My Country Living: hill farming and sheep shearing in Carlow
Tomas McCarthy runs a flock of sheep on the Blackstairs Mountains. He started shearing at the age of 16 and hasn’t stopped since. In conversation with Anne O’Donoghue
TOP STORIES
Lorry and load of hay destroyed in Monaghan fire
The fire was extinguished by Castleblayney and Ballybay fire brigades and no injuries have been reported.
Thunderstorms and rain to hit west and midlands
Thunderstorms are forecast in places on Friday afternoon and evening with lightning, hail and heavy downpours.
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Always take care when working near overhead electricity lines
Michael Murray, public safety manager with ESB Networks, highlights important precautions that should be taken when working near overhead electricity lines.
1,800 farmers get one-to-one water quality advice
The latest Teagasc Signpost webinar series gave an update on the progress of the ASSAP water quality collaboration between industry and farmers.
Webinar: heifer rearing – what is working for Dairylink farmers?
With very good grass supplies and excellent grass quality it's important to manage heifers to ensure they are on target.
Department to introduce satellite inspections for protein scheme applicants
The Department has said that the use of satellite data will have significant benefits for farmers.
Watch back: highlights from Crops 2021 in Oak Park
This week, hundreds of tillage farmers will descend on the Teagasc Crops Research Centre in Oak Park, Co Carlow.
Camera at the Mart: trade to match the temperatures in Blessington
Tuesday's sheep sale in Blessington saw huge demand for all classes of stock, with farmer buyers very active ringside.
Camera at the Mart: quality stock claiming top prices in Castlerea
Trade across most sections remains strong in Castlerea Mart as we arrive in mid-summer.
Camera at the Mart: lively trade for all classes in Ballybay
Factory agents were active for slaughter-fit lambs, while there was more farmers looking for store lambs and continued strong demand for well-fleshed ewes.
MartBids Database: numbers rising for month of July
Mart managers across the country are reporting record throughput for the month of July.
The Grass Week: managing grass during a drought
High temperatures and dry conditions hit growth rates in most parts of the country, writes John Crowe.
Watch: Farm Tech Talk - The Livestock Show
We hear why the sun continues to shine brightly on milk, beef and sheep prices and we hear what the European milk forum is doing.
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Why teaser bulls are leading the way in heat detection
Teaser bulls, otherwise known as vasectomised bulls, undergo a surgical procedure which makes them infertile approximately five to six weeks after the operation is carried out by a veterinarian
Webinar: heifer rearing – what is working for Dairylink farmers?
With very good grass supplies and excellent grass quality it's important to manage heifers to ensure they are on target.
Commissioner keen for animal welfare eco scheme measures in Ireland
“My personal intention is to increase the expenditure for animal welfare," the Commissioner has said.
Eco schemes a ‘significant change’ for farmers - McConalogue
Eco schemes are a reflection of the higher level of environmental ambition of the CAP, Minister for Agricultute Charlie McConalogue has said.
Using your Beef HealthCheck results
Natascha Meunier, Beef HealthCheck programme manager with AHI, takes a look at using healthcheck reports and what farmers should look out for.
SPONSOREDDon’t give docks a second chance
Unfavourable weather conditions in late April and during the first half of May limited the opportunities for a pre-harvest herbicide application to dock-infested silage swards.
SPONSOREDTillage farmers getting set for autumn drilling
Seedtech is hosting its trade walks in trial grounds in Faithlegg, Co Waterford, which will bring news from its extensive research trials programme.
SPONSOREDProtect your future yields with Zoetis
Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a hidden disease in many beef and dairy herds, and one that can prove costly.
SPONSOREDCommunity benefit a key theme from Shaping Our Electricity Future consultation
EirGrid, operator of the national electricity grid, will next week close its nationwide consultation on Shaping Our Electricity Future.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1
The Irish Farmers Journal visited some of Maizetech's trials in Co Wexford to see how the plastic and compostable covers compare.
We visited Patsy O’Connor from Kilroosky, Co. Roscommon, whose wife Lucy lost her life as a result of a farming accident in 2014. This series is being run in conjunction with ESB Networks as part of our Safe Family Farms joint initiative.
On this week’s show, we talk eight year record beef prices with Adam Woods, lamb prices nudging upwards with Darren Carty and all things sustainable dairy with Aidan Brennan and John O’Loughlin from Grassland AGRO.
Jack Kennedy is joined by John O’Loughlin, Sustainability & Technical Specialist at Grassland AGRO. John discusses all things sustainable dairy.
Jack Kennedy discusses all things heifer rearing with DairyLink Ireland adviser Aidan Cushnahan.
Twenty-two years on from its initial launch, Pöttinger has just taken the wraps off its latest Jumbo forage wagon. Peter Thomas Keaveney travelled to Wexford to take a look at a pre-series machine in action.
