Peter Varley

Job title: Buildings and environment specialist.

Career highlight: Being internationally award winning. Twice!

Life highlight: Organising Christmas Party 2015 with Maza Phelo.

First impressions of the Irish Farmers Journal: It was a little surreal, the paper was in my house since I can remember and walking around the office and meeting some of the main journalists was strange. I spent almost 20 years looking at their headshots...

Person you most admire in the ag industry: The tillage editor here, Andy Doyle, is an encyclopaedia of information and is always willing to give good advice.

Who’s the most craic in the Irish Farmers Journal: I’m not sure who is the most craic – but the news editor, Patrick Donohoe is definitely the least craic.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I went through a lot of phases, from wanting to be a farmer, to a builder, a developer, an architect, and back to a farmer. I never really considered being a journalist, but I am happy how it turned out and I also farm on the side – best of both worlds.

Most common thing people say to you about working in the Irish Farmers Journal: Sure, you must know, you work in the Journal.

Your fave part of the job: Travelling around the country meeting farmers and looking at new sheds. I also like the opportunity of solving problems for farmers.

Your least fave part of the job: Deadlines.

Best article you’ve ever read in the Irish Farmers Journal: Not sucking up to my boss, but the time the IFJ/IFA exposed the very poor beef-processing conditions and farming practices in Brazil, which resulted in a ban in imports was, for me, excellent journalism. It displayed to me at the time the change journalists can instigate and the power of the Irish Farmers Journal.

Aisling Hussey

Job title: Social media editor

Finest hour as a journalist: Getting a story about the Kardashians into the Irish Farmers Journal.

In another life Aisling would be: a private investigator.

Quotable quote: LeSigh.

Caveat emptor: NOTHING gets past this lady.

Aisling Hussey’s nickname: The Hussey.

Interesting fact: Her parents almost called her Iona, so her name would have been I Own A Hussey.

Most difficult question you were asked in your interview to get in to the Irish Farmers Journal: The then-news editor Pat O’Keeffe asked if I would be comfortable writing about farming matters such as Schmallenberg (I lied and said yes, of course).

Who’s the most craic in the Irish Farmers Journal: Me, obviously. Actually this is a really tough question, because there are so many hilarious/mental people in the office.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I’ve wanted to be a journalist for as long as I remember. I loved reading and writing in school and always had more questions than answers!

Most common thing people say to you about working in the Irish Farmers Journal: Is the office REALLY in Dublin?

Your fave part of the job: Being on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat all day! I love working on social media, because it’s always developing. Keeping on top of new trends is interesting and challenging. The travel is pretty cool too – I’ve been to eight countries so far through my work, from Ethiopia to Nepal.

Your least fave part of the job: Transcribing interviews is always a pain in the neck.

Most likely to say: I’m going to the vending machine.

Best article you’ve ever read in the Irish Farmers Journal: Eoin Lowry is my globetrotting inspiration and I always love reading about his travels in the AgBiz pages.

Ciarán Lenehan

Job title: Beef specialist

Career low: Ciarán’s career was almost over before it began –because he couldn’t do ag science for the Leaving Cert.

Least known for: Being good at Gaelic football.

First impressions of the Irish Farmers Journal: I was out on a farm on my second day of the job. The sun was splitting the stones and the farmer and I spent hours walking the farm and talking cattle. I remember pulling out the gate beaming, thinking: “This is great!” The workload has increased since, but it’s still a dream job.

Person you most admire in the ag industry: Mary Phelan

Who’s the most craic in the Irish Farmers Journal: It’s close between Aisling “Armbands” Hussey and Shane “Purfect” Murphy – when he shuts up about Aberdeen Angus cattle.

What did you want to be when you grew up? From a young age – like most lads – it was a footballer, then after a work experience stint, veterinary tickled my fancy. I was relatively studious in school, but not that studious. I put veterinary number one on my CAO but knew I wouldn’t get near the points. The plan was to do an Animal Science degree and go in the back way, but that all changed and I went into beef research after college.

Most common thing people say to you about working in the Irish Farmers Journal: Usually asking for gossip or if anyone around the country has the cattle out.

Your least fave part of the job: Ads on my page!

Hobbies outside of work/farming: I play Gaelic football with the local club at present and run the farm at home with my dad. We have 50 sucklers and bring everything to beef. Outside of that I enjoy watching all sports, going out at the weekend and annoying Shane Murphy.

Most likely to say: What stars has she?

Least likely to say: What’s on the dairy page this week?