I farm: “Seventy-five acres of my own land and 165 acres of rented land. The land is nearly all adjoining the farm. The horses, sheep and cows all graze together. I find mixed grazing the best for me. It’s very efficient, as grass is better utilised. I have eight acres of oats also. I use this as feed for the horses and I find it has reduced costs considerably.”

Sucklers: “I have 40 suckler cows. It’s a spring-calving herd. They are all mostly Limousin. I use stock bulls on the farm rather than AI. The two bulls are Charolais.”

Sheep: “I have 100 ewes. They are all Suffolk-cross. I run four rams with the flock, two Suffolk and two Bleu de Main. The sheep have been shorn and dipped now for the summer. I find that there is a lot of work involved with sheep. There’s always something to be at.”

This week: “I’m very busy cutting silage and haylage at the moment. Thankfully, the weather is looking good for us. I have the pit made for the silage and I will be making round bales of haylage. Haylage is great for the horses and sheep.”

Dublin Horse Show: “This year, I will be bringing three horses and a foal to the horse show. My daughter, Kate, and I have great interest in showing Irish draughts. It takes a lot of time and commitment, but we enjoy going to the shows. Kate runs the whole show really. She has all the horses looking immaculate and she’s one of the main reasons we’re so successful. You could say she’s the backbone to the horse end of the farm. For four years in a row, we were in the parade of champions. We have great luck in Dublin. Our mare Moylough Ruby will have three progeny competing at the show. It should be a great week.”

Quotable quote: “Today, every farmer in Ireland spends their summer getting ready for a six-month winter. Our winters are getting worse and have terrible consequences for some farmers.”