TOP STORIES
Sheep
Sheep price update: Monday mart sales performing positively
Darren Carty
There is a lot of talk in the trade of further pressure on prices, but mart managers report that sales held on Monday recorded a steady trade with agents keen for sheep.
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Amy Forde
Department spent €6.7m in legal and consultant fees in 2022
Accountancy costs totaled €770,192 last year, with the Department using two firms.
Pat O'Toole
Opinion: we need more time, we have no time
The EPA report for emissions and the revelation of a scenario where hundreds of thousands of cows would be culled causes concern, as southern Europe burns up and Brussels is divided over rewetting.
Rachel Donovan
New vet school 'deserves and should be' in west of Ireland - MEP Walsh
Sarah O'Sullivan
Call-out service open to farmers to combat farm theft
Caitríona Morrissey
New charter to tackle retailer price pressure on horticulture growers
SPONSORED
Credit products available to farmers
Key information to know when looking for credit products for Irish farmers.
CLIMATE TARGETS
Peter McCann
Carbon audit linked to new payments
In addition, claimants will be required to abide by new rules, develop a nutrient management plan, and participate in a new ruminant genetics programme.
Barry Murphy
Ammonia emissions: lowest air pollutant increase in 2021
Out of air pollutants analysed by the EPA, ammonia emissions saw the lowest increase in 2021. However, a lack of progress since 2005 means European reduction commitments are still not being met.
Barry Murphy
EPA ‘not holding back’ from Teagasc methane research
Attendees at the EPA’s annual conference heard that the agency is open to incorporating the latest farm emissions science when updating national carbon inventories.
VIDEO HUB
MART REPORTS
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: Monday mart sales performing positively
There is a lot of talk in the trade of further pressure on prices, but mart managers report that sales held on Monday recorded a steady trade with agents keen for sheep.
Adam Woods
MartBids Database: heatwave hits mart numbers
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s cattle trade, including what’s happening around the country’s marts.
Shane Dobson
Camera at the Mart: heifers hit high prices in Ballinrobe
Wednesday last saw Ballinrobe Mart, Co Mayo, host its weekly general cattle sale. Shane Dobson reports from the ringside.
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: hogget entries dwindle as lamb numbers grow
Many marts are now only recording negligible entries of hoggets and while lamb numbers are rising, they remain below recent years' levels.
BEEF
Kieran Mailey
Five tips to get spring grazing back on track
Adam Woods
No bank holiday boost for beef quotes
Amy Forde
Coupled payments to slow decline of beef cow numbers
Phelim O'Neill
End to reporting atypical BSE
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Amy Forde
Coupled payments to slow decline of beef cow numbers
The modeling examines the consequences of continued strong growth in the dairy herd accompanied by a beef cow herd that is projected to contract.
Martin Merrick
Growth back 20% in Munster as dry spell continues
Soil moisture deficits continue to rise and are set to affect growth even more for the week ahead.
Jack Kennedy
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - The Livestock Show
Amy Forde
Ministers ‘contradicting each other’ on rewetting
SPONSORED
NCBC Dairy-Beef Series Episode 1: Eoin McDonald & Declan Butler
Welcome to the NCBC Dairy-Beef Series, brought to you by Progressive Genetics, Munster Bovine and proudly supported by ABP.
SHEEP
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: Monday mart sales performing positively
Martin Merrick
Growth back 20% in Munster as dry spell continues
Darren Carty
Remember best practices when applying pour-ons in current weather
Jack Kennedy
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - The Livestock Show
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Phelim O'Neill
End to reporting atypical BSE
Decision by World Organisation for Animal Health marks a big step forward in restoring beef trade where it's been banned because of BSE.
Declan O’Brien
Mystery illness hits southern dairy herds
Animals hit by the ‘winter cow syndrome’ showed milk-fever-like symptoms and yields suddenly dropped by 10-20%. Declan O'Brien and Aidan Brennan report.
PEDIGREE
Shanon Kinahan
What's on in the pedigree world
Shanon Kinahan takes a look at what’s coming up in the world of pedigree this week.
Shanon Kinahan
A great weekend for Gerrygullinane Limousin
Shanon Kinahan reports from the Gerrygullinane online timed production sale which took place from Friday 26 May to Monday 29 May.
SPONSORED
The 3 Rs of worm control: Right dose, Right animal and Right time
As sure as night follows day, once the grass really starts to grow, cattle and sheep will be challenged by the burden of worms.
SPONSORED
Steady cattle and sluggish sheep trade so far in 2023
Mark Zieg, Bord Bia beef, meat and livestock manager, and Seamus McMenamin, sheepmeat and livestock manager, look at trade.
SPONSORED
Credit products available to farmers
Key information to know when looking for credit products for Irish farmers.
SPONSORED
Multiple Bord na Móna auctions boast over 400 lots of machinery this May
Wilsons Auctions prepares once again to offer bidders a huge selection of tractors, machinery, tyres, motorbikes, equipment and more surplus assets on behalf of the iconic Irish company Bord na Móna.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Phelim O'Neill
End to reporting atypical BSE
Decision by World Organisation for Animal Health marks a big step forward in restoring beef trade where it's been banned because of BSE.
Phelim O'Neill
Opinion: Ireland’s next 50 years in the EU
The EU has served Ireland and Irish farmers well for the past 50 years and while it will deliver for the wider economy, how farming is valued is less certain.
Phelim O'Neill
Australia’s beef and lamb exports increase
Herd and flock rebuilds in Australia mean that exports are returning to previous levels.
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Census 2022 data shows farming is the oldest profession
The first release of detailed figures from last year’s census paints a worrying picture for agriculture.
