The farm: “I keep 45 dairy cows, 45 pedigree Herefords and 85 dairy-bred beef cattle on 150ac. My land rests on both sides of the border and is divided by the River Blackwater.”
Brexit: “Luckily, we have always kept the farms on each side of the border separate, so the UK’s exit should be a smooth enough transition for us. The biggest concern I had was border checkpoints, but thankfully they won’t return.”
Life goes on: “I don’t foresee too many interruptions now 1 January has arrived. To be honest, I’m just glad to see it done and dusted regardless of what changes we face. Life goes on and it’s time now for a change of topic.”
Dairy: “I milk all year round with the help of my wife Theola and mother Dorothy. We supply the Lakeland Dairies site in Monaghan town. Winter milk prices haven’t been bad this year so far.”
Glaslough Herefords: “I keep 25 pedigree cows south of the border and 20 on another farm which marches me in the north. The Glaslough Herefords herd was established by my late father Samuel back in 1951.”
Passion: “Dairy farming is my 9-to-5, but pedigree breeding is my passion. The buzz of showing cattle and getting the top prize at a sale is what it’s all about. I take great pride in the animals that leave my farm.”
Selling cattle: “The year that was 2020 was different, to say the least, and brought unique challenges. With pedigree sales called off in the spring, I was lucky that I could rely on repeat customers to sell my bulls.”
Year ahead: “This week, I’m bringing in the last of weanlings from a dry part of the farm. The cattle will be back out in the second week of April, all going well. I’m hopeful for a good year ahead – the worst is behind us.”
Read more
My Farming Week: Katie McCarthy, Fustane, Kenmare, Co Kerry
My Farming Week: Trevor Deacon, Bunclody, Co Wexford
My Farming Week: Stuart Henry, Scribbagh, Garrison, Co Fermanagh
The farm: “I keep 45 dairy cows, 45 pedigree Herefords and 85 dairy-bred beef cattle on 150ac. My land rests on both sides of the border and is divided by the River Blackwater.”
Brexit: “Luckily, we have always kept the farms on each side of the border separate, so the UK’s exit should be a smooth enough transition for us. The biggest concern I had was border checkpoints, but thankfully they won’t return.”
Life goes on: “I don’t foresee too many interruptions now 1 January has arrived. To be honest, I’m just glad to see it done and dusted regardless of what changes we face. Life goes on and it’s time now for a change of topic.”
Dairy: “I milk all year round with the help of my wife Theola and mother Dorothy. We supply the Lakeland Dairies site in Monaghan town. Winter milk prices haven’t been bad this year so far.”
Glaslough Herefords: “I keep 25 pedigree cows south of the border and 20 on another farm which marches me in the north. The Glaslough Herefords herd was established by my late father Samuel back in 1951.”
Passion: “Dairy farming is my 9-to-5, but pedigree breeding is my passion. The buzz of showing cattle and getting the top prize at a sale is what it’s all about. I take great pride in the animals that leave my farm.”
Selling cattle: “The year that was 2020 was different, to say the least, and brought unique challenges. With pedigree sales called off in the spring, I was lucky that I could rely on repeat customers to sell my bulls.”
Year ahead: “This week, I’m bringing in the last of weanlings from a dry part of the farm. The cattle will be back out in the second week of April, all going well. I’m hopeful for a good year ahead – the worst is behind us.”
Read more
My Farming Week: Katie McCarthy, Fustane, Kenmare, Co Kerry
My Farming Week: Trevor Deacon, Bunclody, Co Wexford
My Farming Week: Stuart Henry, Scribbagh, Garrison, Co Fermanagh
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: