TOP STORIES
News
Farmers told to dismantle unauthorised sheds
James Hanly
Irish Farmers Journal analysis of county council data has shown that the number of unauthorised developments and the number of warning letters issued differs per county.
Farmers told to dismantle unauthorised sheds
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
ICMSA critical of co-op February milk price pulls
Noel Bardon
ICMSA critical of co-op February milk price pulls
The association is looking for a 50c/l base price for February’s milk without price pulls being masked by bonuses.
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.
Declan O’Brien
Factors aligning for increased reseeding
Rachel Gallagher
Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association secretary steps down after 44 years
Noel Bardon
Eight new bluetongue cases in England over past week
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mind SPONSORED
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mind
Brendan and Ciarán Brady, Cootehill, Co Cavan, exemplify how two generations can work together to maximise both the efficiency and profitability of a family-run dairy farm.
MART REPORTS
Weanlings break €5/kg barrier
Adam Woods
Weanlings break €5/kg barrier
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade including news of record prices.
Martbids Database: live exporters drive the trade
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: live exporters drive the trade
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s happening in the country’s marts.
Camera at the Mart: red hot trade in Cahersiveen spring show and sale
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: red hot trade in Cahersiveen spring show and sale
There were more weanling bulls than usual at Iveragh Mart's spring bull and bullock show and sale this week and trade was red hot.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Calf prices ease slightly week on week
Tommy Moyles
Calf prices ease slightly week on week
Grass+ Beef: more stock hit grass as weather set to warm up
Martin Merrick
Grass+ Beef: more stock hit grass as weather set to warm up
Calf trade update: prices slip slightly as beef crosses increase
Tommy Moyles
Calf trade update: prices slip slightly as beef crosses increase
Weanlings break €5/kg barrier
Adam Woods
Weanlings break €5/kg barrier
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
ICMSA critical of co-op February milk price pulls
Noel Bardon
ICMSA critical of co-op February milk price pulls
The association is looking for a 50c/l base price for February’s milk without price pulls being masked by bonuses.
Dairy Trends: butter continues its upward journey
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Trends: butter continues its upward journey
Butter is the star performer in Europe once again this week, recording an increase in price of €135/t from last week.
Darren Carty
Calf birth registrations down by 46,000 head
e-Learning
Contributor
Grass+ Dairy: great grass utilisation, but too cold for growth
Land purchase considerations: key factors for farmers SPONSORED
Land purchase considerations: key factors for farmers
The nature of farming like any business, is that farmers are continually investing in their farms, land, infrastructure, buildings, stock and machinery to improve on-farm efficiencies or productivity
SHEEP
Hogget price cuts ‘unacceptable’ at critical time of year - IFA
Anne O'Donoghue
Hogget price cuts ‘unacceptable’ at critical time of year - IFA
Top ewes hit €6/kg as hoggets cut 10c/kg
Darren Carty
Top ewes hit €6/kg as hoggets cut 10c/kg
Sheep Trends: hoggets suffer another 10c/kg cut
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: hoggets suffer another 10c/kg cut
Sheep mart prices: hoggets ease as ewes power on
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: hoggets ease as ewes power on
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Eight new bluetongue cases in England over past week
Noel Bardon
Eight new bluetongue cases in England over past week
The eight cases represent a total of 18 bluetongue-3 positive cattle tested due to pre-movement controls or birth defects.
Martbids Database: live exporters drive the trade
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: live exporters drive the trade
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s happening in the country’s marts.
PEDIGREE
Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association secretary steps down after 44 years
Rachel Gallagher
Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association secretary steps down after 44 years
Rachel Gallagher reports from the Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association AGM.
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher reports on the recent Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale held in Burke’s Livestock Mart, Maam Cross.
