I farm: “Roughly around 100ac of tillage and 60ac of forestry in Rathangan, Co Kildare. The land itself is quite good. The soil is very light.”

Crops: “There are 20ac of oilseed rape, 40ac of gluten-free oats and the rest is all winter barley.”

This week: “Thankfully, all the crops are in the ground at the moment. There are a few jobs that need to be done. The oilseed rape needs its last nitrogen top-up as soon as possible and I still have to get the plant growth regulator out on my winter barley.”

Weather: “The ground conditions at the moment are mixed. Some of the soil is fabulous, but some of the heavier ground is taking a big pull to get through as it is still wet.”

Contracting: “I am sowing spring malting barley for a neighbour at the moment. Next week, I hope to sow spring oilseed rape for my brother, depending on the weather. The crop needs a nice fine till on the seedbed and moisture is also needed in the soil for the pre-emergence spray to work.”

Harvest 2020: ”I hope to be harvesting winter barley in the second week of July. The oilseed rape will be due to be harvest in early August and the gluten-free oats will be harvested around late July or early August.”

COVID-19: “When I am out contracting I just have to be very careful. Instead of getting down and talking to the farmer, I would just call them instead. We are not in contact with each other and I bring my own lunch to avoid going into the house.”

Ploughing: “I am the Kildare director of the National Ploughing Association. We had a very good All-Ireland last year, with three first-place winners in the family.”

Family: “Myself and my wife Mary have four children, Denis, Kieran, Brian and Maria. They are all interested in farming.”