I farm: “200 acres of our own land and 100 acres of rented land. The rented land is in one block close to Monaghan town with our own 200 acres located at the farm.”

Dairy: “We are currently milking 90 cows. When I’m not nursing, I do the milking for Daddy so he can get a break or go to the mart. The cows are performing well with protein of 3.27% and fat of 3.65%. Our calving season begins around November each year, with 80% spring calves and 20% autumn calves. Our processor is Lakeland Dairies. With the current milk price, it’s tough for farmers.”

Replacements: “We breed and rear all our own replacements, all pure-bred Holstein Friesian cattle. It’s mostly AI that we use on the farm but we currently have one Holstein Friesian bull that does the cleaning up.”

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Showing: “I love showing. I usually bring the animals in in January or February to start getting them ready for shows. I wash them, get them lean, and put them on a hay and protein diet. You build a relationship with the animal.”

Breeders’ club: “I’m a member of the Breffni/Oriel Holstein Friesian Breeders’ Club. I’m treasurer and PRO for the club. The society has been very successful recently. Some of our members won at the national championships in Kilkenny.”

This week: “We’re trying to get the second cut done. We’re also trying to organise the cows before we go down to Tralee, getting paddocks ready and other jobs like that.”

Rose of Tralee: “We are looking forward to Tralee – it’ll be a holiday for us all. As farmers, it is rare to get away so we’ll make the most of the week. I’ll be heading down to Tralee on Friday. I suppose I feel prepared until I go to pack my outfits. I’m just going to take it all in my stride and relax and enjoy it.”

Family: “There’s my dad Jim, mum Iris and my two brothers, Steven, 26, and Adrian, 19.”

Quotable quote: “It’s great growing up on a farm and being a country girl. I suppose the worst thing about it is wanting to marry a big farmer!”