TOP STORIES
News
Record breaking weeks for gas use and wind energy generation
Stephen Robb
Over the past two weeks, records have been shattered in the Irish energy system, both in terms of natural gas consumption and wind energy generation.
Record breaking weeks for gas use and wind energy generation
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Average loss of €5,000 where winter crops not planted
Siobhán Walsh
Average loss of €5,000 where winter crops not planted
Dr Fiona Thorne gave a rundown on tillage farm incomes at the Irish Tillage and Land Use Society’s winter conference.
Almost 8,000 fewer farmers in Ireland since census 2016
Amy Forde
Almost 8,000 fewer farmers in Ireland since census 2016
In the 2011 Census, there were 73,146 farmers in Ireland. This number fell to 61,472 in 2022.
Darren Carty
Lower cow star ratings - are changing percentiles responsible?
Caitríona Morrissey
Regan signs €20m-plus sale contract for Barne Estate
Rachel Donovan
Number of pig farmers exiting the sector 'frightening' - IFA pig chair
Nurturing sustainable futures: The EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland’s midlands SPONSORED
Nurturing sustainable futures: The EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland’s midlands
In a bid to revitalise the midlands economy, Paddy Mathews, head of operations for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands at Fáilte Ireland, sheds light on the transformative power of the EU Just Transition Fund
CLIMATE TARGETS
How your climate actions impact your carbon footprint
Contributor
How your climate actions impact your carbon footprint
In this article Tom O’Dwyer, head of the Signpost Programme at Teagasc, explains some of the ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your farm and how the action affects your carbon footprint.
The COP28 summit once again shows the resistance to tackling fossil fuels
Lorcan Roche Kelly
The COP28 summit once again shows the resistance to tackling fossil fuels
Oil exporters are using veto to block major environmental progress, writes Lorcan Roche Kelly
Reducing the age at slaughter, while increasing carcase weight
Contributor
Reducing the age at slaughter, while increasing carcase weight
These farmers have managed to significantly reduce the age of their animals at slaughter while also increasing the carcase weight of those animals.
VIDEO HUB
MART REPORTS
Sheep mart prices: agents reluctant to let sheep home unsold
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: agents reluctant to let sheep home unsold
Factory agents remain coy in their purchasing behaviour and while reluctant to pay higher, are keen to use mart sales to try to increase throughput.
MartBids Database: factories driving mart trade
Adam Woods
MartBids Database: factories driving mart trade
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s currently driving the trade.
Camera at the Mart: NI factory agents drive Raphoe fatstock trade
Adam Woods
Camera at the Mart: NI factory agents drive Raphoe fatstock trade
Adam Woods reports from Raphoe Mart's annual fatstock sale, which took place last Friday.
Camera at the Mart: weanlings wind up for festive season in Portumna
Shanon Kinahan
Camera at the Mart: weanlings wind up for festive season in Portumna
Shanon Kinahan was in Portumna Mart on Monday evening for its final weanling sale of 2023.
BEEF
Lower cow star ratings - are changing percentiles responsible?
Darren Carty
Lower cow star ratings - are changing percentiles responsible?
1 euro subscription
Kieran Mailey
Five tips to move store cattle into the finishing period
Shanon Kinahan
Festive female fun in Randalstown
Noel Bardon
Global demand for beef imports to rise as EU output falls
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
New issue of Irish Dairy Farmer out now
Aidan Brennan
New issue of Irish Dairy Farmer out now
The latest issue of the Irish Dairy Farmer magazine features farmers from across Ireland, Denmark and the US, writes Aidan Brennan.
Zoe Kavanagh to step down as National Dairy Council CEO in 2024
Amy Forde
Zoe Kavanagh to step down as National Dairy Council CEO in 2024
A formal recruitment process for a new chief executive of the NDC will commence immediately.
Caitríona Morrissey
Denmark’s derogation talks ‘one to watch’ for Ireland
e-Learning
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Trends: GDT increases by 1.6% as markets remain steady
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
Temporary sheep movements - keeping paperwork on track
Darren Carty
Temporary sheep movements - keeping paperwork on track
Festive Crackers gearing up for a cracking sale
Adam Woods
Festive Crackers gearing up for a cracking sale
Lamb quotes quickly rebound by 10c/kg
Darren Carty
Lamb quotes quickly rebound by 10c/kg
Sheep Trends: quotes rebound by 10c/kg as supplies tighten
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: quotes rebound by 10c/kg as supplies tighten
