TOP STORIES
News
Cattle prod among items seized in garda raid
James Hanly
Four men - three aged in their 20s and one in his 30s - were arrested in the raids targeting the group based in Co Galway and neighbouring counties.
Cattle prod among items seized in garda raid
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Farmers warned of high lead poisoning risk for livestock in spring
James Hanly
Farmers warned of high lead poisoning risk for livestock in spring
Lead is highly toxic to animals, mainly affecting cattle and sheep, with calves being particularly at risk due to their increased susceptibility and curious nature.
2025 Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme opens
James Hanly
2025 Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme opens
The groups are led by a professional forester and encourage participants to engage with forestry groups and professionals.
James Hanly
€32m payments under Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme issued
James Hanly
Meehan appointed head of Teagasc water quality department
Stephen Robb
Investment in ESB grid long overdue - MREF
Understanding how business structures influence land purchases SPONSORED
Understanding how business structures influence land purchases
It is crucial to understand how your business structure impacts your decision when purchasing land.
MART REPORTS
Watch: Northern buyers light up Elphin heifer trade
Adam Woods
Watch: Northern buyers light up Elphin heifer trade
Adam Woods has the latest from Elphin mart’s special beef heifer sale which took place on Wednesday 5 February.
Watch: clearance sale of 180 in-lamb ewes average €265 in Roscrea Mart
Darren Carty
Watch: clearance sale of 180 in-lamb ewes average €265 in Roscrea Mart
Prices ranged in the main from €235 to €300, with a couple of lots of Scottish Blackface ewes selling back to €160/head.
Sheep mart prices: agents more keen for hoggets
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: agents more keen for hoggets
Mart managers report agents exhibiting greater bite for hoggets as the week progresses, with prices steadying and firming by in cases by €1 to €3/head.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Farmer Writes: what price is too dear?
James Strain
Farmer Writes: what price is too dear?
Watch: Northern buyers light up Elphin heifer trade
Adam Woods
Watch: Northern buyers light up Elphin heifer trade
Angus bull sells for UK breed record of £65,600
Nevan McKiernan
Angus bull sells for UK breed record of £65,600
Beef price update: quotes move up again
Adam Woods
Beef price update: quotes move up again
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Lakeland Dairies holds milk price
Rachel Donovan
Lakeland Dairies holds milk price
Global dairy markets in 2025 remain relatively stable, with supply and demand largely in balance, a spokesperson for Lakeland Dairies has said.
Dairy Management: superb grazing conditions in most places
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Management: superb grazing conditions in most places
Grass dry matters must be very high, as cows are getting longer out of paddocks than first expected, writes Aidan Brennan.
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: using slurry and chemical N wisely
e-Learning
Anne O'Donoghue
Marginal drop in milk intake last year
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
Waterford Blackface in-lamb female sale tops at €1,540
Rachel Gallagher
Waterford Blackface in-lamb female sale tops at €1,540
Farmer Writes: what price is too dear?
James Strain
Farmer Writes: what price is too dear?
Sheep price update: factory quotes up 20c/kg and mart prices €2 to €5/head
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: factory quotes up 20c/kg and mart prices €2 to €5/head
Dog warden criticises ‘very limited’ power with sheep kills
James Hanly
Dog warden criticises ‘very limited’ power with sheep kills
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Beef management notes: slurry, fertiliser and cattle grading
Adam Woods
Beef management notes: slurry, fertiliser and cattle grading
Adam Woods takes a look at some tips and advice for drystock farms in this week's beef management notes.
Three cases of bird flu reported in 2025
James Hanly
Three cases of bird flu reported in 2025
Analysis of World Organisation for Animal Health data has shown that there have been three cases of avian flu reported in wild birds so far this year.
PEDIGREE
Waterford Blackface in-lamb female sale tops at €1,540
Rachel Gallagher
Waterford Blackface in-lamb female sale tops at €1,540
Rachel Gallagher reports from Dungarvan Mart for the fourth annual Waterford Blackface Sheep Breeders Association female sale.
Angus bull sells for UK breed record of £65,600
Nevan McKiernan
Angus bull sells for UK breed record of £65,600
