Harvester driver, Kathleen Denn, is gearing up for the ‘Grass Women’ record-busting attempt at bringing in silage.

It will take place at this year’s silage event in the grounds of Mount Melleray Abbey, Waterford, on Saturday, August 19.

Denn runs a 125ac dairy farm, with a small amount of beef, along with her dad, James, at Cappoquin.

“I have always been machinery mad,” said Denn, who is married to contractor, Martin O’Grady. “Once I turned 16, sports were forgotten about and I just wanted to concentrate on farming and machinery.

“I work part-time for a vet, Nicholas Connors, in Dungarvan, and used to take holidays to work on silage,” she said.

“John O’Brien, who runs the silage events to raise funds for charity, approached me about taking part in the women’s silage event, which has proven to be a huge hit.

“It has just grown and grown since it was first announced. It’s absolutely fantastic and hopefully it’s going to start a trend.”

Women in farming

As a machinery enthusiast and female farmer, Denn is used to turning heads but finds people have grown used to the idea.

Years ago, people were shocked to see me do things like load grain, but now they are more used to seeing female farmers driving and using machinery.

“I know through my work in the vets that there are a lot more women in farming. The silage event is a great way of promoting the abilities of female farmers. There is a sense of equality now, and the whole area of agriculture has really opened up for women.”

Denn said she would be happy for her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Ellie, to follow in her footsteps. “Farming is a great lifestyle. You have to work hard to earn your living, but you have all the benefits of being your own boss.

“You can have time for family and it’s a healthy way of life. My niece has grown up with us on the farm and has a real love for it. Ellie enjoys playing with tractors and nearly jumps out of the car when we meet one on the road.”

Denn said she helped out her husband in his work before Ellie was born, but now she is more focused on the farm. “I used to drive his harvester.

Now, I’m more actively involved in the farm where we have mainly Deutz-Fahr machinery. I milk the cows in the evenings and fit in a bit of rugby too.

Organiser O’Brien said there is now a waiting list for participation in the silage event. “The whole thing has gone beyond my wildest dreams. I never realised it would take off to this extent. I’m inundated with women of all ages wanting to take part and help out in any way.

“All the participants are stars in my eyes. There will be spot prizes on the day, but the women won’t be competing against each other. They will all be equal,” he said.

“Years ago, the work of women in Irish farming was unrecognised. It is being recognised now,” O’Brien added.

A Guinness Book of Records application has been submitted for the occasion – which will include a truck show and country music, with funds raised going to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.