Laois organic farmer, Kevin Scully, who is well known for his award-winning Merry Mill organic gluten-free oats business, has decided to swap his Wagyu beef enterprise for a health and wellness space on the farm which will launch this year.
“Letting go of the Wagyu cattle has not been an easy decision. Cattle have been a part of my life since I took over the family farm in the 1990s, and I’ve spent over a decade carefully breeding Wagyu,” he said.
However, with The Merry Mill growing rapidly, the demands of running both enterprises have become unsustainable.
“There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to keep juggling everything,” Scully said.
“I’ll admit, I’ve always found reasons to keep the cattle – perhaps even been a bit addicted to them — but raising them comes with a significant responsibility.
“They need daily care and attention, and that kind of commitment requires time, our most valuable asset.
“Working seven days a week isn’t sustainable. At some point, it starts to feel like giving up a living to make a living.”
That is the reason Scully decided to take a new direction with a new business idea.
“We’re going to invest the money from the Wagyu into a health and wellness space on the farm,” the Vicarstown man outlined.
He first got into Wagyu cattle in 2014 because of his interest in high-quality beef when he was looking for ways to diversify and add value to the farm.
“Over the years, I built up a herd of roughly 40 cattle, initially using AI [artificial insemination] to breed heifers and since sourcing a purebred Wagyu bull.
“It was a rewarding experience but as The Merry Mill grew, it became clear that I had to make a choice between my two passions,” Scully added.
“We’re designing our new health and wellness initiative as a space for wellness enthusiasts and people seeking relaxation,” he said.
“We are putting in a sauna, plunge pool and outdoor space.”
Meanwhile, the family-run Merry Mill is thriving.
“We’ve seen huge growth since winning the EU organic awards, receiving Bord Bia Origin Green gold membership and expanding into new shops across the country,” Scully continued.
“The focus now is on continuing to grow sustainably and expanding our product line.
“This shift allows us to dedicate our time and energy to creating something that benefits both our community and our family’s future.”