TOP STORIES
Tillage
Keeping septoria under control in winter wheat
Siobhán Walsh
Many farmers are now applying the T2 fungicide to winter wheat crops as the flag leaf has emerged.
Keeping septoria under control in winter wheat
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Farm Tech Talk: live from Balmoral Show
Jack Kennedy
Farm Tech Talk: live from Balmoral Show
On this week's episode, we’re at Balmoral Show with a panel of guests talking about what’s happening in the different sections.
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
Nevan McKiernan
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
A stunning line-up of breed champions took to the lawns of Balmoral on Friday for the interbreed champion of the show, writes Nevan McKiernan.
Darren Carty
Department issue orange high fire risk warning
Rachel Gallagher
Charollais claims Balmoral Show overall sheep interbreed title for 2025
James Hanly
Ministers issue orange warning around forest fire dangers
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.
MART REPORTS
Sheep mart prices: factory pressure hitting live sales
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: factory pressure hitting live sales
Hogget prices are under pressure in marts, with agents standoffish and much coyer in their purchasing activity.
Camera at the Mart: boom year for calves in Tipperary Mart
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: boom year for calves in Tipperary Mart
Tipperary Mart held its final calf sale of what has been a boom year for calves for the Tipperary town sales venue and trade was extremely strong throughout proceedings.
Martbids Database: light weanlings head for €6/kg
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: light weanlings head for €6/kg
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s happening in the country’s marts.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
The Grass Week: dry spell set to take its toll on growth
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: dry spell set to take its toll on growth
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
Nevan McKiernan
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
Rolex rolls out the red carpet in Balmoral
Nevan McKiernan
Rolex rolls out the red carpet in Balmoral
Cattle breed championships from day one in Balmoral
Nevan McKiernan
Cattle breed championships from day one in Balmoral
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Agri jobs: mushroom workers needed in Monaghan
James Hanly
Agri jobs: mushroom workers needed in Monaghan
There are a variety of positions available in the horticulture and dairy sectors in Monaghan, Cork and Laois.
The Grass Week: dry spell set to take its toll on growth
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: dry spell set to take its toll on growth
Another week of no rain on the cards spells trouble with grass growth rates, though farm covers are generally good enough to sustain demand.
James Hanly
Dairy herd replacement deficit a ‘serious wake-up call’ - ICOS
e-Learning
James Hanly
Tirlán holds milk price for April
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
UK sheepmeat production revised upwards
Darren Carty
UK sheepmeat production revised upwards
UFU and IFA call for all-island measures to address uncontrolled dog ‘crisis’
James Hanly
UFU and IFA call for all-island measures to address uncontrolled dog ‘crisis’
Sheep Trends: further pressure on hoggets
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: further pressure on hoggets
EU regulation curtailing live sheep exports
Darren Carty
EU regulation curtailing live sheep exports
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
TB summit feedback must be ‘taken seriously’ - ICSA
James Hanly
TB summit feedback must be ‘taken seriously’ - ICSA
The association’s animal health and welfare chair John Barron said that farmers must be recognised as key stakeholders in this process, not as passive recipients of policy.
Shortage of large animal vets in rural Ireland - Veterinary Council
James Hanly
Shortage of large animal vets in rural Ireland - Veterinary Council
However, the statutory body regulating veterinary medicine in Ireland found that the veterinary register has grown by 30% since 2004.
PEDIGREE
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
Nevan McKiernan
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
A stunning line-up of breed champions took to the lawns of Balmoral on Friday for the interbreed champion of the show, writes Nevan McKiernan.
Charollais claims Balmoral Show overall sheep interbreed title for 2025
Rachel Gallagher
Charollais claims Balmoral Show overall sheep interbreed title for 2025
Rachel Gallagher reports on what was a fiercely competitive day of sheep interbreed classes 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.
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.
I’m thinking of buying a mower, what would you recommend?SPONSORED
I’m thinking of buying a mower, what would you recommend?
Conal Moore an Agri contractor & tillage framer from Ballygar Co. Galway. “we do a lot of reseeding, slurry spreading and tillage work but baling would be our main enterprise”.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
US beef costs JBS $100m in first three months of 2025
Phelim O'Neill
US beef costs JBS $100m in first three months of 2025
US cattle shortage and farm gate price reflected in JBS accounts for first quarter of 2025.
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no animals
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no animals
Trinity immunology professor made prediction on Show Me the Science podcast
Weight-loss drugs have transformed dieting
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Weight-loss drugs have transformed dieting
The once iconic WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy and Glanbia puts Slimfast on the block.
Diesel prices marginally creeping upwards
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Diesel prices marginally creeping upwards
Although it's fair to say that diesel prices remain largely stable, the market has crept upwards by 4c/l in recent days. Peter Thomas Keaveney and Gary Abbott report.
TILLAGE
Keeping septoria under control in winter wheat
Siobhán Walsh
Keeping septoria under control in winter wheat
Tillage Podcast: 'make the best decision with the info you have'
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: 'make the best decision with the info you have'
Breaking: blackgrass declared a noxious weed
Siobhán Walsh
Breaking: blackgrass declared a noxious weed
Grain Trends: markets fall further
Pat O'Toole
Dry conditions starting to bite crops
Keeping septoria under control in winter wheat SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Massey Ferguson introduces next-generation MF 1M series
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Massey Ferguson introduces next-generation MF 1M series
