Main cause of stress
My most stressful time was when I took over as president three-and-a-half years ago. We represent a wide range of farmers in all sectors, big and small, so it was a very big learning curve. I had to read myself into all sectors very quickly.
It can also be difficult to find a balance between the public and farmers on an issue. Some farmers feel very aggrieved over issues and want to take a hard line. Then you have the public who want to understand what's going on. I've worked hard to find that balance.
With foot-and-mouth and BSE, this is a stressful time for farmers. I finish my term at the end of the year, and as someone said, barring World War III, nothing else can hit us at this stage. We've had it all. And because I am a farmer, I feel it personally. That makes it easier to articulate what's going on.
Coping with stress
I don't get too uptight about things. I enjoy good company and a few pints and will always turn off after work, even if just for an hour at the end of the day. Not too many days go by that I don't finish up with a drink.
I like sport and am a big racing and GAA fan so that allows me to turn off totally. The mobile phone might not allow that, but you don't always have to press the button after all.
Farming and stress
I was out early this morning walking through the cattle, with the dew on the grass. We were at the end of the lambing and I thought, this has to be the best job. But then, another morning we were in the middle of lambing in sleet and rain, I had to dash to Athlone for RTE and it was a real chore.
There are a lot of problems weighing farmers down and an awful lot of uncertainty about the future but I have to be positive for the people who have committed their lives to farming.
It can be the best job in the world when things go well.
In conversation with Alison Healy
