TOP STORIES
News
Donations sought to save Beltra Agricultural Show venue
James Hanly
Beltra Hall - halfway between Ballysadare and Skreen - is the home of the annual Beltra Agricultural Show and it is in need of a new roof due to recent weather events.
Donations sought to save Beltra Agricultural Show venue
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Lakeland Dairies launches young farmer programme
James Hanly
Lakeland Dairies launches young farmer programme
The programme is open to milk suppliers in the co-op and adult family members of suppliers who are under the age of 35.
Single atypical BSE case confirmed on English farm
James Hanly
Single atypical BSE case confirmed on English farm
Atypical BSE is a naturally occurring, non-contagious disease in cattle which occurs spontaneously and is different from classical BSE, which is linked to contaminated feed.
James Hanly
Less than 13% of farmers able to progress careers – FRS Co-op
James Hanly
Minister Heydon to present revised TB plan to farm organisations
James Hanly
Three Russell Meats products being recalled from shops
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
Camera at the Mart: heavy calves a great trade in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: heavy calves a great trade in Bandon
Demand remained strong in Bandon Mart for all types of calves but the performance of heavy calves really caught the eye, with shippers extremely active at the ringside this week.
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.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
James Hanly
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
James Hanly
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
Angus bull tops Kilkenny May sale at €7,100
Nevan McKiernan
Angus bull tops Kilkenny May sale at €7,100
Single atypical BSE case confirmed on English farm
James Hanly
Single atypical BSE case confirmed on English farm
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Cheddar down more than 9% at Global Dairy Trade
James Hanly
Cheddar down more than 9% at Global Dairy Trade
The average price paid for dairy products at this week’s auction was €4,075/t.
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
James Hanly
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
The latest Crops and Livestock Survey found that the total population of cattle that month 7,183,100.
James Hanly
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
e-Learning
James Hanly
Minister Heydon to present revised TB plan to farm organisations
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
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
James Hanly
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
James Hanly
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
Next CAP must protect family farm model - INHFA
James Hanly
Next CAP must protect family farm model - INHFA
Sheep price update: factory hogget quotes drop below €8/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: factory hogget quotes drop below €8/kg
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
Angus bull tops Kilkenny May sale at €7,100
Nevan McKiernan
Angus bull tops Kilkenny May sale at €7,100
Kilkenny Agricultural Show Society held its final bull sale of 2025 on Wednesday 14 May, writes Nevan McKiernan.
Charolais breeders prepare for showdown in Ballyjamesduff
Nevan McKiernan
Charolais breeders prepare for showdown in Ballyjamesduff
The North Eastern Charolais Club will host its Rising Stars Calf Show in Ballyjamesduff Mart on Saturday 24 May, 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
EU and UK unveil plan to cut Brexit bureaucracy
Phelim O'Neill
EU and UK unveil plan to cut Brexit bureaucracy
The EU and UK met for a post-Brexit reset summit in London and revealed a framework to negotiate an SPS deal to eliminate veterinary certificates and slash inspections.
Ifac acquires Kilkenny accounting firm
Noel Bardon
Ifac acquires Kilkenny accounting firm
Ifac has said that the acquisition strengthens its position in the top 10 accountancy firms in the country.
US beef exports steady as Brazil surges
Phelim O'Neill
US beef exports steady as Brazil surges
US export data for March is robust but challenges will be in place for second quarter of 2025.
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.
TILLAGE
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
Siobhán Walsh
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
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
Grain Trends: markets fall further
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far 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
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.
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.
BUILDINGS
Equine fencing gets new specifications under TAMS
Martin Merrick
Equine fencing gets new specifications under TAMS
The new specifications mainly involve the erection of horse mesh fencing.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
Siobhán Walsh
300 apply for catch crops scheme so far
The Farming for Water EIP gives farmers flexibility on the area of catch crops they plant and the fields they plant each year.
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.
RENEWABLES
Solar farms reach new generation record - EirGrid
Stephen Robb
Solar farms reach new generation record - EirGrid
Irish solar farms set a new generation record over the weekend, producing 752MW of power thanks to the sunny weather.
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.
FORESTRY
Storm Éowyn windblown timber will be processed in 18 months
James Hanly
Storm Éowyn windblown timber will be processed in 18 months
Forest Industries Ireland analysed sawmilling capacity in Ireland and found that more than 30 new timber harvesting machines have been brought into the country since January.
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.
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 photos as farmers tackle silage, sales and summer prep
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers tackle silage, sales and summer prep
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
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
Ifac acquires Kilkenny accounting firm
 
Ifac acquires Kilkenny accounting firm
Camera at the Mart: heavy calves a great trade in Bandon
 
Camera at the Mart: heavy calves a great trade in Bandon
Inquiries ongoing into Kilkenny tractor crash
 
Inquiries ongoing into Kilkenny tractor crash
Dairy Management: pica and low milk urea nitrogen
 
Dairy Management: pica and low milk urea nitrogen
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no livestock
 
Professor Luke O’Neill: future farms will have no livestock
Next CAP must protect family farm model - INHFA
 
Next CAP must protect family farm model - INHFA
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
 
Cattle and sheep numbers fall, CSO data shows
Angus bull tops Kilkenny May sale at €7,100
 
Angus bull tops Kilkenny May sale at €7,100
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
 
European farmers march on Brussels over CAP budget
Single atypical BSE case confirmed on English farm
 
Single atypical BSE case confirmed on English farm