The farm: “I farm with my wife Ann and our two sons, Jim, 14, and Tom, 11, at Castlecove on the Ring of Kerry. We farm 300 acres altogether, 100 of which are rented and the rest is owned. Most of the ground is rough grazing. There are about 60 acres of good grazing ground but it’s spread out. Ann works off farm but everyone lends a hand on the farm.”

Cattle: “I have 40 suckler cows. The herd is mainly made up of Charolais and Limousins with a few Simmentals and Shorthorns as well. Suckler weanlings are sold in the autumn, at either Caherciveen or Kenmare Mart.”

Calving: “I’ve been fiddling around with a bit of autumn calving but I’m going to move to strictly calving between mid-March and mid-May in future. My cows are out wintered on rougher grazing with a bit of meal.”

Dairy calves: “I buy about 40 suckler calves. These would be Friesian bulls and Angus or Hereford bulls and heifers. I’d sell them as six- or 18-month-old stores depending on their condition.”

Sheep: “I’d winter about 100 dry sheep made up of ewes and store lambs. I’d mainly hold the ewes to send to the mountain in summer. I’d always put my quota of sheep to the mountain every summer. A lot of the shareholders on the mountain are dormant as they’re not interested in sheep any more.”

This week: “I’ve been sorting fences and getting fertiliser out. Cows are calving at the moment. They are near the yard and are getting hay.”

Off-farm: “I’m involved in the GAA. I’m a referee and I’m also PRO of the South Kerry board. We see rural depopulation here first-hand. There are club amalgamations on every turn of the road.”

Quotable quote: “The greatest concern I’d have is how long we can keep going producing below cost. You won’t find younger farmers in south Kerry. The likes of myself won’t be recommending it.”