Sunset on PJ Hickey's farm

PJ Hickey checking on his cows on the home farm at Sleady Castle, Ballinamult, Co Waterford. PJ’s cows will start calving any day now. He has 180 cows due to calf this spring and, based on his scanning results, he hopes to have 80% calved in the first six weeks and the remainder calved in 12 weeks. \ Donal O’Leary

Faces at Kingscourt Mart

John Hand from Corbeagh, Shercock, Co Cavan. \ Barry Cronin

Gavin Crowe and his father Vincent from Cavan. \ Barry Cronin

Joshua Nesbitt from Canningstown, Co Cavan. \ Barry Cronin

Drover Lauren Carolan wrangling in the ring. \ Barry Cronin

Calving begins on Fintan McSweeney's farm

Fintan McSweeney training some calves to a group feeder on the farm at Monataggart, Donoughmore, Co Cork. Fintan farms in partnership with his father Finbarr and brother Brian, all milking 250 cows. Calving started last week and all cows are due to calve over the next 12 weeks. The first six weeks will all be to a Friesian bull, with the rest in-calf to Aberdeen Angus-cross and Hereford. Cows will be left out to grass every day while the weather allows, with on/off grazing used to stick to the spring rotation planner. \ Donal O’Leary

Snow on Benbulben

Padraig Devaney and his daughter Joanne taking sheep off the snow-covered slopes of Benbulben, Co Sligo, in preparation for sale at the mart. \ Brian Farrell

Wednesday's show and sale at Baltinglass Mart

Auctioneer George Chandler with the overall show and sale champion at Baltinglass Mart. This Limousin bullock, born on 25 September 2015, weighed 815kg and sold for €1,680. \ Patrick Browne

Theresa and Ian Karney from Baltinglass. \ Patrick Browne

The last call for John McCarthy

John McCarthy (right) of Ardgehane, Timoleague, has been collecting milk for Barryroe Co-op for 36 years. John is pictured on his last call before retirement chatting with Patrick and Daniel Murphy from Skeaf, Timoleague, as he collects the first milk of the 2019 season from the Murphy farm. Patrick will calve 105 cows this spring, with 40 cows calved in the first few days. \ Donal O’Leary

Snowy conditions in Co Cavan

The snow didn’t stop these drystock animals outside Moynehall, Co Cavan, on Wednesday morning. \ Lorraine Teevan

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This week in photos: sales at Kilmallock and Raphoe marts

This week in photos: field work in January

This week in photos: January baling