A selection of our favourite pictures from around the country including evening milking, wool collection, turning hay, collecting hay and a community tractor run.
Dock-infested silage swards that were cut in recent weeks are now at the ideal stage for spraying with an effective herbicide. Listen to our Technical Manager, Chris Maughan as he outlines his advice for getting the most from Doxstar Pro.
Whelehan Crop Protection Social Channels:
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Spreadpoint, the Co Down based machinery manufacturer, has just taken the wraps off a new 12m stainless steel auger system for applying lime to run on its range of belt spreaders.
Jack Kennedy is joined by Zoe Kavanagh, Chief Executive of the National Dairy Council and Donagh Berry, Teagasc Geneticist and Director of VistaMilk, to discuss the new science that is going to help livestock farming.
Farm loans included in Ulster Bank loan sale to Permanent TSB
The value of these farm loans and the amount of farmers affected is not known at this stage.
No surprises in Mercosur impact assessment
Government's economic impact assessment of Mercosur trade deal for Ireland confirms that beef producers are the only loser.
Reopening the NI Protocol deal
UK ‘command paper’ won’t make friends in Brussels but it was never designed to do that.
Dairy Trends: GDT falls again as global supply issues emerge
The New Zealand auction of dairy commodities fell again this week, as global supply issues begin to emerge.
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Market Insights: unprecedented year for sheepmeat
Seamus McMenamin, Bord Bia sheep sector manager, examines the record performance of the Irish sheepmeat sector.
Top tips to keep your machinery running cool this harvest
Gary Abbott offers readers some tips and advice on how to help keep machines running cool this harvest and help prevent the risk of unwanted disasters during the current dry spell.
Over 78,000 tractors taxed in Ireland, but what brand is the most popular?
Peter Thomas Keaveney takes a look at Department of Transport figures which show the number of tractors currently licensed in each county and we reveal Ireland’s most popular tractor brands.
McConnel updates Robocuts RC56 and RC75
McConnel has updated two of its larger Robocut models, the RC56 and RC75 moving to Stave V engines as well as making structural and performance improvements.
Suffolk records smashed in Lanark sheep sale
The sale had a number of five-figure sums which helped boost average sale price to nearly £5,000.
Scenic Kerry hill farm generating plenty of interest
The payment entitlements on offer with the farm may well rise in value under the next CAP. The farm offers access to other payment schemes as well.
20ac for sale in scenic west Cork
The land is very good quality and currently sown to a crop of spring barley.
Large Georgian house with 22.4ac in Mayo
The land is described by the auctioneer as very good grazing and meadow ground,
The top safety risks in farm buildings
The theme for this year’s Farm Safety Week is ‘Rethink Safety’ and all farmers should put aside some time to assess just how safe their farm is and identify hazardous aspects that can be improved.
Making a plan for a multispecies sward on Tullamore Farm
Once the middle of August passes, it is getting late to plant multispecies swards. It is important to make a plan before planting.
€160m secured for 650ac of solar farms in Wexford and Meath
The solar projects will be two of the largest in the country and have secured 15 year ongoing support under the first competitive Renewable Electricity Support Scheme
Forestry projects awarded €1.4m in funding
A number of multi-functional forestry projects which will receive funding under the Department’s Woodland Support Scheme have been announced.
Anger over further 30-day delays to forestry licences
Planting, harvesting and roading applications, requiring Appropriate Assessment, now subject to a total of 60 days public participation.
Weekly news round-up from NI agri-food
News in-brief from across the Northern Ireland agri-food industry this week.
Factories take 50p/kg off lamb prices
Processors in NI have applied severe price cuts, although some factory agents think the market could soon turn again.
Scottish Prices: good trade continues for sheep and cattle farmers
Good price for cattle and sheep continues in Scotland.
Scottish market steady for cattle and sheep this week
Scottish beef and lamb market looks little changed in the last week.
Life
My Country Living: hill farming and sheep shearing in Carlow
Tomas McCarthy runs a flock of sheep on the Blackstairs Mountains. He started shearing at the age of 16 and hasn’t stopped since. In conversation with Anne O’Donoghue
Dear Miriam: my daughter won’t take the vaccine
Dear Miriam, my daughter won’t take the vaccine and it’s causing agro between us
Damien’s Diary: touchdown in Tokyo, finally
After rigorous checks, I've finally arrived in Tokyo for the Olympic games but it will be a year like no other, writes Damien O’Reilly.
‘Hurling from the gods’ as Limerick flex their muscles
Limerick’s barnstorming second half of the Munster final showed exactly why they remain the team to beat, writes Denis Hurley.
Are there more buzzards about or was I just oblivious to what’s around me?
Stick with holidaying at home or now that you can travel or go abroad for a holiday? If there is nothing more than weather taking you, will you go? Amii McKeever is staying put.
