I farm: “In Monasterevin, Co Kildare. I have 156ha, with 58ha of that owned. The land is taken on a yearly contract but it is from stud farms and there are no other dairy farms in the area, so there’s not much competition for it. I’m lucky that way.”

System: “We’re operating spring and winter herds. We have 170 cows all in all, with 40 cows calving in the autumn. We have 24 cows calved at this stage.”

Performance: “The cows are doing very well at the minute. They’re producing 18 litres with protein at 4.13% and butterfat at 4.5%. Despite current milk prices, there’s a decent top-up on the base price.”

Glanbia: “We supply Glanbia. They have come in for a bit of criticism for cutting the price in September. Everyone thought that sentiment was turning a bit and things were looking up, but all you can do is pick the best EBI and sort out your own farm. You can’t control what happens in America, China or New Zealand.”

Winter milk: “It can be costly but I try to manage things as best I can. My costs for winter are between 3c/l and 4c/l, on top of normal costs, but with the way we work and with winter bonuses, we should have €27,000 out of it this year. Our contract is for 1,279 litres/day. It’s important not to produce for over that or you’re just wasting your time.”

Family: “I’m married to Judith and we have two sons, Tom, three, and Hugh, one. My father is Dermot and he is on the farm with me every day.”

Quotable quote: “Operating spring and winter milk can be challenging. You have two calving seasons and two breeding seasons but, if done correctly, it can be worth decent money to a farmer.”

*Note: Shane O’Loughlin will be speaking at the Teagasc winter milk conference in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co Meath, on Thursday 22 October.