I farm: “186 acres, 84 acres of which we own ourselves, and 102 acres of which we lease. I’m a suckler farmer, and I finish all my cattle too. I have 60 cows at the moment that I’m taking from suckler to beef. I also have 110 ewes that are out with the rams now, and they’ll be lambing in mid-January.”

This week: “I’m getting the cows ready for the new suckler scheme, and I’m weaning the calves. They’re going well. I’m also preparing for the winter, getting the sheds cleaned out and the place tidied up. I’m doing a bit of spraying too. The weather has been lovely the past few days to get everything done.”

Beef prices: “They’re very bad at the minute, and the cost of farming is going up and up. They would want to improve the closer it gets to Christmas. I’ve made no money this year and it’s been very difficult.”

The budget: “Last year the hike in the self-employed PRSI meant that I had to fork out an extra €250, but I’m happy enough with this budget. The tax credit and the cuts to the USC rates announced will all add up and make the difference.”

Family: “I live with my wife Kathleen. Our son James and his partner Sinead live nearby with their six-month-old son, Liam. James also farms in his spare time.”

Quotable quote: “Ah sure farmers are never happy, but you’d have to be with that budget. The self-employed tax credit is a nice figure, and for that to come back into our pockets is a great help.”