Flynn sisters look to future in farming
The Flynn family farm in Killucan is in safe hands as twins Emma and Rebecca are well on their way in their agricultural studies.
The sisters have much more in common that their birth date. With Rebecca in the final year of her veterinary degree in UCD and Emma just graduated in Agricultural Science from WIT, they look set to one day join forces to take over the family farm.
“I think we’d love to take over the family farm together in the future and maybe sell a few machines for the family business, Killucan Farm Machinery,” Rebecca told the Westmeath Examiner.
Earlier this year, the sisters proved they can pool resources together when they bought their own horse, ‘Sparky’.
“When we both went off to college, we had to take a brief break from horse-riding as we weren’t at home.”
“We always said we would get back competing again after we finished college, so we joined forces and bought a young horse in January of this year, in which we hope to compete in the eventing discipline in the future,” said Rebecca.
Along with their studies, the Flynn sisters have had ample experience working on the farm and Rebecca said that Covid-19 gave them the chance to get even more.
“Online college from home had its benefits in terms of getting hands-on experience in farms as both Emma and I worked on a dairy farm throughout the calving season at weekends this spring, which was great experience and one we might not have got if we had in-person lectures as online college was a bit more flexible,” Rebecca said.
She added, “I was lucky enough to pop in and out of the local veterinary practice in the evenings after online lectures to get some experience too which was a great help.”
Emma also described some of the experience she has through her studies so far in UCD. “I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy every minute of the farm work experience – there was nothing I didn’t like.”
“From third year onwards, we are required to do clinical work experience within veterinary practices during the summer and Easter breaks,” Emma said.
So, with all that experience in their pockets, the sisters have big hopes for their future, and they know their goals.
When Rebecca graduates in 2022, she hopes to work either as a mixed vet or equine vet in the future.
“Cows and horses are my favourites so a future working with them would be great,” she said.
Emma, meanwhile, wants to dip her toe into the business world as she has now taken on a Food Business Strategy masters: “I always wanted to expand my knowledge on the business side of the agricultural industry, and am hoping to work in the agri-food industry in the future,” she said.