The farm was in tillage and beef until 2017, but now it’s solely beef. When I took over, I began a programme of reseeding the fields, I had them sown with spring barely for two years and then back to grass, this really rejuvenated the land. I still reseed regularly and soil sample to keep producing grass as efficiently as possible.
We maximise our turnout on the farm and try to keep the winters short by turning out by early March. We monitor parasite egg counts and treat accordingly from the time the Herefords arrive on the farm and they are usually ready before they reach 24 months of age.
The main challenge we face at the moment is increasing stock numbers without building more sheds, as this is very costly in the current climate.
My son Eoin is key to the farm’s success, he works part time with me and is also an accountant with a pharmaceutical company. In my spare time I love to get out sea fishing, I’m a member of a club from Cork harbour and we head out for long days of relaxation and fun on the boat.