TOP STORIES
News
Concern over future of key farm schemes
Amy Forde
The schemes at risk include the ANC, which alone is worth €250m/annum, ACRES, suckler and sheep schemes and on-farm investment schemes such as TAMS.
Concern over future of key farm schemes
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Teagasc and Kepak host event for beef discussion groups
James Hanly
Teagasc and Kepak host event for beef discussion groups
Over 200 farmers attended a full day of insight and hands-on demonstrations focused on building more efficient and sustainable beef production systems.
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
James Hanly
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
That’s according to Damian O’Reilly, lecturer in retail management at TUD who also said that the tight margins for retailers mean they are not the ones making money from the higher shop prices.
Peter McCann
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Tom Morrow
Northern Ireland diary of events
David Wright
Strong leadership is required on P limits
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmer SPONSORED
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmer
For Martin Colleran and his son Ryan, farming just outside Kilmaine, Co Mayo, their success is built on good land, healthy stock and smart decisions.
MART REPORTS
Martbids Database: heavy cattle back up in price
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: heavy cattle back up in price
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including the what’s happening in the marts around the country.
Sheep mart prices: hoggets hit with another price cut
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: hoggets hit with another price cut
Mart managers report hogget prices falling anywhere from upwards of €7 to €10/head over the last week, with only ewe hoggets for breeding avoiding intense downward pressure.
Camera at the Mart: high demand for cull ewes in Ballinalsoe
Rachel Gallagher
Camera at the Mart: high demand for cull ewes in Ballinalsoe
Rachel Gallagher reports from Ballinasloe Livestock Mart for the weekly sheep sale.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Department to scrap pre-movement TB testing proposal for suckler cows
Amy Forde
Department to scrap pre-movement TB testing proposal for suckler cows
Over 2,700 investigations carried out by IFI on farm settings in 2024
James Hanly
Over 2,700 investigations carried out by IFI on farm settings in 2024
Teagasc and Kepak host event for beef discussion groups
James Hanly
Teagasc and Kepak host event for beef discussion groups
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
James Hanly
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Department to scrap pre-movement TB testing proposal for suckler cows
Amy Forde
Department to scrap pre-movement TB testing proposal for suckler cows
Current trends suggest that TB reactor numbers could top 63,000 this year.
Over 2,700 investigations carried out by IFI on farm settings in 2024
James Hanly
Over 2,700 investigations carried out by IFI on farm settings in 2024
IFI released the figures as it appeals to farmers and contractors to help protect Ireland’s rivers and lakes from agricultural pollution during the silage cutting season.
James Hanly
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
e-Learning
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Trends: global prices hold steady for most products
Using rumen-protected fat to support fertility and milk fat at turnout SPONSORED
Using rumen-protected fat to support fertility and milk fat at turnout
Rumen-protected fats provide energy without acid to help stabilise rumen conditions while also supporting fertility and milk fat production.
SHEEP
Sheep Trends: loss-making position for hoggets
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: loss-making position for hoggets
Sheep mart prices: hoggets hit with another price cut
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: hoggets hit with another price cut
Suffolk Sheep Society trimming and showing event to take place in Blessington
Rachel Gallagher
Suffolk Sheep Society trimming and showing event to take place in Blessington
Sheep Management: blowfly strike, nematodirus and SIS worm counts
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: blowfly strike, nematodirus and SIS worm counts
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Artificial intelligence is the fourth industrial revolution - Scanlon
Caitríona Morrissey
Artificial intelligence is the fourth industrial revolution - Scanlon
Ireland’s national artificial intelligence ambassador has urged the agri industry to keep pace with the speed of acceleration or risk being left behind.
Sheep Management: blowfly strike, nematodirus and SIS worm counts
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: blowfly strike, nematodirus and SIS worm counts
Shearing contractors report coming in contact with more incidences of blowfly strike over the last week.
PEDIGREE
Super Sidney leads Salers to success at Balmoral
