Starting Monday, 17 August, on Déise Today, WLR’s Week on the Farm 2026 sees Kieran O’Connor taking to the roads across County Waterford to meet the farmers, food producers and rural businesses helping to drive the success of the region’s agricultural sector.
From liquid milk and fresh produce to contract rearing, Wagyu beef and showjumping, Kieran will shine a spotlight on the people behind some of Waterford’s most innovative and successful farming enterprises.
Join us each day as we meet the passionate individuals working across agriculture, food production, livestock and equestrian sport in Waterford, with thanks to ifac.
About ifac
Ifac is a team of expert accountants and financial advisers. They specialise in farming, food, and agribusiness sectors. They work at the heart of rural life across Ireland.
Their goal is to help clients be their very best.
With 50 years of experience, they bring deep industry knowledge and have 30 locations, making it easy to access their services. Need day-to-day support or help with succession planning?
Contact their team today to see how they can support your farm business.
Find out more here iFac.ie
Meet the Farmers and Producers
Monday: Kearney’s, Ballysaggart – Contract Rearing
James (Jimmy) and Michael Kearney operate a successful dairy replacement heifer contract-rearing enterprise on their 45-hectare farm in Ballysaggart, County Waterford, in partnership with local dairy farmer Adrian Casey. Transitioning away from a volatile calf-to-beef system, the Kearneys rear approximately 80 spring-born heifer calves annually.
For the Kearneys it provides stable, predictable monthly income and removes exposure to unpredictable beef market fluctuations.
For the dairy farmer, it relieves spring labor and calving pressures, minimizes winter feed/housing constraints, and helps satisfy local slurry storage and land-stocking regulations.
Kieran visits the farm to explore how contract rearing can offer practical benefits to both dairy farmers and rearers.
Tuesday: Meadowfresh Foods, Tallow
Based in Tallow, Meadowfresh Foods is a family-run food manufacturing, packing and supply business established in 1993 by farming brothers John and Mark Geary.
They produce and supply an unlimited range of top-quality, freshly prepared food products. Sustainable, locally grown, fresh crops are used, 80% of which are grown within 50km of their packing premises. All Irish potatoes, fruits, and vegetables are grown on Bord Bia Quality Assured farms.
Director John Geary says, “We live in a beautiful rural area surrounded by good farmland and good farmers. We developed the idea of preparing good quality local produce at a time when the market for potatoes was unreliable. We saw that certain industries needed time reduction in their food preparation.”Operations began on a small premise on West Street, Tallow, Co. Waterford. This was extended to meet expanding production in 1994 and again in 1996.
“We settled in to a modern 32,000 sq ft production facility at Youghal Road, Tallow, in 2002. We also grow our own potato crop, varieties which are particularly suited to the fast food fresh chip market.”
Today over 150 products are processed, packed, and distributed daily by a staff of 50.
Kieran goes behind the scenes to discover how a local family farming business grew into a major fresh produce supplier.
Wednesday: Paul Power, Ballygunner – Liquid Milk Production
Pail Power and family have been producing and providing fresh, liquid milk intended for direct human consumption rather than for processing into storable manufactured goods like butter, cheese, or milk powder now for 3 generations.
This all-year-round production is unlike standard seasonal dairy farming that peaks in spring. Liquid milk suppliers must maintain a consistent, continuous supply of fresh milk 365 days a year, requiring complex herd management and winter milk production.
Kieran visits the Power family farm in Ballygunner to find out what it takes to maintain a successful all-year-round dairy enterprise.
Thursday: Ballylawn Stud, Kill – Francis Connors
Ballylawn Stud is a prominent Irish equestrian and showjumping facility located in Kill, Co. Waterford. It is run by the renowned international showjumper and horseman Francis Connors and his wife, Helen Connors.
Francis Connors is celebrated as one of Ireland’s finest horsemen and competitive showjumpers, alongside Maura Kelly and family.
The core focus of Ballylawn Stud is professional showjumping, producing and training young green horses, breaking sport horses, and preparing high-calibre entries for national and international sales and competitions.
The farm regularly functions as a major competition venue, hosting opening legs and rounds for high-profile circuits like the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster SJI Grand Prix and the Waterford/Tipperary Showjumping Ireland (SJI) leagues.
Francis Connors frequently competes from the home soil at Ballylawn, establishing a strong competitive standard with top-tier finishes in provincial and national grand prix events.
Friday: West Waterford Wagyu – Jack Skeehan
Jack Skeehan is a young dairy farmer who has developed a successful Wagyu beef enterprise in West Waterford.
West Waterford Wagyu is a third-generation family farm rooted in the heart of Touraneena, Co. Waterford. For generations, the family has cared for these lands, passing down a deep respect for nature, livestock, and the craft of producing exceptional Wagyu beef. Framed by the rolling hills of West Waterford and sweeping views towards the Comeragh Mountains, the farm is shaped by the scenery that defines this beautiful corner of Ireland.
The clean air, rich pasture, and peaceful countryside create the ideal environment for raising Wagyu cattle to the highest possible standard. All their animals are grass-born and grass-raised on an outdoor grazing system, living naturally on lush West Waterford pasture.
This slow, pasture-driven approach allows the flavours of the countryside to shine through in the meat – rich, clean, and unmistakably local.
Week on the Farm 2026
Tune into Déise Today each morning from Monday, 17 August, as Kieran O’Connor meets the farmers, producers and rural businesses making a difference across County Waterford.
WLR’s Week on the Farm 2026 – with thanks to IFAC.