Nevan McKiernan reports on the inaugural HW Netherton Angus bull sale in Scotland.
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.
Wicklow dairy farmer boosts efficiency with GAIN Easi-MixSPONSORED
Wicklow dairy farmer boosts efficiency with GAIN Easi-Mix
Wicklow farmer John Wynne farms alongside his mother Frances on their dairy and tillage farm near Baltinglass.
Understanding how business structures influence land purchasesSPONSORED
Understanding how business structures influence land purchases
It is crucial to understand how your business structure impacts your decision when purchasing land.
CycleØ progressing with €100m investment plans in Ireland SPONSORED
CycleØ progressing with €100m investment plans in Ireland
CycleØ Group, the leading end-to-end biomethane platform that builds, owns and operates plants in Europe confirms that its investment plans are progressing, with sites planned in Limerick and Kildare.
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AGRIBUSINESS
Grocery inflation eased slightly in January
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Grocery inflation eased slightly in January
Storm Éowyn effect visible in shopping data for the month, according to Kantar.
New beef export record for Brazil
Phelim O'Neill
New beef export record for Brazil
Brazil's beef exports increase at an exceptional rate in 2024
China’s beef imports increased again in 2024
Phelim O'Neill
China’s beef imports increased again in 2024
The rate of China’s beef imports increase has slowed down in recent years, but still increased in 2024, while pork and sheepmeat imports fell.
The success of Kerry Group should be celebrated
Lorcan Roche Kelly
The success of Kerry Group should be celebrated
It's now up to the next generation of farmers to see if they can repeat the growth with their new co-op.
TILLAGE
€32m payments under Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme issued
James Hanly
€32m payments under Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme issued
Wexford family wins Tirlán grain award
Siobhán Walsh
Wexford family wins Tirlán grain award
Farmers at ‘bottom of the barrel’ in Boormalt cuts - IFA
James Hanly
Farmers at ‘bottom of the barrel’ in Boormalt cuts - IFA
Boortmalt cuts malting barley contracts
Siobhán Walsh
No new supports for tillage this season
€32m payments under Tillage and Horticulture Support Scheme issued SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Amazone expands Cenio cultivator range with 4m folding model
Gary Abbott
Amazone expands Cenio cultivator range with 4m folding model
Amazone has expanded its Cenio cultivator range with the addition of a new 4000-2 4m folding model.
Vervaet updates Q beet harvester
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Vervaet updates Q beet harvester
Vervaet is introducing an updated version of the Vervaet Q-616 beet harvester with a new cab, a range of technical improvements, updated styling and numerous new options.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
French spreading perfection with Sulky
Gary Abbott
Two decades of reliability with Rauch spreaders on large Louth tillage farm
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Spring Machinery Show attracts big crowds with a positive attitude to the Eikon
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
Prices in Longford return to normal after bumper 2023
Paul Mooney
Prices in Longford return to normal after bumper 2023
Average price was €9,811/ac, a large from the highs of the year before.
Limerick land sees a little dip in 2024
Paul Mooney
Limerick land sees a little dip in 2024
Seling prices ranged from €4,091/ac to a maximum of €25,481/ac. Dairy farmers continued to be the most active buyers.
Dublin prices fall 30%, but still highest in the country
Paul Mooney
Dublin prices fall 30%, but still highest in the country
There's top class land in the north of the county but full-time farmers struggle to compete when it goes on sale.
BUILDINGS
Reader question: powering my farm with a generator
Martin Merrick
Reader question: powering my farm with a generator
Martin Merrick details what to look for when it comes to generators for both dairy and drystock farms, and the grants available.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Over 1,600 farmers engaged in hen harrier conservation project
James Hanly
Over 1,600 farmers engaged in hen harrier conservation project
This comes from the final report of the Hen Harrier Project European Innovation Partnership, which operated between 2017 and 2023.
Meehan appointed head of Teagasc water quality department
James Hanly
Meehan appointed head of Teagasc water quality department
The appointment was approved at a recent Teagasc meeting as part of the expansion of its environment knowledge transfer activities with two new departments.
RENEWABLES
