'I feel like we're at a crossroads.'
Rising feed, fuel and fertiliser costs this year have led to many fearing how they will be able to pay their bills and remain in the industry.
One of the biggest impacts on the industry has been the war in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine are two of the major exporters of fertilisers and grain, and the ongoing conflict is having a major impact on the farming community and further down the line with everyone who buys food. He said:"Milk prices have jumped up and nearly doubled in some cases – but so have fuel and fertiliser, so I am dealing with bigger numbers really and your bottom line is not much different."We have got 202 acres and I am close to the town so maybe in time we could sell a little bit of land for building which could revitalise my farm. But I shouldn't have to rely on that. Money should be there to reinvest.
"Finally, our government is waking up to the fact we have a cost-of-living crisis which has been flagged up since the invasion of Ukraine.