TILLAGE
Stephen Robb
Donegal tillage event to focus on varieties, soil and markets
Contributor
Oats research being carried out to support future expansion
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: looking at crops in the sunshine in Kilkenny
Kelsey Daly
Grant approvals letters for €3.1m seed potato and chipping potato scheme
SPONSORED
Early season spraying tasks for 2023
Product choice, environmental conditions and sprayer set-up are critical.
MACHINERY
Gary Abbott
Reintroduction of excise duty to increase the price of green diesel
The phased reintroduction of excise duty on fuels will add an extra 3c/l to green diesel prices between now and 1 November, the first phase has come into effect, adding 1c/l.
Gary Abbott
John Deere 6R 185 answers the needs of Kilkenny contractor
Last year, John Deere introduced its 6R185 to offer more power in its mid-frame tractor segement. Gary Abbott spoke with Edward Delahunty having upgraded a 6155R earlier this year for a 6R185.
Gary Abbott
Factory tour: building over 90 tractors daily in Basildon
Michael Moroney
Thinking about buying a new tractor?
Gary Abbott
1991 Ford 7810 scoops €21,500 plus commission at online auction
SPONSORED
Farm safely this silage season – stay clear of overhead electricity wires
ESB Networks wantsto provide a safe electricity infrastructure. Live electricity wires are always near and coming close can be dangerous, writes Michael Murray, ESB Networks public safety manager.
PROPERTY
Paul Mooney
Large block of forestry for sale in Kilkenny
The land is in one block and has good access from a main road – an important issue when it comes to harvesting.
Paul Mooney
Auction results: tillage farmers top bidders for dairy farm
Here is the result of an auction of a dairy farm in Co Meath and a number of other land auctions.
Paul Mooney
Lovely Kilkenny estate - with thriving dairy operation
In a great location, this property also comes with a period house dating back to the early 1800s.
BUILDINGS
Martin Merrick
In pictures: €500,000 finishing shed in Co Limerick
Buildings reporter Martin Merrick visited a recently completed finishing and suckler shed with space for up to 340 finishing cattle.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Amy Forde
Coupled payments to slow decline of beef cow numbers
The modeling examines the consequences of continued strong growth in the dairy herd accompanied by a beef cow herd that is projected to contract.
Contributor
Oats research being carried out to support future expansion
There is increased interest in food-grade oats and it is important that management advice is correct. Atikur Rahman reports from Teagasc Oak Park.
RENEWABLES
Stephen Robb
Donegal tillage event to focus on varieties, soil and markets
The event will take place on 6 June in Newtowncunningham, Donegal, and will focus on cereal varieties, soil health, cover crops and markets.
Amy Forde
Agriculture emitted 38% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 – CSO
In all, five sectors accounted for 78% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, with agriculture (38%) and households (27%) being the two highest-emitting sectors.
FORESTRY
Letters to the Editor
Letter: ash dieback situation in Ireland
The ability to earn the income promised in the official promotion of “growing ash for profit” has been taken from ash growers. - Simon White, chair of LTWO Ltd, Co Limerick.
Donal Magner
Forestry largely missing from Food Vision 2030 annual report
Progress on comprehensive forestry goals and actions in the 2021 Food Vision absent in the 2022 annual report, writes Donal Magner.
NORTHERN IRELAND
David Wright
NI roundup: slurry solutions, live export bill and BSE status
Weekly news in-brief from across the farming and food industry in Northern Ireland.
Kieran Mailey
Factories keen to cut young bull quotes
Farmers offloading finished cattle in NI indicate that prices are slightly easier on steers and heifers, but bulls are much more challenging trade.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Careers
Microsoft dream space showcase schools event hailed a success
Over 300 primary school children displayed projects at the Microsoft dream space showcase event in Longford last week, writes Sarah McIntosh.
Life
Tips to keep your home safe while enjoying long sunny days
Life
Editorial: the last one - tá bród agus brón orm
Life
A Week in the Country: novel gap filler, bush vetch and exam tips
Life
How to cope when a child dies
Neven Maguire
Entertaining at home: are you ready to fire up the grill?
Warm summery evenings call for charcoal grills, spicy marinades and great-quality Irish meats, writes Neven Maguire.
Contributor
Home Nurse: Nessa Robins’ brain fuel for exam season
With the Junior and Leaving Cert just around the corner, Nessa Robins shares her healthy snack ideas to fuel our students.
Janine Kennedy
Beer: perfect barbecue brews
When it comes to sunshine, warm weather and barbecued meats, only a cold Irish craft beer will do, writes Janine Kennedy.
Paul Mooney
Lovely Kilkenny estate - with thriving dairy operation
In a great location, this property also comes with a period house dating back to the early 1800s.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo Desk
This week in photos: May hay while the sun shines
Photo Desk
This week in photos: Newford Farm open day plus silage
Barry Murphy
Is this the world’s smallest calf?
Photo Desk
This week in photos: sowing and silage
VIEWPOINTS
Signing up to Brussels for another year
Jack Kennedy
Aviation emissions are only at the surface
Colm McCarthy
Home Farm: deep ruts need careful driving
Matt Dempsey
Dempsey at Large: packed house for Tirlán AGM
Matt Dempsey
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Early indications positive on sexed semen use on Tullamore Farm
 
In pictures: hive of activity across the Footprint Farms as the weather improves
 
In pictures: €500,000 finishing shed in Co Limerick
 
1991 Ford 7810 scoops €21,500 plus commission at online auction
 
Credit unions to offer farmers loans up to €300,000
 
Dairy Trends: spot prices keep creeping up
 
Coupled payments to slow decline of beef cow numbers
 
This week in photos: May hay while the sun shines
 
Donegal tillage event to focus on varieties, soil and markets
 
Mystery dairy cow illness is ‘ruminal acidosis’ – Department