Massey Ferguson has launched two new MF 1M series premium specification compact tractor models.
Entries open for Tullamore Show invention awards
Gary Abbott
Entries open for Tullamore Show invention awards
Entries have opened for Tullamore Show's national invention and innovation awards 2025, which will be broken down into seven categories, each offering a €300 first prize.
Gary Abbott
Young Stock Podcast: contracting in Banner County and tricky transmissions
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Diesel prices marginally creeping upwards
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Top tips for buying a used tedder
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
Traditional farmhouse with a modern twist in Co Roscommon
Paul Mooney
Traditional farmhouse with a modern twist in Co Roscommon
This farm in Castlerea has nice land, good road frontage and a fine house for half a million euro.
Triple treat in Tipperary with big potential
Paul Mooney
Triple treat in Tipperary with big potential
One of these compact holdings comes with a farmhouse, the other two are non-residential.
Period-style farmhouse with original features in Co Wexford
Paul Mooney
Period-style farmhouse with original features in Co Wexford
The land is in tillage and lies in two adjacent blocks. There is also a farmyard.
BUILDINGS
Close to 75% of TAMS tranche 5 applications approved so far
Martin Merrick
Close to 75% of TAMS tranche 5 applications approved so far
Tranche 5, which closed for applications in early December, has seen a huge rise in approval rates over the last number of weeks.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
New biodiversity project sees cattle grazing Shannon Airport land
Amy Forde
New biodiversity project sees cattle grazing Shannon Airport land
After scrub clearance in early 2024 by a team from the airport, the Droimeann cattle were introduced for conservation grazing during the non-growing season.
Private well testing programme must be implemented – water forum
James Hanly
Private well testing programme must be implemented – water forum
It comes after the Environmental Protection Agency domestic waste water treatment inspection report showed that 56% of septic tanks inspected in 2024 failed.
RENEWABLES
Limerick council refuses permission for AD plant
Stephen Robb
Limerick council refuses permission for AD plant
A group representing residents said that while it supports the use of anaerobic digesters as a renewable energy source, its objection lies with the proposed location of the facility.
Editorial: wind farm challenges
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: wind farm challenges
Are surrounding landowners sufficiently rewarded, if at all, for the land asset value reduction with these type of cluster investments?
FORESTRY
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.
Ministers contradicting each other on forestry in peatland – Sinn Féin
James Hanly
Ministers contradicting each other on forestry in peatland – Sinn Féin
It comes after Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry Michael Healy-Rae made comments saying that he wants to more afforestation on peatlands which Sinn Féin said is “very concerning”.
NORTHERN IRELAND
UK sheepmeat production revised upwards
Darren Carty
UK sheepmeat production revised upwards
The higher production forecast is driven by a higher carryover of hoggets and improved rearing rates.
‘Draconian’ nutrients plan would be a disaster for NI – Lakeland chair
Amy Forde
‘Draconian’ nutrients plan would be a disaster for NI – Lakeland chair
Niall Matthews said that the Nutrients Action Programme proposals caught many farmers on the hop.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Editorial: ‘you may be in darkness but there will be light again'
Darkness into Light is an event of hope, the reality of suicide is horrific. I’ve cried hot tears thinking about the dark place my friend must have been in.
Editorial: ‘you may be in darkness but there will be light again'
Life
Rural healthcare challenge needs joined up resolution
Comment
'Walking his only daughter up the aisle on her wedding day topped everything'
Finance
How to manage finances early in your career
Entertainment
Having the power but feeling skort-changed
Dear Miriam: ‘My wife won’t live in a mobile while house is being refurbished’
Contributor
Dear Miriam: ‘My wife won’t live in a mobile while house is being refurbished’
A frustrated Wexford reader asks Miriam how to talk his wife into settling for a six month stay in a mobile home on the site of a farmhouse they're refurbishing into their forever home.
Two gems in the Golden Vale go up for auction
Paul Mooney
Two gems in the Golden Vale go up for auction
One has a farmhouse and farmyard, the other has lengthy frontage on the public road.
Fine Georgian house has it all for €1.9m in west Cork
Paul Mooney
Fine Georgian house has it all for €1.9m in west Cork
The house is in excellent condition – and so, too ,are the gate lodge, the courtyard buildings and the land.
Two parcels of good cattle fattening land in Co Meath
Paul Mooney
Two parcels of good cattle fattening land in Co Meath
Both have road frontage and one has a small farm shed which is in good condition.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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
Watch: this week in photos as farmers sow, spread and welcome new lambs
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers sow, spread and welcome new lambs
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: proposed CAP and NAP changes leave farmers reeling
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Colm McCarthy - Budget restraint on the cards
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
Weather bonus like gold in the pocket
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: TB proposals sinking badly
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Historic Wexford Castle is a top summer attraction
 
Historic Wexford Castle is a top summer attraction
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no animals
 
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no animals
Department's spend on TB to date in 2025 equivalent to total spend in 2020
 
Department's spend on TB to date in 2025 equivalent to total spend in 2020
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
 
Sidney seals the deal for Salers in Balmoral
Watch: live blog from Balmoral Show 2025
 
Watch: live blog from Balmoral Show 2025
Calf prices continue to rise
 
Calf prices continue to rise
Agri jobs: mushroom workers needed in Monaghan
 
Agri jobs: mushroom workers needed in Monaghan
The Grass Week: dry spell set to take its toll on growth
 
The Grass Week: dry spell set to take its toll on growth
Opinion: CAP funding battle goes to heart of European project
 
Opinion: CAP funding battle goes to heart of European project
Equine fencing gets new specifications under TAMS
 
Equine fencing gets new specifications under TAMS