TOP STORIES
News
Obsess about grass quality not peak milk - Teagasc
Rachel Donovan
The biggest risk to milk production in mid-season is grass quality, head of dairy knowledge transfer at Teagasc Dr Joe Patton has said.
Obsess about grass quality not peak milk - Teagasc
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
News Podcast: small farmers, ACRES and land leasing
Amy Forde
News Podcast: small farmers, ACRES and land leasing
On this week’s show, we discuss the predicted exodus of small farmers, ACRES payments and new land leasing proposals.
IFA seeks overhaul of dairy beef scheme
Niamh Murphy
IFA seeks overhaul of dairy beef scheme
IFA president Francie Gorman has called for a payment of €100 per calf for farmers rearing calves from the dairy herd.
Anne O'Donoghue
Gardaí now able to identify tractors without insurance
Anne O'Donoghue
INHFA questions intent of Nature Restoration Law opinion poll
Niamh Murphy
Over 17,000 farmers apply to the new National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urged SPONSORED
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urged
Heightened risks of soil and slurry contamination in first-cut grass silage after the wet winter will require extra vigilance with silage making this season, an expert is urging.
CLIMATE TARGETS
Ireland can learn from New Zealand on carbon tax changes
Contributor
Ireland can learn from New Zealand on carbon tax changes
With methane, there is no substitute for ruminant livestock, other than unacceptable destocking, writes Prof Gerry Boyle.
Smallest farms only produce 4% of sector's emissions
Noel Bardon
Smallest farms only produce 4% of sector's emissions
The Small Farm Survey flagged small farms as being important for agriculture's sustainability.
50,000 football fans fly in for Aviva fixture
Colm McCarthy
50,000 football fans fly in for Aviva fixture
Summer arrives on cue for airports and Dublin does not have spare parking stands for a once-off influx.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
MART REPORTS
Watch: top prices from the ringside in Kilkenny
Shanon Kinahan
Watch: top prices from the ringside in Kilkenny
Shanon Kinahan takes a look at some of the highlights from the weekly cattle sale in Kilkenny Mart.
Sheep mart prices: live export activity boosts lamb prices
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: live export activity boosts lamb prices
The interest from live exporters has occurred amid tight supplies and is fuelling increased competition among buyers.
Camera at the Mart: numbers falling but trade remains strong in Corrin
Shanon Kinahan
Camera at the Mart: numbers falling but trade remains strong in Corrin
Shanon Kinahan was in Cork Marts Corrin on Tuesday for its weekly cattle sale.
In pictures: lambs sell to €5/kg in Dowra Mart
Darren Carty
In pictures: lambs sell to €5/kg in Dowra Mart
There was a lightning trade for lambs and hoggets, with competition boosted by live export buying and demand outstripping supplies.
BEEF
Five tips for a positive breeding season
Kieran Mailey
Five tips for a positive breeding season
1 euro subscription
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: keeping quality in grazing ground and fertilising second cuts
Shanon Kinahan
Watch: top prices from the ringside in Kilkenny
Declan O’Brien
'Small number' of farmers awaiting payment from Asba Meats
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
The Grass Week: keeping quality in grazing ground and fertilising second cuts
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: keeping quality in grazing ground and fertilising second cuts
We are approaching the time of the year for grasses to head out, so it is also when grass quality can go downhill in grazing and silage swards.
Dairy cull cow kill up 23,500 head in 2024
Darren Carty
Dairy cull cow kill up 23,500 head in 2024
There were almost 115,000 dairy cull cows drafted for slaughter in the first four months of 2024, while the beef cull cow kill of over 42,000 head was steady with 2023 levels.
Declan Collins
Time to get on top of grass quality
e-Learning
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Trends: GDT and spot prices bounce
There’s a future for palm oil in the dairy supply chain SPONSORED
There’s a future for palm oil in the dairy supply chain
If not palm, then what? Understanding the complex story of sustainable palm and the vital role it plays in supporting global conservation efforts, local economies and the dairy supply chain.
SHEEP
The Grass Week: keeping quality in grazing ground and fertilising second cuts
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: keeping quality in grazing ground and fertilising second cuts
Over 17,000 farmers apply to the new National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Niamh Murphy
Over 17,000 farmers apply to the new National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Sheep Trends: throughput eases to 40,730 head
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: throughput eases to 40,730 head
Sheep mart prices: live export activity boosts lamb prices
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: live export activity boosts lamb prices
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Productivity increases best way to reduce livestock emissions - Mitloehner
Anne O'Donoghue
Productivity increases best way to reduce livestock emissions - Mitloehner
