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News
SCEP overhaul sought by Sinn Féin
Declan O’Brien
The main opposition party also claimed that the difficulties with SCEP called into question the make-up of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) board.
SCEP overhaul sought by Sinn Féin
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Judge pleads with ‘gentleman farmers’ to resolve dispute
Contributor
Judge pleads with ‘gentleman farmers’ to resolve dispute
"Are we going to have a handbags at dawn situation? We can’t have that, it would be lawlessness at a grand level," the judge said. Gordon Deegan reports.
Electricity prices 28% higher on Irish farms in 2023
Rachel Donovan
Electricity prices 28% higher on Irish farms in 2023
Electricity prices were significantly higher in 2023 relative to 2022, while green diesel prices decreased.
Adam Woods
Watch: farmer fury in Carrick over ICBF changes
Rachel Donovan
Drop of almost 45% in farm incomes a 'serious concern' - IFA
Noel Bardon
Department awards €1.6m in funds to projects promoting forestry
ACA organic online meetings open to all farmers 29 November & 6 December SPONSORED
ACA organic online meetings open to all farmers 29 November & 6 December
Open online meetings will be held for farmers and their families to engage in meaningful discussions about the various procedures and best practices associated with organic farming enterprises.
CLIMATE TARGETS
Department underestimated carbon emissions from peatland plantations
Declan O’Brien
Department underestimated carbon emissions from peatland plantations
It is estimated that forests on peat soils are probably emitting around 2m to 3m tonnes of carbon annually.
Focus can’t just be on lower carbon emissions
David Wright
Focus can’t just be on lower carbon emissions
Lowering carbon emissions is not the only environmental issue that matters
Coillte- and ESB-backed wind farm gets green light in Cork
Stephen Robb
Coillte- and ESB-backed wind farm gets green light in Cork
The 22 turbine wind farm, which is being developed by Coillte and ESB’s joint venture FuturEnergy along with global developer Ørsted, got the green light.
VIDEO HUB
MART REPORTS
Camera at the Mart: factories and finishers flock for heavy cattle in Kilkenny
Shanon Kinahan
Camera at the Mart: factories and finishers flock for heavy cattle in Kilkenny
Shanon Kinahan brings you some of the top prices from the weekly cattle sale in Kilkenny Mart.
Watch: breeding types go for big money in Elphin
Adam Woods
Watch: breeding types go for big money in Elphin
Adam Woods reports from Elphin Mart’s special breeding sale of heifers which took place on Wednesday this week.
Sheep mart comment: lambs up €2 to €5/head as ewes firmer too
Darren Carty
Sheep mart comment: lambs up €2 to €5/head as ewes firmer too
There is variation reported between sales, with some marts witnessing prices for heavy lambs rising by up to €5/head, while there is more bite in the trade for ewes.
MartBids Database: trade and numbers ease
Adam Woods
MartBids Database: trade and numbers ease
Adam Woods reports on this week’s mart trade and what’s happening in the country’s marts.
BEEF
Cattle farms excluded from EU industrial emissions rules
Noel Bardon
Cattle farms excluded from EU industrial emissions rules
1 euro subscription
Noel Bardon
Specifications finalised for Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI
Kieran Mailey
Five tips to prepare the farm for a cold snap
Adam Woods
Watch: farmer fury in Carrick over ICBF changes
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Cattle farms excluded from EU industrial emissions rules
Noel Bardon
Cattle farms excluded from EU industrial emissions rules
It was agreed in trilogues that the rules should only apply to larger pig and poultry farmers, with cattle farms to remain excluded.
Slurry exports the first choice for farmers over 220kg - Minister
Aidan Brennan
Slurry exports the first choice for farmers over 220kg - Minister
Accelerated capital allowances, new grant aiding under TAMS and a 70% grant rate for slurry storage on importing farms will help farmers affected by the nitrates derogation changes.
Caitríona Morrissey
Dairy sustainability the focus of ICOS conference
e-Learning
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Day: 'try to be redundant every two years'
NCBC Dairy-Beef Series Episode 1: Eoin McDonald & Declan Butler SPONSORED
NCBC Dairy-Beef Series Episode 1: Eoin McDonald & Declan Butler
Welcome to the NCBC Dairy-Beef Series, brought to you by Progressive Genetics, Munster Bovine and proudly supported by ABP.
SHEEP
Sheep price update: disappointment as quotes fall 10c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: disappointment as quotes fall 10c/kg
Four new cases of bluetongue confirmed in England
Amy Forde
Four new cases of bluetongue confirmed in England
The sheep clean livestock policy refresher course
Darren Carty
The sheep clean livestock policy refresher course
Spanish lamb prices hit €8.90/kg
Darren Carty
Spanish lamb prices hit €8.90/kg
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Peter McCann
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Weekly round-up of news from across the farming industry in Northern Ireland
53% drop in antibiotics sales shows improved use by vets and farmers
Rachel Donovan
53% drop in antibiotics sales shows improved use by vets and farmers
According to the latest report from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), sales of antibiotics have once again decreased.
PEDIGREE
Pedigree breeders council votes against court injunction
