Good week for…

  • Secondhand tractor sales, which have soared by 40% as farmers rush to cash in on a weak sterling.
  • Weanling sellers, as average bull prices are up €50/head on the same time last year.
  • Lamb producers, as exporters shift large numbers of ram lambs in advance of the Eid al-Adha festival and Kepak predicts a strong international trade.
  • Dairy farmers in need of additional help on the farm, as a new training programme begins for workers with no experience of farming.
  • Fertiliser prices, as the European Commission is to review a tax on Russian fertiliser that means farmers here pay higher prices.
  • Kerry Group and Glanbia, who announced higher revenue and profit this week.
  • Bad week for…

  • All farmers, as FBD boss Fiona Muldoon has warned that farm insurance rates may increase.
  • Farmers who use Teagasc advisers, as fees have been hiked for many of its core contracts.
  • Rural counties and farmers, as the impact of a hard Brexit becomes clear and IBEC says jobs are at risk to the tune of €2.1bn.
  • Farmers who face losing their TAMS grant money if they paid a deposit before being approved for the scheme.
  • Meat lovers, as Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates throws his money into a plant-based burger called the "Impossible Burger".