Professor Frank Mitloehner outlined the top measures to reduce emissions from livestock farming globally.
Munster Bovine appoints chief executive
Niamh Murphy
Munster Bovine appoints chief executive
With over 30 years' experience in the veterinary sector, Martin Kavanagh has been appointed as the new chief executive of Munster Bovine.
PEDIGREE
Best in the business in Balmoral
Shanon Kinahan
Best in the business in Balmoral
Shanon Kinahan takes a look back at all the cattle champions from the 155th Balmoral Show
In pictures: Brownhill Tara crowned champion Charolais in Balmoral
Adam Woods
In pictures: Brownhill Tara crowned champion Charolais in Balmoral
Adam Woods reports form the Charolais ring at Balmoral Show.
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urgedSPONSORED
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urged
Heightened risks of soil and slurry contamination in first-cut grass silage after the wet winter will require extra vigilance with silage making this season, an expert is urging.
Irish beef sales in Britain still growingSPONSORED
Irish beef sales in Britain still growing
Bord Bia meat and organics market specialist Seán Deane reports that Irish beef sales in Britain continued to grow in the first two months of 2024, building on last year's strong performance.
Outpacing the field with the only non-stop baler, the Kverneland FastBaleSPONSORED
Outpacing the field with the only non-stop baler, the Kverneland FastBale
In Clogheen, Co Tipperary, Thomas Moloney, alongside his father Jim, has been steering the family business through the evolving landscape of Irish agriculture for over six decades.
How FRS fencing and DURA² helped transform our home and farmSPONSORED
How FRS fencing and DURA² helped transform our home and farm
DURA² fencing provided John Paul Bennett and his wife Laura with a durable and environmentally friendly fencing solution for their home and farm.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
UK inflation rate fall is good news
Phelim O'Neill
UK inflation rate fall is good news
Inflation falling to its lowest rate of increase in almost two years persuaded the UK prime minister to call an election.
Grain Trends: markets jump with weather news
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: markets jump with weather news
Grain prices jumped this week, as concerns over weather and crop yields hit markets. Siobhán Walsh reports from the US this week.
Profits soar at Greencore
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Profits soar at Greencore
Maker of convenience food sees the benefit of cost-cutting measures.
Profits jumped more than €200,000 at ICBF in 2023
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Profits jumped more than €200,000 at ICBF in 2023
Income boosted by Brexit reserve money granted as part of the national genotyping programme.
TILLAGE
Tillage Podcast: walking crops from Ardee to Illinois
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: walking crops from Ardee to Illinois
1 euro subscription
Siobhán Walsh
US scheme pays farmers €25/ac to plant cover crops
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: markets jump with weather news
Siobhán Walsh
Kerry farms on show on ITLUS trip
Tillage Podcast: walking crops from Ardee to Illinois SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Kuhn to display over 20 machines at Cereals
Gary Abbott
Kuhn to display over 20 machines at Cereals
Kuhn will showcase over 20 machines on its Cereals 2024 stand, including a debut for its Tineliner and Rowliner mechanical weeders.
SIP and John Deere grass demo day set for Clare
Peter Thomas Keaveney
SIP and John Deere grass demo day set for Clare
John Deere dealership Geary’s Garage is set to host a working demonstration day with SIP and John Deere grassland equipment on Thursday 23 May.
Gary Abbott
In pictures: 1964 Doe Triple-D tops UK auction selling for almost €82,000
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kverneland introduces high-capacity trailed tedder
Gary Abbott
New Holland T7.210 sells for €40,000 at Hennessy Auctions' monthly sale
New quad bike regulations - are you ready? SPONSORED
New quad bike regulations - are you ready?
Quad bikes are designed to cope with a wide variety of terrain types and so are a fantastic aid for farm work - by Ciaran Roche, FBD risk manager.
PROPERTY
Two farms hit the market in Louth
Paul Mooney
Two farms hit the market in Louth
Some of the land has been sown to a tillage crop while more is in grass, writes Paul Mooney.
€18,000/ac land near coast road in Waterford
Paul Mooney
€18,000/ac land near coast road in Waterford
The land is on the coast road, about 500m from the sea, and is in permanent pasture, writes Paul Mooney.
Good grazing land with bungalow in Limerick
Paul Mooney
Good grazing land with bungalow in Limerick
The 84ac holding in Gortboy has a farm road which runs through it, giving access to all fields, writes Paul Mooney.
BUILDINGS
Lack of cash hits on-farm construction
Declan O’Brien
Lack of cash hits on-farm construction
A combination of atrocious weather, reduced cashflow and uncertainty around the nitrates derogation has stalled a major share of farm construction work.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Productivity increases best way to reduce livestock emissions - Mitloehner
Anne O'Donoghue
Productivity increases best way to reduce livestock emissions - Mitloehner