Adam Woods
Pedigree breeders council votes against court injunction
Adam Woods has the latest news ahead of a much anticipated release of updated beef indices at 3pm on Tuesday.
Watch: record-smashing Belgian Blue heifer sells for €21,500
Martin Merrick
Watch: record-smashing Belgian Blue heifer sells for €21,500
Donegal breeder John Kennedy saw his Ross Alo-sired heifer calf sell for a whopping €21,500, beating the previous record of €18,000 set in 2021.
ACA organic online meetings open to all farmers 29 November & 6 DecemberSPONSORED
ACA organic online meetings open to all farmers 29 November & 6 December
Open online meetings will be held for farmers and their families to engage in meaningful discussions about the various procedures and best practices associated with organic farming enterprises.
GAIN Pre-Calver Gold success on Laois farmSPONSORED
GAIN Pre-Calver Gold success on Laois farm
Dairy farmers Richard and Ian Galbraith discuss the success of supplementing GAIN Pre-Calver Gold to their 110-cow herd in Co Laois.
Harnessing the Soil Microbiome for Sustainable Agriculture in the 'Human' EraSPONSORED
Harnessing the Soil Microbiome for Sustainable Agriculture in the 'Human' Era
Science Week is a national celebration of science, with hundreds of in-person and hybrid events taking place nationwide. Running from 12-19 November
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.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Greencore reports profit and revenue growth for financial year
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Greencore reports profit and revenue growth for financial year
Company passes higher costs on to customers, exits low-margin contracts.
If Irish beef PGI could follow Irish whiskey lead . . .
Phelim O'Neill
If Irish beef PGI could follow Irish whiskey lead . . .
It is a very different product and market, but the success of Irish whiskey in export markets could inspire a PGI grass fed beef brand.
Bank of Ireland joins Kerry Dairy Ireland with sustainability-linked loans
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Bank of Ireland joins Kerry Dairy Ireland with sustainability-linked loans
New offering provides “additional funding option”, lender says.
Steak meat the bright spot in UK retail trade
Phelim O'Neill
Steak meat the bright spot in UK retail trade
UK consumers continue to spend more on beef, but buy less volume and preference for high-value lamb cuts also increases at the expense of cheaper cuts.
TILLAGE
Fertiliser is 40% of direct costs on tillage farms
Siobhán Walsh
Fertiliser is 40% of direct costs on tillage farms
1 euro subscription
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage industry livid over Tirlán CEO's comments
Phelim O'Neill
If Irish beef PGI could follow Irish whiskey lead . . .
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage conference to focus on resilience in people, products and profits
Fertiliser is 40% of direct costs on tillage farms SPONSORED
If you go down to the woods today, snap some pics and be in to win!
Can you capture that special autumnal image or perhaps a stunning photo of life in the forest?
MACHINERY
In pictures: Agritechnica enjoys record attendance with 470,000 visitors
Peter Thomas Keaveney
In pictures: Agritechnica enjoys record attendance with 470,000 visitors
With a record 470,000 visitors from 149 countries, Agritechnica has had a much-welcomed return to the machinery exhibition calendar.
Bergmann celebrates 60 years of manufacturing forage wagons
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Bergmann celebrates 60 years of manufacturing forage wagons
Manufacturing farm machinery for 125 years, Bergmann is this year celebrating its 60th year developing and manufacturing forage wagons.
Gary Abbott
Samasz introduces new XDF front mower with direct drive conditioner
Gary Abbott
Meath Farm Machinery expands operations into Louth and Dublin
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Mandatory ATV regulations officially come into effect
Ireland’s Solar Future: Neoen Partners with Farmers for a Greener Future SPONSORED
Ireland’s Solar Future: Neoen Partners with Farmers for a Greener Future
Neoen stands as a prominent global figure in renewable energy, with a commitment to producing large-scale, cost-effective and sustainable power.
PROPERTY
Quality land with derelict dwelling in Kingdom's dairy heartland
Tommy Moyles
Quality land with derelict dwelling in Kingdom's dairy heartland
The presence of a ruin in the centre of a compact holding of good quality ground is helping drive interest for a farm in Kerry's dairy heartland.
Modern farm house on 42 acres for auction in Laois
Tommy Moyles
Modern farm house on 42 acres for auction in Laois
A modern two story dwelling with a pair of interesting buildings close by are among the stand out features of a 42 acre residential farm in Co Laois.
Historic Meath castle and lands with colourful past on the market.
Tommy Moyles
Historic Meath castle and lands with colourful past on the market.
An Irish childhood home of a UK Prime Minister is a rarity, rarer still that the likes of it come to the market but Knight Frank are sole agents for such a property in Co Meath.
BUILDINGS
Mild October highlights ever-present ventilation issues
Martin Merrick
Mild October highlights ever-present ventilation issues
Martin Merrick calculates what air inlet vented sheeting has in comparison to space or Yorkshire boarding, as a mild October highlighted ever-present ventilation issues.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Cattle farms excluded from EU industrial emissions rules
