This year's Rose of Tralee festival will run from August 14-18.
