:format(webp)/f/122463/4240x2832/89999d8ee2/david-heraty-succession_farm-report.jpg)
How unplanned succession led to sheep-farm success
David Heraty lost his father at a tragically young age but has gone on to create an operation that is a fitting tribute to him.
A finalist in the 2025 Young Farmer of the Year Awards and winner of the Land Mobility Award, David exemplifies how careful planning, innovation and sound financial advice can turn adversity into long-term success.
This article features in our Irish Farm Report 2026.
Discover more insights like this from Ifac's eighth annual survey capturing the experiences, concerns, and ambitions of farm families across Ireland – Download Now!
David Heraty’s farming story is one of resilience, innovation and the lasting impact of succession planning done too late (but with a successful result).
In 2012, aged 21 years, David was studying product design when his father died suddenly, aged 54, leaving no Will in place.
Overnight, David and his family were faced not only with personal loss but with complex succession, legal and financial challenges that could have jeopardised the future of their family farm.
Reflecting on that experience, David now makes a strong appeal to young farmers to address succession early.
“I teach the Green Cert, which has a module on succession, and I always say that succession is about early communication,” he says. “I always encourage young farmers to ask their parents outright if they have a Will and what their intentions are.”
While ownership of the farm initially transferred to his mother, David quickly became the driving force behind the business, before taking full ownership himself in 2022.
Over time, he transformed a 120-ewe operation on 45 hectares into a highly efficient and diversified sheep enterprise.
Today, David runs 300 ewes, finishes up to 1,200 lambs annually through a purpose-built shed, and uses short-term leasing through the Land Mobility scheme to maximise output. His system is built around tight turnarounds, maximising grass utilisation and controlling costs, with no hired labour and significant investment in automation.
:format(webp)/f/122463/2300x1536/a22bf09a0e/david-heraty-4.JPG)
Beyond core sheep production, David has successfully diversified into shearing contracting, a business he developed after completing a shearing course early in his farming career. “I did a shearing course early on and immediately fell in love with it,” he explains.
Today, he and his team shear up to 25,000 sheep each year. He has also identified opportunities in premium wool production through breeding New Zealand Romney sheep, working closely with Irish luxury wool company Eriu, and supplies the Connemara Lamb brand, benefiting from its PGI status and added value per animal.
David’s progressive approach has earned national recognition, including being named a finalist in the 2025 Young Farmer of the Year Awards and winning the Land Mobility Award.
Alongside business growth, future planning remains a priority. Working closely with his local ifac accountant, Donna Halleran, David continues to explore tax planning options and long-term business structures to ensure his farms' sustainability.
Despite concerns around rising input costs and changes to farm supports, David remains optimistic about the future of the sheep sector. “We’ve got a lot of marginal land in the West, and we’ve built a resilient sheep flock that – with good breeding – yields both wool and meat for relatively low input costs,” he says. “Overall, I’m confident in my ability to provide a good living for my family of three young children — and yes, I have a Will made.”
Read David Heraty’s full story in ifac’s Farm Report 2026.
:format(webp)/f/122463/2300x1536/e3acf1fe34/succession-outlook.JPG)
This article features in our Irish Farm Report 2026.
Discover more insights like this from Ifac's eighth annual survey capturing the experiences, concerns, and ambitions of farm families across Ireland – Download Now!
:format(webp)/f/122463/1600x1600/fb5236d080/ifac_profile_service_pages_philip-o-connor.jpg)