Getting through the first SBLAS audit SPONSORED
Getting through the first SBLAS audit
Damien Murray, Origin Green Producer Liaison & Standard Co-Coordinator gives a step by step guide for new suckler members of SBLAS facing their first audit.
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mindSPONSORED
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mind
Brendan and Ciarán Brady, Cootehill, Co Cavan, exemplify how two generations can work together to maximise both the efficiency and profitability of a family-run dairy farm.
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulseSPONSORED
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulse
Suitable for existing and new tanks - 60% TAMS approved. Agitates slurry. Improves safety. Enhances nutrients.
Meath’s green fields inspired Mark to pursue career to protect the environmentSPONSORED
Meath’s green fields inspired Mark to pursue career to protect the environment
Former Meath hurler and senior engineer Mark O’Sullivan is part of a team working to bring more renewables on to the electricity grid.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Scanlon’s pay topped €6m in 2024
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Scanlon’s pay topped €6m in 2024
CEO of Kerry Group's total remuneration increased by almost €1.5m last year.
Glanbia leadership pay drops almost as much as share price
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Glanbia leadership pay drops almost as much as share price
Both the CEO and CFO positions saw lower pay in 2024, but still earned millions.
New Kerry faces old Kerry challenges
Lorcan Roche Kelly
New Kerry faces old Kerry challenges
The leading milk price controversy hasn’t gone away as Producer Organisation puts price on top up for 2024.
Damage from tariffs will be decided by both size and duration
Phelim O'Neill
Damage from tariffs will be decided by both size and duration
While any new tariff is bad, premium market positions for Irish products can help ease the effect on consumer demand.
TILLAGE
Grain Trends: slight recovery in markets this week
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: slight recovery in markets this week
Wexford event to mark a century of harvesting
Pat O'Toole
Wexford event to mark a century of harvesting
Beans and oats sold out as planting continues
Siobhán Walsh
Beans and oats sold out as planting continues
Tillage management: sunshine, dry ground and spring cropping
Siobhán Walsh
Beet herbicide ban could hit fodder stocks
Grain Trends: slight recovery in markets this week SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Quicke launches new Unigrip soft hands attachment
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Quicke launches new Unigrip soft hands attachment
Quicke has introduced its new Unigrip L+ and XL+ soft hands attachment, which is capable of handling two bales at once.
Contractor charges see a rise of 5% this year
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Contractor charges see a rise of 5% this year
Contractor charges are experiencing a 5% rise for 2025, according to the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) annual price guide.
Gary Abbott
Telescopic loader registrations up 70%
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Manitou Group sales drop 7.5% in 2024
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kilkenny contractor auction
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
Thatched cottage full of charm and potential
Paul Mooney
Thatched cottage full of charm and potential
This iconic thatched cottage sits on a quiet road with well-maintained traditional outbuildings, writes Paul Mooney.
Large hill farm with potential near Banteer
Paul Mooney
Large hill farm with potential near Banteer
The holding comes with a farmhouse, sheds and entitlements to EU payments.
Farmhouse ready for an upgrade
Paul Mooney
Farmhouse ready for an upgrade
It sits on 28.5ac of grazing land in Mayo and comes with a simple farmyard, writes Paul Mooney.
BUILDINGS
Annual maintenance required on farm roadways
Martin Merrick
Annual maintenance required on farm roadways
Martin Merrick looks at some areas that farmers may need to draw attention to when it comes to roadway maintenance.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Farmers recognised for reduction in nitrates levels in rivers
Anne O'Donoghue
Farmers recognised for reduction in nitrates levels in rivers
The EPA's early insights nitrogen indicator for 2024 shows that nitrogen levels in rivers have reduced in 2024 compared with 2023.
Map: new research estimates that 30% of country is covered by peaty soils
Noel Bardon
Map: new research estimates that 30% of country is covered by peaty soils
Low-flying aircraft were able to determine whether a soil was peaty, based on differing levels of radiation detected above peats v non-peats.
RENEWABLES
Solar move for one of Ireland’s largest dairy farms confirmed