Noel Bardon
Cattle farms excluded from EU industrial emissions rules
It was agreed in trilogues that the rules should only apply to larger pig and poultry farmers, with cattle farms to remain excluded.
Dairy sustainability the focus of ICOS conference
Caitríona Morrissey
Dairy sustainability the focus of ICOS conference
The Sustainability Event - organised by ICOS, UCC and The Plunkett Institute - will take place in Cork on 4-5 December.
RENEWABLES
An Bord Pleanála approves wind development on Cork-Waterford border
Stephen Robb
An Bord Pleanála approves wind development on Cork-Waterford border
An Bord Pleanála has approved an 11-turbine wind farm proposal on the Waterford-Cork border.
Low wind generation and high demand sparks electricity warning
Stephen Robb
Low wind generation and high demand sparks electricity warning
Low wind generation, coupled with insufficient generation capacity, prompted Ireland's single electricity market operator to issue a warning about tight generation capacity margins.
FORESTRY
Department awards €1.6m in funds to projects promoting forestry
Noel Bardon
Department awards €1.6m in funds to projects promoting forestry
Groups successful in accessing the funds include the ACA, Coillte, an Taisce and the ibec-affiliated Forest Industries Ireland.
Coping with climate change in Portugal's forests
Donal Magner
Coping with climate change in Portugal's forests
In this first of two articles, Donal Magner examines the impact of global warming on tree species selection and land use management in Portugal.
NORTHERN IRELAND
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Peter McCann
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Weekly round-up of news from across the farming industry in Northern Ireland
UK could do more for food exports, MPs told
Peter McCann
UK could do more for food exports, MPs told
A committee of MPs has been told that much more could be done to remove trade barriers for UK agri food exporters.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Life
Meet The Maker: Ceramic artist Cora Cummins
In this week’s Meet The Maker, Maria Moynihan talks to Waterford based ceramic artist, Cora Cummins
Meet The Maker: Ceramic artist Cora Cummins
Life
Meet The Maker: ceramic artist, Cora Cummins
Careers
Strong labour market reported for recent graduates
Life
Meet The Maker: jewellery designer Liga Valge
Food
Add a little extra zing to your food shelf for Christmas
Reaching out and connecting at Christmas
Ciara Leahy
Reaching out and connecting at Christmas
How are you? A simple question, but one that you might be afraid to ask, because what do you say next if the answer is: "I'm struggling to cope," writes Ciara Leahy.
Anne Devine: 'you never know what you’re saying these days'
Sarah McIntosh
Anne Devine: 'you never know what you’re saying these days'
Thinking a swifty was a quick drink or something teenagers did after a disco, Anne Devine's discovers new terminologies from her niece Freya. Colm O'Regan writes.
Katherine's Country: Ricky gets croup
Katherine O'Leary
Katherine's Country: Ricky gets croup
While her grandson Ricky is sick with croup, Katherine O'Leary takes the opportunity to teach him how to take tablets like a grown-up and the little boy succeeds.
The ultimate Christmas baking project: make a gingerbread farm
Janine Kennedy
The ultimate Christmas baking project: make a gingerbread farm
Are you looking for a baking project for the whole family? Try building your own gingerbread farm. A Farmers Journal festive family effort led by Janine Kennedy with Dee Laffan and Martin Merrick.
PHOTOGRAPHY
This week in photos: beetroot crop save, flooding and mart action
Photo Desk
This week in photos: beetroot crop save, flooding and mart action
This week in photos: housing stock and catchment science conference
Photo Desk
This week in photos: housing stock and catchment science conference
Around Northern Ireland in pictures
Photo Desk
Around Northern Ireland in pictures
This week in photos: winterage, sheep show and cutting maize
Photo Desk
This week in photos: winterage, sheep show and cutting maize
VIEWPOINTS
Smoke screens and clichés in Limerick
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Dempsey at Large: Rebalancing the scales for farmers
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Home Farm: Counting the costs
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Dramatic drop in fertiliser sales
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Watch: record-smashing Belgian Blue heifer sells for €21,500
 
Watch: record-smashing Belgian Blue heifer sells for €21,500
Judge pleads with ‘gentleman farmers’ to resolve dispute
 
Judge pleads with ‘gentleman farmers’ to resolve dispute
160-acre solar farm approved in Cork
 
160-acre solar farm approved in Cork
Watch: Limousin heifer sells for five figures in Carrick fatstock
 
Watch: Limousin heifer sells for five figures in Carrick fatstock
Spring calving position on new Galway-based dairy farm
 
Spring calving position on new Galway-based dairy farm
Tillage industry livid over Tirlán CEO's comments
 
Tillage industry livid over Tirlán CEO's comments
Beef Trends: finishers holding on tight
 
Beef Trends: finishers holding on tight
Five tips to prepare the farm for a cold snap
 
Five tips to prepare the farm for a cold snap
IFJ Junior: meet the young farmer gobbling up the Christmas turkey market
 
IFJ Junior: meet the young farmer gobbling up the Christmas turkey market
Drop of almost 45% in farm incomes a 'serious concern' - IFA
 
Drop of almost 45% in farm incomes a 'serious concern' - IFA