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Department inaction on fallen animal services ‘beyond unacceptable’
Amy Forde
Department inaction on fallen animal services ‘beyond unacceptable’
This incompetence has directly contributed to this issue now on farms where farmers are unable to have fallen animals collected, the IFA added.
IFA calls for deer recommendations to be implemented in new year
Anne O'Donoghue
IFA calls for deer recommendations to be implemented in new year
The recently published deer management report represents progress, the IFA has said.
PEDIGREE
Festive Crackers gearing up for a cracking sale
Adam Woods
Festive Crackers gearing up for a cracking sale
Calling all Texel lovers, Shanon Kinahan has all the details of the upcoming Festive Crackers sale of Texel Females.
Festive female fun in Randalstown
Shanon Kinahan
Festive female fun in Randalstown
Shanon Kinahan has all the details of the upcoming Jalex select festive female sale, which takes place on 30 December.
Nurturing sustainable futures: The EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland’s midlandsSPONSORED
Nurturing sustainable futures: The EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland’s midlands
In a bid to revitalise the midlands economy, Paddy Mathews, head of operations for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands at Fáilte Ireland, sheds light on the transformative power of the EU Just Transition Fund
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
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Grocery price inflation drops for seventh month in a row
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Grocery price inflation drops for seventh month in a row
Dunnes’ market share hits record high, latest Kantar analysis shows.
Commission President got agriculture the wrong way round
Phelim O'Neill
Commission President got agriculture the wrong way round
It is a pity that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen didn't deliver this year's speech to the Agriculture Outlook conference at her first conference in 2019.
Kerry survey is more than 50 questions that really only asks two
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Kerry survey is more than 50 questions that really only asks two
Co-op is trying to get a measure on where future milk suppliers might be.
Money rolling in to promote organic farming
Phelim O'Neill
Money rolling in to promote organic farming
Organic farming attracts funding from production through to promotion, much to the envy of farmers in other sectors.
TILLAGE
Average loss of €5,000 where winter crops not planted
Siobhán Walsh
Average loss of €5,000 where winter crops not planted
1 euro subscription
Amy Forde
Protein Aid Scheme payments issue to farmers
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: US expert talks crop insurance and grain markets
Declan O’Brien
Warnings of a Christmas spud shortage rubbished
Average loss of €5,000 where winter crops not planted 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
Alliance debuts Agriflex hybrid VF tyre range
Gary Abbott
Alliance debuts Agriflex hybrid VF tyre range
Yokohama off-highway tyres (YOHT) has launched the new Alliance Agriflex+ 373 hybrid VF tyre range, designed for both field applications and road transport.
Kverneland group appoints new president and CEO
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kverneland group appoints new president and CEO
Yasukazu Kamada will hand over his management of the Kverneland group on 1 January 2024 to Arild Gjerde as new president and CEO of the group.
Gary Abbott
New dealer appointed for Landini in Donegal
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Claas launches new generation of front loaders
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Amazone adds new Centaya-C Special with twin-chamber hopper
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
23.4ac of good land in quiet countryside
Paul Mooney
23.4ac of good land in quiet countryside
This is an area of intensive farming on good limestone land, writes Paul Mooney.
It’s all about location, location in Co Wexford
Paul Mooney
It’s all about location, location in Co Wexford
Located near Enniscorthy, this farm sits between the town and motorway, with plenty of road frontage, writes Paul Mooney.
Roscommon farm – the bread and butter of the farmland property market
Paul Mooney
Roscommon farm – the bread and butter of the farmland property market
This 55ac Ballintubber farm with a four-bed house and yard is within reach of many potential buyers, writes Paul Mooney.
BUILDINGS
174ha of agricultural construction receives planning permission
Martin Merrick
174ha of agricultural construction receives planning permission
The third quarter of 2023 has seen planning permissions granted rise by 37% when compared with the same period last year.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Agreed Irish position sought on Nature Restoration Law
Declan O’Brien
Agreed Irish position sought on Nature Restoration Law
