Kevin Leahy farms around 350 acres with his father and uncle near Causeway, Co. Kerry, growing everything from barley and oats to wheat, maize and beet.

But like many farmers, Kevin says the sector is under growing pressure.

In our new podcast series- Farm Conversations: Why CAP Matters - he discusses the impact of CAP changes, the importance of support schemes such as the Straw Incorporation Measure and Protein Aid, and the urgent need to reverse the decline in tillage farmer numbers.

In this series we’ve been hearing from farmers right across the country about the important role CAP plays in supporting their family farms — helping them to farm sustainably, invest in the future and keep their businesses viable.

They've shared their thoughts on why it is important to put the right supports in place for younger farmers while also helping older farmers exit properly.

Farmers have also highlighted that they believe CAP payments should be ring-fenced for the farmer producing food rather than the landowner. 

The Farm Conversations: Why CAP Matters podcast series features farmers from Kerry to Cavan and hears how schemes like ACRES and TAMS have made a difference on some farms.

Don’t forget to rate, review and follow 'Farm Conversations: Why CAP matters' wherever you are listening.