Ed Payne

Biography

Originally from Co. Galway Ed Payne is now living in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon with his wife Jennifer and two young children Benjamin and Aaron. Alongside his Dad, Ed runs the family farm which he is currently in the process of changing from a suckler, beef and sheep enterprise to one completely dairy orientated. Ed currently employs one full time labour unit, Aidan Brosnan, with seasonal staff being brought in as required.

Ed is current chairperson of the West Awake discussion group, was awarded the Teagasc and FBD student of the year 2014 and is also a keen cyclist and runner.

Aware of the positive impact within a business that a good team of people can have, he has chosen to study “Human Resources, framework and support needed to assist Irish dairy farmers into the future” Ed realises the rising demand for labour in the Irish agricultural sector, but also the lack of available knowledge, tools and information to employers and employees alike.

As the average dairy herd size grows in the coming years the idea of employment and human resources will be one that many Irish famers, whether they are becoming an employer for the first time, a farm growing a large team of employees or just needing to understanding the best approach to seasonal staff, will all have to become more educated in this area.

Ed will study how other countries and expanding industries have already been successful in delivering this resource and how best those practices would be applied in Ireland