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News
Over €1.1m paid out in septic tank grants this year
James Hanly
The average grant paid out so far this year is €9,987, which is 6% higher than the €9,372 paid out on average last year.
Over €1.1m paid out in septic tank grants this year
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Lakeland Dairies sets milk price for April
James Hanly
Lakeland Dairies sets milk price for April
A spokesperson for Lakeland Dairies said: “The global dairy markets remain relatively stable at present despite geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over the global economic performance."
Mullooly presents reform plan to 'reduce bureaucracy' in farming
James Hanly
Mullooly presents reform plan to 'reduce bureaucracy' in farming
The MEP wrote to European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Christophe Hansen about his family farm reform plan in which he praised his “openness to dialogue".
James Hanly
Department must pay for additional TB test – TD
James Hanly
Keogh's Farm wins award at National Enterprise Awards
James Hanly
Farmers concerned over Sligo/Leitrim railway greenway – IFA
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 price update: pressure remains on hogget price
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: pressure remains on hogget price
Factory agents are focused on curtailing hogget prices to €8.50/kg to €8.60/kg, leaving specialist finishers with significant numbers trading into a challenging market.
Camera at the Mart: all systems go as calf price strengthens in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: all systems go as calf price strengthens in Bandon
Supply is noticeably dropping off and this is resulting in prices remaining on a very firm footing at the weekly calf sale in Bandon Mart.
Camera at the Mart: demand for ewes with lambs in Tuam
Darren Carty
Camera at the Mart: demand for ewes with lambs in Tuam
The best trade on the evening was for good-quality ewes with lambs, ewe hoggets for breeding and fleshed cull ewes.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Beef trade steady as numbers remain tight
Adam Woods
Beef trade steady as numbers remain tight
Camera at the Mart: all systems go as calf price strengthens in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: all systems go as calf price strengthens in Bandon
Department must pay for additional TB test – TD
James Hanly
Department must pay for additional TB test – TD
US suspends Mexican cattle imports over parasite risk
James Hanly
US suspends Mexican cattle imports over parasite risk
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Lakeland Dairies sets milk price for April
James Hanly
Lakeland Dairies sets milk price for April
A spokesperson for Lakeland Dairies said: “The global dairy markets remain relatively stable at present despite geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over the global economic performance."
Department must pay for additional TB test – TD
James Hanly
Department must pay for additional TB test – TD
It comes as Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has voiced his intention to “move quickly” to refine the TB Eradication Programme following the TB summit on Thursday.
James Hanly
US suspends Mexican cattle imports over parasite risk
e-Learning
Amy Forde
Why farmers should be wary of old car batteries and paint tins
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 price update: pressure remains on hogget price
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: pressure remains on hogget price
Lamb dies of copper poisoning from cattle feed
James Hanly
Lamb dies of copper poisoning from cattle feed
Why farmers should be wary of old car batteries and paint tins
Amy Forde
Why farmers should be wary of old car batteries and paint tins
Shearfest 2025 gets a European makeover
Darren Carty
Shearfest 2025 gets a European makeover
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
‘Crude’ and ‘unnecessary’ elements of new TB plans must be dropped - IFA
Noel Bardon
‘Crude’ and ‘unnecessary’ elements of new TB plans must be dropped - IFA
The IFA has identified a set of proposed TB measures it said must be amended by the minister and his department.
Minister plans to move quickly to introduce new TB measures
Amy Forde
Minister plans to move quickly to introduce new TB measures
Minister Heydon held an emergency TB summit with farm organisations and other stakeholders on Thursday.
PEDIGREE
Carrick continental sale sees Limousin lead the way
Nevan McKiernan
Carrick continental sale sees Limousin lead the way
Farmers were keen to source a bull for the breeding season at the showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday, writes Nevan McKiernan.
British and Irish Aberdeen Angus youths excel at World Competition
Nevan McKiernan
British and Irish Aberdeen Angus youths excel at World Competition
Young Angus enthusiasts from Ireland and the UK took part in the World Angus Youth Competition in Australia this week, writes Nevan McKiernan.
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
Tirlán appoints new board members
Amy Forde
Tirlán appoints new board members
Kildare dairy farmer and chartered accountant join the Tirlán board following the co-op's AGM.
Record Australian beef exports for April
Phelim O'Neill
Record Australian beef exports for April
Australian beef exports in a golden age with no negative impact of Trump tariffs so far .
US says UK trade deal includes beef exports
Lorcan Roche Kelly
US says UK trade deal includes beef exports
US Trade Secretary says deal opens access to UK market for US beef.
FBD has settled almost two-thirds of customer claims from Éowyn
Lorcan Roche Kelly
FBD has settled almost two-thirds of customer claims from Éowyn
Meeting of shareholders of insurer hears update on trading for the year to date.
TILLAGE
Teagasc to host eight organic crop walks
James Hanly
Teagasc to host eight organic crop walks
Keeping spring barley clean with T1 fungicide
Siobhán Walsh
Keeping spring barley clean with T1 fungicide
Tillage Podcast: rust, rules and plant protection products
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: rust, rules and plant protection products
Grain Trends: markets fall further
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Management: low disease pressure and spraying weather