The Irish amendment seeks to make the law optional for farmers and remove the obligation to re-wet drained peatlands or restore former habitats.
Minister seeks one year delay for new CAP peatland rules
Noel Bardon
Minister seeks one year delay for new CAP peatland rules
The Department of Agriculture is seeking the flexibility to push back the start date for new CAP peatland rules, which had been planned to take effect from January 2024.
RENEWABLES
Record breaking weeks for gas use and wind energy generation
Stephen Robb
Record breaking weeks for gas use and wind energy generation
Over the past two weeks, records have been shattered in the Irish energy system, both in terms of natural gas consumption and wind energy generation.
Renewable energy giant Ørsted to build 316ac solar farm in Carlow
Stephen Robb
Renewable energy giant Ørsted to build 316ac solar farm in Carlow
Located 15km outside of Carlow town, the 81MW solar development is expected to be operational by 2026.
FORESTRY
Licensing delays 'costing forestry jobs'
Declan O’Brien
Licensing delays 'costing forestry jobs'
The issuing of just three afforestation licences in a week wouldn't keep a whole lot of people active, private foresters pointed out.
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.
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.
NI fertiliser deliveries hit another new low
Peter McCann
NI fertiliser deliveries hit another new low
The new statistics back up reports from local merchants that fertiliser sales remained quiet throughout July, August, and September this year.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Life
Meet The Maker: ceramic artist Ola Wartak-Tolak
In this week’s Meet The Maker, Maria Moynihan chats to ceramic artist Ola Wartak-Tolak.
Meet The Maker: ceramic artist Ola Wartak-Tolak
Finance
Legal: ‘as a trained farmer, how do I claim for stamp relief’?
Entertainment
‘Connacht must regroup quickly for the next clash’
Comment
Katherine's Country: ‘the birth of every baby is special'
Life
Welcome to a week in the country
Irish Horse: Teahupoo toughs it out again in Hatton’s Grace
Ronan Groome
Irish Horse: Teahupoo toughs it out again in Hatton’s Grace
The Robcour-owned six-year-old further strengthened the lead of both Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy in their respective championships, writes Ronan Groome.
Editorial: cracking Christmas experiences on farms
Ciara Leahy
Editorial: cracking Christmas experiences on farms
From handpicking her Christmas tree to meeting the big man in red, Ciara Leahy kicks off the festive season with two farm experiences.
Margaret Leahy: things change, but the feeling of Christmas remains the same
Contributor
Margaret Leahy: things change, but the feeling of Christmas remains the same
Traditions are passed down, sure, but they also change with each generation - and that's not necessarily a bad thing, writes Margaret Leahy.
It’s all about location, location in Co Wexford
Paul Mooney
It’s all about location, location in Co Wexford
Located near Enniscorthy, this farm sits between the town and motorway, with plenty of road frontage, writes Paul Mooney.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Around Northern Ireland in pictures
Photo Desk
Around Northern Ireland in pictures
This week in photos: carrots, beets and Dairy day
Photo Desk
This week in photos: carrots, beets and Dairy day
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
VIEWPOINTS
Commission President got agriculture the wrong way round
Phelim O'Neill
Phelim O'Neill
Money rolling in to promote organic farming
Phelim O'Neill
Phelim O'Neill
Common sense needed for golden dairy era to continue
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Counting the cost of planning objections
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
MOST READ
Regan signs €20m-plus sale contract for Barne Estate
 
Regan signs €20m-plus sale contract for Barne Estate
Zetor readying 170hp four-pot, with a 250hp tractor in development
 
Zetor readying 170hp four-pot, with a 250hp tractor in development
Five tips to move store cattle into the finishing period
 
Five tips to move store cattle into the finishing period
2022 Massey Ferguson 6715S secures £68,000 at Fermanagh contractor auction
 
2022 Massey Ferguson 6715S secures £68,000 at Fermanagh contractor auction
Better genetics key to dairy beef success in Co Waterford
 
Better genetics key to dairy beef success in Co Waterford
An Taisce's nitrates case heads for High Court
 
An Taisce's nitrates case heads for High Court
Lower cow star ratings - are changing percentiles responsible?
 
Lower cow star ratings - are changing percentiles responsible?
Commission President got agriculture the wrong way round
 
Commission President got agriculture the wrong way round
Locals compete at land auctions
 
Locals compete at land auctions
Catch crops and beans cutting nitrogen use on Kepak's tillage farm
 
Catch crops and beans cutting nitrogen use on Kepak's tillage farm