Anne O'Donoghue
Solar move for one of Ireland’s largest dairy farms confirmed
The Cork-based Browne family said they will now “rethink” the future of their farm with a view to leading the way in sustainability.
Nearly 26% of renewable electricity lost in Northern Ireland in 2024
Stephen Robb
Nearly 26% of renewable electricity lost in Northern Ireland in 2024
Provisional data from EirGrid shows that nearly 26% of renewable electricity was lost in Northern Ireland in 2024 due to insufficient grid capacity, while 9% was lost in the Republic.
FORESTRY
A long-term plan is now required to protect our forests
Donal Magner
A long-term plan is now required to protect our forests
Forestry organisations, the IFA, and timber producers are united in calling for the creation of a forestry development agency to deal with natural disasters and other issues facing the sector.
Court of Appeal directs farmer's case over SAC land to High Court
James Hanly
Court of Appeal directs farmer's case over SAC land to High Court
The farmer is now seeking damages for alleged loss and damage caused to him by the SAC designation, mainly based on the profits he would allegedly have earned had he been permitted to plant forestry.
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.
Northern View: prices paid for cattle keep on rising
David Wright
Northern View: prices paid for cattle keep on rising
Finished cattle prices are up again this week, both in NI and also in Britain.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Celebrating St Patrick's Day
Our cultural celebration of music, colour and flair certainly warms the heart on cold, March days.
Celebrating St Patrick's Day
Life
Diarmuid Gavin: Diarmuid’s going native and wild in the garden
Comment
'How many farmers are this week suffering from backache, sore knees or hips?'
Property
75ac residential farm with four-bedroomed house
Property
Residential holding will be offered in lots
Bungalow on 10ac parcel of land for auction
Paul Mooney
Bungalow on 10ac parcel of land for auction
The house has been vacant for some time and now requires upgrading and modernising. Paul Mooney reports.
Large block of designated land
Paul Mooney
Large block of designated land
The land sits between Thurles and Limerick City and is ideally suited for grazing, writes Paul Mooney.
Farmhouse ready for an upgrade
Paul Mooney
Farmhouse ready for an upgrade
It sits on 28.5ac of grazing land in Mayo and comes with a simple farmyard, writes Paul Mooney.
Thatched cottage full of charm and potential
Paul Mooney
Thatched cottage full of charm and potential
This iconic thatched cottage sits on a quiet road with well-maintained traditional outbuildings, writes Paul Mooney.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: this week in pictures as newborn lambs and farm work unfold
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in pictures as newborn lambs and farm work unfold
Watch: North Tipperary Ploughing Championships 60th anniversary
Photo Desk
Watch: North Tipperary Ploughing Championships 60th anniversary
Watch: This week in photos as farm visits & fertiliser spreading unfold
Photo Desk
Watch: This week in photos as farm visits & fertiliser spreading unfold
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers tackle slurry, marts and spring prep
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers tackle slurry, marts and spring prep
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: building on nitrates success
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: post-storm help required
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: lamb price decline
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: beef price warning
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Mayo cattle dealer loses High Court case over mart credit dispute
 
Mayo cattle dealer loses High Court case over mart credit dispute
Solar move for one of Ireland’s largest dairy farms confirmed
 
Solar move for one of Ireland’s largest dairy farms confirmed
Beef prices must continue to rise in line with cost of production - ICSA
 
Beef prices must continue to rise in line with cost of production - ICSA
Weanlings break €5/kg barrier
 
Weanlings break €5/kg barrier
Kepak appoints new head of sustainability
 
Kepak appoints new head of sustainability
Beef prices jump on the back of tight supplies
 
Beef prices jump on the back of tight supplies
Unusual sale day doesn't upset Bandon calf sales
 
Unusual sale day doesn't upset Bandon calf sales
Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association secretary steps down after 44 years
 
Donegal Blackface Sheepbreeders Association secretary steps down after 44 years
ICMSA critical of co-op February milk price pulls
 
ICMSA critical of co-op February milk price pulls
Quicke launches new Unigrip soft hands attachment
 
Quicke launches new Unigrip soft hands attachment