Nevan McKiernan
Super Sidney leads Salers to success at Balmoral
The 156th Balmoral Show certainly lived up to expectations with a a stunning line-up of breed champions, writes Nevan McKiernan
Hot weather and hot competition in Balmoral sheep rings
Rachel Gallagher
Hot weather and hot competition in Balmoral sheep rings
Rachel Gallagher reports on what was a strong four days of competition in the sheep rings at Balmoral Show.
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.
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmerSPONSORED
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmer
For Martin Colleran and his son Ryan, farming just outside Kilmaine, Co Mayo, their success is built on good land, healthy stock and smart decisions.
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf BuildingSPONSORED
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf Building
Proper calf shed ventilation is crucial for maximising calf performance and profitability.
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops SPONSORED
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops
The weather in spring and early summer has been generally favourable to crop growth and development, a complete contrast to 2024.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Dunnes absent in Agri-Food regulator survey
Phelim O'Neill
Dunnes absent in Agri-Food regulator survey
Agri-Food Regulator conference gives insight on supplier issues and compliance with Unfair Trading Practices legislation.
EU and UK unveil plan to cut Brexit bureaucracy
Phelim O'Neill
EU and UK unveil plan to cut Brexit bureaucracy
The EU and UK met for a post-Brexit reset summit in London and revealed a framework to negotiate an SPS deal to eliminate veterinary certificates and slash inspections.
Kerry adds over €200m to the value of Tirlán
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Kerry adds over €200m to the value of Tirlán
The spinout of Glanbia shares was accompanied by a sizeable jump in the value of Tirlán's processing operation.
EU-UK Veterinary deal in pipeline
Phelim O'Neill
EU-UK Veterinary deal in pipeline
The EU and UK took a first step this week towards removing post-Brexit bureaucracy for goods of animal and plant origin, but the details have to be worked out.
TILLAGE
Grain Trends: prices pick up this week
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: prices pick up this week
Localised downpours end dry spell for some tillage farmers
Pat O'Toole
Localised downpours end dry spell for some tillage farmers
Tillage management: beans thriving, spring crops stressed
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage management: beans thriving, spring crops stressed
Blackgrass making noxious weed list a 'positive step'
Siobhán Walsh
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
Grain Trends: prices pick up this week SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
2003 Fiat 110-90 sells for €46,500 at Cork auction
Peter Thomas Keaveney
2003 Fiat 110-90 sells for €46,500 at Cork auction
A 2003 Fiat 110-90 attracted huge attention at a recent Cork machinery clearance auction, eventually selling for €46,500 (no VAT) to a Kildare collector.
Balmoral Show: machinery launches and highlights
Gary Abbott
Balmoral Show: machinery launches and highlights
Gary Abbott looks at some of the machinery launches and highlights from a sunny Balmoral Show last week.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Massey Ferguson introduces next-generation MF 1M series
Gary Abbott
Entries open for Tullamore Show invention awards
Gary Abbott
Young Stock Podcast: contracting in Banner County and tricky transmissions
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
This 19th century period farmhouse offers peace and calm in Co Clare
Paul Mooney
This 19th century period farmhouse offers peace and calm in Co Clare
Brook Lodge has spacious gardens, a large courtyard and is surrounded by mature trees.
Remarkable landscape in Co Wicklow could ‘disappear into private hands’
Paul Mooney
Remarkable landscape in Co Wicklow could ‘disappear into private hands’
This very big mountain holding is a mix of heather, rough grazing and bog.
Two mid-sized farms ready for online auction
Paul Mooney
Two mid-sized farms ready for online auction
Both are bare land of good quality with road frontage and they are being offered in lots.
BUILDINGS
Tunnelling through in Frenchpark
Martin Merrick
Tunnelling through in Frenchpark
The Devines recently completed their underpass which crosses underneath the busy Frenchpark to Boyle road.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Energy-related emissions hit 30-year low
James Hanly
Energy-related emissions hit 30-year low
This is according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which published the interim national energy balance for 2024, which showed that emissions have fallen 11% since 2011.
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
Siobhán Walsh
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
