SHARING OPTIONS: Michael and pictured handling sheep with the aid of his dog on his farm in Co Mayo. Michael Oliver, similar to most farmers across the west of Ireland, farms part-time. He juggles breeding pedigree Limousin and Simmental cattle alongside breeding pedigree Beltex, Blue Leicester and Vendéen sheep, while running a scanning and bull fertility testing business where he covers most of Connaught every week. “I prefer the Limousins, however my daughters like the Simmentals, so there is always a bit of competition around here,” Michael said. Attention to Detail: Michael Oliver from Swinford, Co Mayo, shows what it takes to be a winner. \ Brian Farrell