Kevin Ahern, farm manager at Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm, Bandon, Co Cork, with assistant manager Alan Murphy. \ Donal O'Leary

Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm, Bandon, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary

Kevin Ahern, farm manager at Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm, Bandon, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary

Adam Ahern rounding up the cows at Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm, Bandon, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary

Kevin Ahern, farm manager at Shinagh Estates Dairy Farm, Bandon, Co Cork pictured with assistant manager Alan Murphy and Kevin's son Adam Ahern who is working part-time on the farm for the summer. \ Donal O'Leary

Padraig O' Connor rounding up the cows for evening milking on the home farm at Shandrum More, Bantry, Co Cork where he farms in partnership with his father John runningf a 60 cow black and white herd. Padriag also works off farm as a rep for Agritech. \ Donal O'Leary

Michael Lawlor from Cappataggle loading the stock at Loughrea Mart sheep sale. \ Hany Marzouk

Gerry McMahon from Bullaun at Loughrea Mart sheep sale. \ Hany Marzouk

Jackie Flanery from Gortymadden and Kevin Kelly from Killtulla at Loughrea Mart sheep sale. \ Hany Marzouk

Rachel Dolan from Abbey, Loughrea scanning the stock at Loughrea Mart. \ Hany Marzouk

Lily Greene, aged two and a half, getting close to the animals at her visit to the local mart in Loughrea, Co Galway. \ Hany Marzouk

Niall O' Boyle, Co Waterford, checking out some of the horticultural facilities during the first of four open days at Kildalton Agricultural College for prospective students. \ Donal O'Leary

James Ryan, assistant principal of Kildalton Agricultural College, giving a tour of the college facilities to prospective students during the first of four open days at the college. \ Donal O'Leary

Evan White, Drangan, Co Tipperary, and Josephine McCarthy, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary, check out some of the teaching facilities during the first of four open days at Kildalton Agricultural College for prospective students. \ Donal O'Leary

Sophie Roche, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, and Cian Mooney, Castlecomer, Co Killkenny, get a tour of the facilities during the first of four open days at Kildalton Agricultural College for prospective students from James Ryan, Assistant Principal. \ Donal O'Leary

Grainne McMahon, assistant principal of Kildalton Agricultural College, giving a tour of the college horticultural facilities to prospective student Niall O' Boyle, Tramore, Co Waterford during the first of four open days at the college. \ Donal O'Leary

Damien Hicks of Hicks and Family silage contractors, Bantry, pictured baling silage for a local farmer near Kealkill, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary

Damien Hicks of Hicks and Family silage contractors, Bantry, baling silage for a local farmer near Kealkill, Co Cork. \ Donal O'Leary

Aerial view of silage harvesting by Rory Begley and his son David who cut their own silage in Rathcor, on the Cooley Peninsula, Co Louth. \ Kevin McKeown

Gerard Byrne mowing a paddock in Muine Bheag, Blackacre, Co Kilkenny. Gerard, a contractor, is mowing for John Hanlong racing who will use grass for Haylege. \ Philip Doyle

Tim O' Donovan, Seedtech, in a field of spring faba Lynx beans.

Tim O'Donovan, Seedtech, flanked by Denis Dunne, Seedtech advisor, at Seedtech's trial walk event in Faithlegg, Co Waterford. With a theme of ‘Sowing for Success’, Seedtech outlined the practical actions for a sustainable and profitable tillage sector and demonstrated the leading varieties for autumn drilling and the varieties to watch. \ Finbarr O’Rourke