Teagasc to host eight organic crop walks SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Blaney to launch farmer innovation programme at Balmoral Show
Gary Abbott
Blaney to launch farmer innovation programme at Balmoral Show
The Blaney Group is returning to Balmoral Show to launch its new innovator programme to encourage the public to share new ideas and be in with a chance to secure £50,000 worth of investment.
Kubota adds value line steering to guidance portfolio
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kubota adds value line steering to guidance portfolio
Kubota has introduced an entry-level auto-steer package called 'value line steering' for its agricultural and ground care machinery.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Lemken precision planter busy sowing maize in the premier county
Gary Abbott
Row spraying cuts veg grower's spray use by up to 60%
Gary Abbott
New Holland TM 120 makes €76,120 at auction
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
Pristine cattle shed comes with Navan holding
Paul Mooney
Pristine cattle shed comes with Navan holding
Cattle farmers will be interested in this parcel of land which is in a good location and soon heading for auction.
Sunset House shines bright with equestrian yard for €1.25m in Co Meath
Paul Mooney
Sunset House shines bright with equestrian yard for €1.25m in Co Meath
This property includes a five bedroomed house of just over 2,000 sq. ft.
Tillage land in the sunny south-east going for auction later this month
Paul Mooney
Tillage land in the sunny south-east going for auction later this month
This farm will be offered for sale at a public auction in a number of lots.
BUILDINGS
Is a new small scale dairy now viable to create?
Martin Merrick
Is a new small scale dairy now viable to create?
Martin Merrick highlights some of the infrastructure costs to setting up a new dairy enterprise, and if it’s a runner at all.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Almost €18m allocated to new farm sustainability EIPs
Noel Bardon
Almost €18m allocated to new farm sustainability EIPs
There will be 11 new pilot projects focused on farming and the environment running over four or five years.
Government purchases 6ha corncrake breeding site in Belmullet
James Hanly
Government purchases 6ha corncrake breeding site in Belmullet
The 5.75ha site will provide protection and a sustainable food source for corncrakes.
RENEWABLES
Anaerobic digestion eligible for SBCI loans
Stephen Robb
Anaerobic digestion eligible for SBCI loans
The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme provides up to €3m in low-cost loans for up to 10 years from participating banks and financial institutions.
Irish Farmers Journal wins gold at Media Awards
Amy Forde
Irish Farmers Journal wins gold at Media Awards
The Irish Farmers Journal team won gold at the Media Awards on Thursday night in Dublin.
FORESTRY
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”.
Sharp increase in Irish sawlog exports forecast
Declan O’Brien
Sharp increase in Irish sawlog exports forecast
LJR Forestry have 25,000t of sawlog exports scheduled for May, and that should increase by 10,000t for June.
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
Shows, sales and events happening across the NI farming industry over the next week
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Editorial: dancing around the May Bush to welcome summer
A traditional custom that stretches back thousands of years is being kept alive in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Editorial: dancing around the May Bush to welcome summer
Irish Horse
Irish Horse: reins at the ready for 2025 Balmoral Show
Finance
How to make a complaint and get the right results
Food
Women have key roles ‘feeding and nurturing rural communities’
Life
‘I may not be milking cows five nights a week - but I am contributing'
WFA mentorship programme assists women in agri sector
Sarah McIntosh
WFA mentorship programme assists women in agri sector
The global project aims to make an impact on gender diversity in agriculture.
Residential farm holding in Newport - part of this farm is designated SPA
Paul Mooney
Residential farm holding in Newport - part of this farm is designated SPA
The farm is a mix of good grazing land and plainer quality mountain land.
Neven Maguire: new hook on Irish seafood
Neven Maguire
Neven Maguire: new hook on Irish seafood
Try these flavourful Mediterranean-inspired recipes for a new way to enjoy fish at home.
Eyrecourt Demesne and farm in Co Galway could be yours for €2.5m
Paul Mooney
Eyrecourt Demesne and farm in Co Galway could be yours for €2.5m
This large and well-appointed holding offers plenty of opportunities for dairy/equestrian interests.
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: how long will the improved beef price last?
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Colm McCarthy: Lower tax rate on green diesel is not a subsidy
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
Dempsey at Large: reflections on Glanbia's AGM
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
The horse industry in China: smoke and mirrors or the next big thing?
Contributor
Contributor
MOST READ
Camera at the Mart: all systems go as calf price strengthens in Bandon
 
Camera at the Mart: all systems go as calf price strengthens in Bandon
In pictures: local farmers bale silage in aid of Pieta House
 
In pictures: local farmers bale silage in aid of Pieta House
Dairygold's concerned shareholders committee responds to legal letter
 
Dairygold's concerned shareholders committee responds to legal letter
Beef trade steady as numbers remain tight
 
Beef trade steady as numbers remain tight
Healy-Rae's comments on peatland planting sparks war of words
 
Healy-Rae's comments on peatland planting sparks war of words
Farm Tech Talk: beef prices, schemes round up and feeding dairy cows
 
Farm Tech Talk: beef prices, schemes round up and feeding dairy cows
Farmers concerned over Sligo/Leitrim railway greenway – IFA
 
Farmers concerned over Sligo/Leitrim railway greenway – IFA
Carrick continental sale sees Limousin lead the way
 
Carrick continental sale sees Limousin lead the way
US suspends Mexican cattle imports over parasite risk
 
US suspends Mexican cattle imports over parasite risk
Losing young farmers is a threat to EU food production – Hansen
 
Losing young farmers is a threat to EU food production – Hansen