Investment in ESB grid long overdue - MREF
Stephen Robb
Investment in ESB grid long overdue - MREF
The group said that it estimates that there is enough roof space on farms and businesses to install over 3,000MW of renewable energy without losing even one acre of good land from food production.
Bord na Móna recycling sale criticised
Stephen Robb
Bord na Móna recycling sale criticised
Sinn Féin senator Maria McCormack has called for the Government should intervene to stop sell off of Bord na Móna recycling to KWD recycling.
FORESTRY
2025 Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme opens
James Hanly
2025 Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme opens
The groups are led by a professional forester and encourage participants to engage with forestry groups and professionals.
Storm Éowyn flattened €700m worth of timber
Declan O’Brien
Storm Éowyn flattened €700m worth of timber
The amount of timber damaged and on the ground is around three times the volume processed each year by the Irish saw milling industry.
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: cattle quotes leap another 20p/kg
David Wright
Northern View: cattle quotes leap another 20p/kg
The cattle trade in NI continues to drive on, with much higher quotes available.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Building a home in rural Ireland
Road frontage is no longer the sexy term it was once was - with planning permission so hard to get.
Building a home in rural Ireland
Property
Free Land Report in this week's paper
Life
Cornus brings a fiery display
Property
€2m guide for Wexford dairy farm at auction
Property
Pair of compact Connacht holdings ‘ideal opportunity for young farmer’
‘This is my All-Ireland final, being a proud Tipp artist’
Deirdre Verney
‘This is my All-Ireland final, being a proud Tipp artist’
Camán to this comedic one-man show where Cathal Ryan brings hurling and drama together.
‘The sight of those bright yellow ESB vans pulling into the drive was wonderful'
Deirdre Verney
‘The sight of those bright yellow ESB vans pulling into the drive was wonderful'
After storm Éowyn, communities came together, neighbours helped neighbours and the ESB came to our rescue.
Going, going, gone – find a career under the hammer
Sarah McIntosh
Going, going, gone – find a career under the hammer
Auctioneers play a major role in the agricultural sector in rural Ireland, and there are many different pathways into this vital career, writes Sarah McIntosh.
Lack of knowledge a stumbling block to securing planning
Jacqueline Hogge
Lack of knowledge a stumbling block to securing planning
Local authorities suggest poor advice and a lack of knowledge are among the reasons people in rural areas are being refused planning permission for a home
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: this week in photos as farmers attend walks, roadshows and talks
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers attend walks, roadshows and talks
Watch: the week Ireland was hit by storm Éowyn
Photo Desk
Watch: the week Ireland was hit by storm Éowyn
In pictures: IFA 70th annual general meeting
Contributor
In pictures: IFA 70th annual general meeting
In pictures: 70th IFA annual general meeting
Contributor
In pictures: 70th IFA annual general meeting
VIEWPOINTS
View from China: Sri Lanka - opportunities in the emerald isle of the east
Contributor
Contributor
Editorial: still no power in the aftermath of storm Éowyn
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Home Farm: spurt in beef and cattle prices
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Dempsey at Large: Irish farming caught in a cost / regulatory squeeze
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
MOST READ
Camera at the Mart: Friesian calf prices holding
 
Camera at the Mart: Friesian calf prices holding
Watch: Northern buyers light up Elphin heifer trade
 
Watch: Northern buyers light up Elphin heifer trade
Co Kerry gets the lion’s share of Kerry Group bonanza
 
Co Kerry gets the lion’s share of Kerry Group bonanza
Boortmalt cuts malting barley contracts
 
Boortmalt cuts malting barley contracts
Revealed: biggest winners from Kerry share bonanza
 
Revealed: biggest winners from Kerry share bonanza
Farmers warned of high lead poisoning risk for livestock in spring
 
Farmers warned of high lead poisoning risk for livestock in spring
Farmers at ‘bottom of the barrel’ in Boormalt cuts - IFA
 
Farmers at ‘bottom of the barrel’ in Boormalt cuts - IFA
New rules for peaty soils run against EU plans to cut red tape - IFA
 
New rules for peaty soils run against EU plans to cut red tape - IFA
Watch: clearance sale of 180 in-lamb ewes average €265 in Roscrea Mart
 
Watch: clearance sale of 180 in-lamb ewes average €265 in Roscrea Mart
Beef price update: quotes move up again
 
Beef price update: quotes move up again