I farm: “100 acres in west Cork. I have 115 cattle. There are 50 purebred suckler Simmental cows and their progeny and replacements. Our pedigree herd is 100% AI. This eliminates the need to have bulls on the farm.”

This week: “We have just finished making second-cut silage and some hay, which is looking fairly good. The first cut went very well for us. We also planted seven acres of Redstart, which I plan to strip graze from the 1 December with the calved cows. The cows that are near calving will be put near the farmyard as calving is due to start on 1 September.”

Showing: “Last Sunday was the Tullamore Show where the Irish Simmental Society held 13 of its 17 national titles. Mohona Simmentals had a very good day at Tullamore where Mohona G Beauty won the reserve national female yearling title, while Mohona Flight was placed fourth in the intermediate heifer class of eight, being the youngest heifer in the class.’’

Breeding: “We’ve had great success breeding and showing in recent years. Last year, we bred and sold the highest-priced Simmental male at the November Premier sale. The bull was exported to Scotland.”

B&B: “Lake House B&B is run by my wife, Susan. We have had people stay here from all around the globe along with Irish tourists as well. Most people are first-generation farmers and they can reminisce on times gone by as they take in the farm grounds and backdrop of west Cork.’’

Family: “There’s my wife Susan and our four grown-up children, Elaine (31), Garry (29), Rachel (28) and Nigel (23). We also have two grandchildren Simon and Andrew and of course our boxer dog Rocky.”

Quotable quote: “I’m not confident in the future of my farm with current prices and markets. I couldn’t encourage any of my children to keep farming on a full-time basis. Farm succession on many farms is very uncertain.”