Professor Frank Mitloehner outlined the top measures to reduce emissions from livestock farming globally.
Farming for Water potential to have ‘huge reach’
Anne O'Donoghue
Farming for Water potential to have ‘huge reach’
Lead on Farming for Water Mairead Whitty, said the EIP needs to draw on relationships with the project’s many partners.
RENEWABLES
15-year renewables income available for farmers under new scheme
Stephen Robb
15-year renewables income available for farmers under new scheme
Details of the long-awaited Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme were revealed and will allow farmers to build commercial wind and solar projects and receive support for 15 years.
Renewed focus on renewables at Balmoral
Stephen Robb
Renewed focus on renewables at Balmoral
There was a significant presence of renewable energy providers at this year’s Balmoral Show and, despite little grant aid available for farmers, interest was high writes Stephen Robb.
FORESTRY
Supports needed for forestry replanting, Gleeson concedes
Declan O’Brien
Supports needed for forestry replanting, Gleeson concedes
Department supremo insists that the legal requirement to replant forestry ground after harvesting will not be removed.
Putting land into forestry a ‘big leap’ for landowners - Department boss
Amy Forde
Putting land into forestry a ‘big leap’ for landowners - Department boss
Brendan Gleeson said that it is “extremely unlikely” that the 8,000ha forestry target will be met, unless there is “an explosion in demand”.
NORTHERN IRELAND
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Peter McCann
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Weekly round-up of news from the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
Dairy commodities on an upward trend
Kieran Mailey
Dairy commodities on an upward trend
Dairy commodities saw butter and powder prices increasing at the GDT and Dutch auctions.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Life
Meet the Maker: Mairidh Nic Cormaic
In this week’s Meet the Maker, Grace Hanna chats to Mairidh Nic Cormaic, founder of Sew it Seams, about her handmade fleeces and accessories.
Meet the Maker: Mairidh Nic Cormaic
Comment
Editorial: voting for who to represent us at European level matters
Life
Win two tickets to Bord Bia Bloom
Irish Horse
Irish Horse: donkey work over at last
Entertainment
Super Sunday of hurling drama
Author John Connell: ‘the sheep make me feel a new-found sense of prosperity’
Contributor
Author John Connell: ‘the sheep make me feel a new-found sense of prosperity’
In an extract from his number one best-seller, Twelve Sheep, farmer and writer John Connell reflects on returning to his rural roots.
Irish Horse: why now could be the perfect time to buy a racehorse
Mark Costello
Irish Horse: why now could be the perfect time to buy a racehorse
There are signs that the market is slowing down with value to be had, writes Mark Costello.
Gardening with Gerry: branching out with ‘Red Robin’
Gerry Daly
Gardening with Gerry: branching out with ‘Red Robin’
If you’re looking to add some vibrant colour and year-round interest to your garden, the ‘Red Robin’ can tranform your outdoor space, writes Gerry Daly.
Secondary school students host art exhibition in Athenry Mart
Sarah McIntosh
Secondary school students host art exhibition in Athenry Mart
Hundreds of people attended ‘Athenry Agri’ art exhibition, as secondary students from Clarin College Athenry created artwork inspired by agriculture, writes Sarah McIntosh.
PHOTOGRAPHY
In pictures: the 155th Balmoral Show
Photo Desk
In pictures: the 155th Balmoral Show
Watch: this week's pictures of the week - silage and stock in fields
Photo Desk
Watch: this week's pictures of the week - silage and stock in fields
Watch: this week in photos - farmers get on with fieldwork
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos - farmers get on with fieldwork
Watch: this week's pictures of the week shows fieldwork continuing
Photo Desk
Watch: this week's pictures of the week shows fieldwork continuing
VIEWPOINTS
Home Farm: examining the crops
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Dempsey at Large: Tony O'Reilly - an immense talent
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Ireland can learn from New Zealand on carbon tax changes
Contributor
Contributor
How can farmers be expected to invest in slurry storage?
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Hedge-cutting dates up for review
 
Hedge-cutting dates up for review
Ag science teachers share top tips for this year's Leaving Cert
 
Ag science teachers share top tips for this year's Leaving Cert
Gardaí now able to identify tractors without insurance
 
Gardaí now able to identify tractors without insurance
Mass exodus of small farmers
 
Mass exodus of small farmers
ACRES balancing payments to start in June
 
ACRES balancing payments to start in June
Co Wexford farmer dies on farm
 
Co Wexford farmer dies on farm
Stunning 263ac island for sale for €1m in Kerry
 
Stunning 263ac island for sale for €1m in Kerry
Over 17,000 farmers apply to the new National Sheep Welfare Scheme
 
Over 17,000 farmers apply to the new National Sheep Welfare Scheme
Agri jobs: dairy farm manager wanted for 300-cow Cork farm
 
Agri jobs: dairy farm manager wanted for 300-cow Cork farm
INHFA questions intent of Nature Restoration Law opinion poll
 
INHFA questions intent of Nature Restoration Law opinion poll