My farming week: Jason Fitzgerald, Boherbue, Co Cork

I farm: “On a dairy farm in Boherbue, Co Cork and we also have the family suckler farm in Kanturk, Co Cork.”

Dairy entrant: “We ran a suckler farm and I was working in construction. We had Limousin cross cattle which were for breed for exporting. I lost my job in 2009 and, in 2011, I applied for a new entrant quota. I leased 80 acres in Kanturk to go milking. It was a turn-key farm. I have it on a lease for another four years and after that I’ll have to see what I’ll do then.”

Milking: “We have 70 Holstein cows and they averaged 530kg of milk solids last year. Our milk goes to North Cork Co-op.”

Calving: “Calving is tipping away nicely. Calving started on 10 January and it should be finishing up before 10 April.”

Hen harrier: “Our home farm is in Ballydesmond and it is a hen harrier designated land. The hen harrier restriction has essentially made thousands upon thousands of hectares worthless. The designation is a complete waste of land. Some 4,000 farmers in 169,000ha have their hands tied for the sake of just 40 pairs of harriers. That’s nonsensical.”

Politics: “I was involved with IFDL (Irish Farmers with Designated Land) because I was looking for justice of what was happening to farmers on designated land. I subsequently got involved with Renua Ireland, or Reboot Ireland as it was then. I attended meetings and I’m now a declared candidate. We launched the party there last week and I’ll be running in the Cork North West constituency in the next general election.”

Family: “I’m married to Fiona and we have three young daughters. Eva is seven, Ella is five and Cara is two.”

Quotable quote: “I got into politics to try and give a voice to the smaller, marginal farmers who have been neglected for years. I want to be a politician for every small farmer in the country.”