The Farming for Water EIP gives farmers flexibility on the area of catch crops they plant and the fields they plant each year.
RENEWABLES
Energy-related emissions hit 30-year low
James Hanly
Energy-related emissions hit 30-year low
This is according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, which published the interim national energy balance for 2024, which showed that emissions have fallen 11% since 2011.
Grid and grant gaps hamper NI renewables
Stephen Robb
Grid and grant gaps hamper NI renewables
The lack of grant aid for solar PV for farmers in Northern Ireland, and a grid which suffers from lack of investment, where among the challenges highlighted at the Balmoral Show.
FORESTRY
Storm Éowyn windblown timber will be processed in 18 months
James Hanly
Storm Éowyn windblown timber will be processed in 18 months
Forest Industries Ireland analysed sawmilling capacity in Ireland and found that more than 30 new timber harvesting machines have been brought into the country since January.
Ministers issue orange warning around forest fire dangers
James Hanly
Ministers issue orange warning around forest fire dangers
The Department of Agriculture issued a condition orange (high fire risk) warning which runs from 3pm on Thursday to midday on Monday 19 May.
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 Ireland diary of events
Tom Morrow
Northern Ireland diary of events
Here's what is happening in the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Life
Seine-sational way to discover Paris
Cruising into Paris on a luxury floating hotel, we get more than an Eiffel of the French capital.
Seine-sational way to discover Paris
Comment
Editorial: ‘we want to celebrate young farmers all over Ireland'
Food
For the first time ever, Blas na h’Éireann has named three Producers' Champions
Entertainment
Win tickets to Bloom and be in with the chance of attending ‘Taste of Bloom'
Property
A scenic west Kerry holding for €345,000
Two mid-sized farms ready for online auction
Paul Mooney
Two mid-sized farms ready for online auction
Both are bare land of good quality with road frontage and they are being offered in lots.
Dundrum cottage requiring renovation sits on 10ac
Paul Mooney
Dundrum cottage requiring renovation sits on 10ac
The house has been vacant and now needs renovation. The land is good quality.
Large farm in one block near Kilconnell is yours for €800,000
Paul Mooney
Large farm in one block near Kilconnell is yours for €800,000
The land would suit a number of uses and it’s now for sale in lots by private treaty.
Remarkable landscape in Co Wicklow could ‘disappear into private hands’
Paul Mooney
Remarkable landscape in Co Wicklow could ‘disappear into private hands’
This very big mountain holding is a mix of heather, rough grazing and bog.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: this week in photos as farmers tackle silage, sales and summer prep
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers tackle silage, sales and summer prep
Watch: this week in pictures as silage, sunshine and shows take center stage
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in pictures as silage, sunshine and shows take center stage
Watch: this week in photos as young farmers lead in breeding and markets
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as young farmers lead in breeding and markets
In pictures: FBD National Livestock Show training day at Tullamore
Photo Desk
In pictures: FBD National Livestock Show training day at Tullamore
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: Brussels and Dublin protests highlight CAP risk
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Colm McCarthy: New York's congestion charges
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
Editorial: Stocking rates confirmed at last
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: €15,000 milk price gap emerges
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Department to scrap pre-movement TB testing proposal for suckler cows
 
Department to scrap pre-movement TB testing proposal for suckler cows
Ifac acquires Kilkenny accounting firm
 
Ifac acquires Kilkenny accounting firm
Camera at the Mart: heavy calves a great trade in Bandon
 
Camera at the Mart: heavy calves a great trade in Bandon
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no livestock
 
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no livestock
‘Every farm fatality is a tragedy’ - Minister Healy-Rae
 
‘Every farm fatality is a tragedy’ - Minister Healy-Rae
Donations sought to save Beltra Agricultural Show venue
 
Donations sought to save Beltra Agricultural Show venue
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
 
Beef and dairy prices in shops have ‘levelled out’
Inquiries ongoing into Kilkenny tractor crash
 
Inquiries ongoing into Kilkenny tractor crash
AgTech Ireland hosts conference on artificial intelligence in farming
 
AgTech Ireland hosts conference on artificial intelligence in farming
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
 
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows