I farm: “250 acres between owned and rented land for tillage along with 45 acres of grassland.”

Ewes: “I have 220 Ewes. The flock comprises of Charollais, Texel and Suffolk crossed ewes. All of which are mated with a Charollais ram. Lambs are finished off grass and all were gone by 15 October this year. I am out-wintering the ewes on a crop of forage rape sown into stubbles after spring barley and they are doing well at the minute. Lambing is due to start on 5 February.”

Tillage: “I sow mostly spring barley, oats and maize. This year, I decided to keep all my own barley. I invested in a new Kelvin Cave Bruiser Roller. The quality of the Rolled Barley is second to none, farmers have noticed it themselves. I’m trying to offer competitive prices for farmers whilst also trying to make a few bob for myself at the same time. Basic low-cost rations are selling quite well at the moment.”

Contracting: “I have been contracting for the past 25 years. It ties in well with the work I do for myself. I carry out a large range of services from pit silage, round baling, whole crop and maize cutting, ploughing and harvesting. I have a good team of lads and without them I wouldn’t be able to do near as much work.”

Off-Season: “We have started servicing the machinery and hope to get the harvester, mowers and balers ready for next season’s grass by 15 January. It’s easy to put jobs like this on the back burner but before you know it the phone starts ringing again.”

Family: “I’m married to Claire and we have five children; Sarah (18), Niamh (15), Eoin (13), Cathal (10) and Sinéad (8). Claire and the children have a great interest in the farm and help out especially during the lambing season.”

Quotable Quote: “Tillage is a very risky game. We as farmers put in all the inputs and gamble with the weather, then to be left with such tight margins, it’s tough.”