I farm: “Alongside my wife Bernadette and our son James in Doonbeg Co Clare. We milk 110 spring-calving Holstein Friesian cows on a heavy farm, with peat accounting for around 40% of the soil.”

The herd: “We rear our calves through to yearling stores and retain all our own replacements. The herd is currently producing 20l at 4.7% fat and 4% protein. The cows are receiving 2.4kg of a 14% protein concentrate.”

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This week: “It’s something of a tidying up week. We finished reseeding and drainage work on some of the peat ground and continue preparing an area for a solar energy unit.”

Renewable energy: “The new system includes 63 solar panels, with a capacity of 29kW, alongside 20kW of battery storage. The panels are installed and this week we are laying concrete for the battery unit to finish the job.”

Grass: “Our grazing rotation is currently running at 24 to 25 days. We intend to extend it to around 27 or 28 days, but that is probably as far as we will go. We are concentrating on grazing paddocks out properly and will introduce silage while milking.”

Weather: “The late spring meant a poor start to the year, but the dry summer generally suited our heavy ground. Grass production recovered during July and August. Growth fell below 40kg on just one occasion, so we introduced silage and concentrates for about a week.”

Reseeding: “We grazed one reseeded paddock for the first time this week and another for the second time. It’s great to see the cow’s content and to see a return from the work gone into them.”

Water quality: “We are completing measures through the Farming for Water EIP. A settlement tank is due to be installed in the yard next month. The work is focused on separating clean and dirty water and improving water quality.”

Looking ahead: “We have no concerns about winter fodder supplies. The heifers are due to be scanned next week. The Irish Open is taking place this week and is brilliant for Doonbeg. The golf club is hugely important in our community.”