Kansas Team Profiles Part 2

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Team Y

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Location: County Cavan, Ireland. I am a Sustainable Agriculture graduate from Dundalk Institute of Technology/Ballyhaise Agricultural College. I come from a Suckler beef background in County Cavan, and I have spent some time working in America and New Zealand on large scale dairy farms, as well as previously working as a college lecturer.

I am currently completing a PhD based in Teagasc Grange with University College Dublin. My project is evaluating lifetime enteric methane emissions from the suckler beef herd. The aim of my project is to accurately quantify ‘lifetime’ enteric methane emissions from the suckler herd and there is also a key focus on evaluating management strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions, including pasture type, silage quality, feed regimes, and animal genetics.

At home, I am involved in the day to day running of our suckler beef herd. We are both spring and autumn calving and all progeny are sold as weanlings. Alongside our commercial cow herd we also have some pedigree Hereford, Limousin and Charolais cows.

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‍My name is Sarah Murray, and I am 22 years old from Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland. I recently completed a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Agriculture and have a strong passion for livestock farming, with a particular interest in cattle breeding and nutrition. I have been actively involved on my family’s farm from a young age, working with both pedigree Herefords and commercial suckler cows.

My enthusiasm for the Hereford breed has grown over the years through hands on experience in breeding and showing cattle at both local and national levels. I feel very honoured to represent Ireland at the World Hereford Conference Youth Competition, a unique and exciting opportunity to engage with like-minded young farmers from around the world. I look forward to deepening my understanding of Hereford genetics, breeding strategies, and international agricultural systems. Agriculture has played a central role in shaping my identity, and I am eager to grow both personally and professionally through this experience.

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I am 19 years old, from north Tipperary. We run a dairy calf to beef system. Alongside this we keep a small number of pedigree Hereford cows under the Scarragh Hereford prefix. I first got involved with Herefords in 2016 when I got my first heifer as a Christmas present. Each year I aim to improve the calves being bred with careful selection of AI sires and aim to have one that can win a few red rosettes. I completed my leaving cert last year, 2024 and have gone on to study agricultural science in UCC. I have completed one year to date.

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My name is Mark Hyland, a third-generation Hereford breeder from County Leitrim.Our  herd, known as Hillock Herefords, was established in 1950. I come from a family suckler farm, with a herd primarily made up of Limousin cows, while also rearing Angus and Hereford calves sourced from the dairy sector.I’m currently entering my final year of studies in Sustainable Agriculture at Dundalk Institute of Technology and Ballyhaise Agricultural College. I’ve always had a strong passion for breeding high-quality Hereford cattle, with a particular focus on selecting top genetics. This interest has led me to actively compete in both local and national shows since 2016.I’m honoured to be representing the Irish Hereford breed at the World Hereford Conference. This opportunity will allow me to broaden my knowledge of the breed on a global scale and continue to contribute to the future of Irish Herefords.

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