Young people in agri: Tori Robson

Working alongside her parents and two brothers, Tori's days revolve around the family farm, as well as helping with the evening jobs on her partner Thomas's sheep and suckler farm near Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh.

“I always had a passion for farming. Dad and mum started with a herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus and, over the years, they were able to build the farm into where we are today. We started into the hens with 2 broiler units back in 2017, which have now been converted into free range laying hens. I was not always as keen with the cows but the hens and sheep are something that I have a big passion for.”

Having grown up watching her parents develop the family business, Tori has followed their example of hard work. She graduated from CAFRE Greenmount last year with a Bachelor's degree of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Professional Studies.

“Mum and dad have heavily influenced me in my farming journey, mum is the brains and the drive behind our farm. She sees all the opportunities we have and pushes to get them. Dad is definitely the muscle and the worker; he puts the time and effort into all elements of the farm. Mum and dad have led by example for our farm and, between us kids, we work alongside them.”

The family's move into poultry farming also helped Tori discover where her interests lay, opening up a career path she may not otherwise have considered.

“I probably would have been doing something a lot different today if we didn’t go into chickens, as we wouldn’t have grown the way we have today and there definitely wouldn’t be the work for all of us in the family.”

The family first ventured into poultry farming in 2017 with two Moy Park broiler units, before purchasing its first free-range laying hen site in 2019 and a second in 2021. The broiler units were then converted into laying hen accommodation in 2025.

“This has now left us with 3 sites with 80,000 free range laying hens. All of the sites are multi-tier systems with a packer and stacker for lifting the eggs.”

Having developed an interest in poultry through watching the broiler chicks grow, Tori became more involved in the business during the Covid-19 pandemic, when schools moved online and she began helping with the hand-packing of eggs.

“I enjoy the hands-on daily interaction with the birds, observing their health and behaviour especially in the summer days when they thoroughly enjoy being outside in the sun. Also knowing that we play a direct responsibility of providing the best welfare for the hens as they provide into the food chain.”

The daily hand-packing was eventually replaced by modern equipment, and following her graduation, Tori took on a full-time role in the business.

“Once I graduated, I took on a full time role, which entails daily egg lifts and ensuring the hens’ welfare is maintained every day.”

Her full-time role involves a varied routine, from checking the hens to helping with the wider farm work.

“A typical day for me is to start with walking the birds to lift any floor eggs and ensure the hens are happy and getting enough food and water. I then stand at the packer and pull off any dirty or cracked eggs. I then head to mum and dads house where I either get stuck into paper work, or end up out with the boys to work sheep or cattle. One final check of the hens to ensure all is okay before heading home, where I help Thomas with his final few jobs of the evening.”

While much of her day revolves around keeping the hens healthy and ensuring the egg collection process runs smoothly, Tori says there can still be unexpected challenges.

“No day is the same. Some days you have zero problems everything runs smoothly, the next day can be a smashing time when one wee piece of dirt comes down the egg belt and gets wedged somewhere it shouldn't lead to broken eggs and that can be a mess to clean.”

While the day-to-day running of the poultry brings its challenges, Tori says having the support and experience of older generations around her has been invaluable in learning how to deal with them.

“Learning from the older generation is a huge benefit. They have usually been through it all and had to deal with it, so they always have a solution.”

However, the learning goes both ways, with Tori also finding opportunities to share her knowledge as farming technology advances.

“There are days when I find myself trying to explain the new modern ways, as the technology is getting more and more advanced, especially when the whole system for the hens is computerised.”

Tori believes this ability to combine experience with new ideas is one of the biggest contributions young people can make to agriculture.

“Young people are definitely able to bridge that gap between traditional farming practices and the more modern ways,” she said.

“If a young person can get away with doing something in a machine, it will definitely be done. This also improves the efficiency of the farm, as things are done quicker and at a higher rate, just like the hand-packing compared with the packers that are in place today.”

Although Tori believes agriculture offers plenty of opportunities, she acknowledges that starting out in poultry can be more difficult.

“To build a career in poultry isn’t an easy option, and this is down to the ability to get planning permission approved for new poultry sites. However, in other industries yes there are loads of opportunities, if you are willing to work and put the effort in.”

Looking ahead, Tori is keen to continue building on the progress made by the family business, with ambitions to expand its livestock enterprises further.

Tori says that her future ambition is “to continue to grow the farm as a family.

“We are currently growing the sheep and cattle and would love the opportunity to grow the hens.”

For young people considering a career in agriculture, Tori believes a farming background is not essential, but a willingness to learn and work hard is what matters most.

“You don’t need to come from a farm to learn how to farm, a farmer who has been doing it for the past 30 years is still learning every day. As the world changes so do the ways in which we farm. So as long as you are willing to learn and work hard, then a career in farming is for you.”