I farm: "Sucklers to beef on 80ha at Ballyorgan on the Limerick side of the Limerick Cork border. The cows are Limousin crossed with Hereford and mostly spring calving."

System: "I finish both heifers and steers. I tried finishing some as bulls this year – I won’t be doing it again. I’m looking at paddock grazing. While we’re protesting this week about prices, I know we also have to look at any possible efficiencies inside the farm gate."

Farm organisations: "I got involved through Macra. I was heavily involved though my local Killmallock branch. I served in a number of positions including president of Limerick Macra. Fifteen years ago, I took part in the beef blockade at Rathkeale. I drove my tractor to Dublin in the Tractorcade. It was a natural progression then to get involved in IFA. They were looking for a secretary and I got nominated. I’m chairman of Limerick IFA now. I went into the position in January 2013, straight into the fodder crisis and it hasn’t stopped since."

On the farm: "It’s been busy. I’ve just had a herd test. Most of the cattle are going back to grass. The heavier ones will go in. It’s been a fantastic back end. Even the dry night last night helped dry up ground after Tuesday’s rain. I had to get out the vet for a Hereford heifer who was out of sorts. She has photosensitisation and that reflects how good the back end has been."

Beef protest: "It went very well. It was very well attended and we got good support from farmers and their families. In the run up to it my phone was hooked to the charger, talking to branch officers and gauging what the appetite was like for protest. We had about 170 on the first day, a good presence through the night and 50 when it ended at 3pm Tuesday. We put the point across. Farmers are very unhappy with the way they’re being treated by processors. Something has to happen."

Leadership: "I’ve just heard I’ve been awarded a Nuffield Scholorship and I’m delighted. The interview process was stringent. My proposal is on how to provide leadership in the beef industry. Farmers are producing below cost, have low family income and are very angry about it. I’d like to help them."

Quotable quote: "Can we build real dialogue between all involved in the beef business? There has to be a better way. It can’t all be just about getting more farm efficiencies."