Final superlevy set for record €75 million

Jack Kennedy writes that based on current milk supply trends, over-quota dairy farmers look set to incur a superlevy bill in excess of €75 million for the final milk quota year. This is due to a strong milk supply and the country being 5.1% over quota at the end of March. To read more on this click here.

EU-US trade deal signals tough time for Irish beef sector

A recent report on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) from research company Copenhagen Economics suggests that were the deal between the EU and US to go ahead, the value of Irish beef output could contract by as much as €50m. To read the full story, click here.

EirGrid confirms pylons for North-South connector

An announcement from the CEO of EirGrid on Friday confirmed a new strategy for infrastructure development by 2025. The strategy includes the news that high-voltage lines would no longer be needed in the South-East and parts of new western infrastructure could run underground. To read the full report on the strategy click here.

The dangers of internal agitation points

This week an Irish Farmers Journal reader sent in a picture of a broken slurry lid inside a cattle pen. Farm buildings expert Paul Mooney responded with an article outlining the reasons for why internal agitation points are a risk to farmers' and animals' lives here.

Fringe benefits of GLAS

Continuing his GLAS series, this week Peter Young writes about making the most of the trickier sections of farms under the scheme. From arable grass margins to hedges and groves of natural trees, Young has the key points you need to make the most of these areas here.

Getting Irish beef into China will take time

The opening of the Chinese market to Irish beef earlier this year meant the Irish beef industry took particular interest in the Chinese delegation who arrived in Ireland for Bord Bia's Marketplace 2015 to visit Irish processing plants last week. Read Phelim O'Neill's report on the Chinese visit here.