THE last four weeks in particular have told their own story. Taken individually, the various strands of those stories may appear disconnected but in fact, they are completely interwoven with each other.

During that time, we have seen farmers, particularly in the north and north west of the country, take to the streets to lobby and protest over a real fodder crisis which threatens their livestock and is sending their feed bills right up through the shed roof. Parts of our country are in the grip of a crisis, prices are spiralling and it’s only January. The really tough months of the winter, February and March, already ominous for many, lie ahead for all.