TOP STORIES
News
Next CAP must be increased to ensure Irish food security - Walsh
Rachel Donovan
MEP Walsh tables over 30 proposals to strengthen CAP certainty and income stability for Irish farmers.
Next CAP must be increased to ensure Irish food security - Walsh
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Latest chapter in turbulent decade for trade
Phelim O'Neill
Latest chapter in turbulent decade for trade
The knock-on effect of Trump tariffs will be a push by the EU to further diversify trade - and that means trade deals.
90% increase in BVD positive calves
Darren Carty
90% increase in BVD positive calves
The increase to 359 head stems from some herds recording significant breakdowns with the herd prevalence increasing by less than 20%.
Peter McCann
Genus to stop all AI visits to NI farms
Peter McCann
Most badgers forage same fields as cattle
Peter McCann
Rush for entitlements with deadline looming
Always check for underground pipelines before starting a dig SPONSORED
Always check for underground pipelines before starting a dig
Whether you are a landowner, forestry operator, farmer or contractor, always check for underground pipelines before undertaking groundworks.
MART REPORTS
Exporters continue to drive weanling bull trade
Adam Woods
Exporters continue to drive weanling bull trade
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s happening in the country’s marts.
Sheep price update: hoggets and lambs fall by another €3 to €5/head
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: hoggets and lambs fall by another €3 to €5/head
Agents have shown less of an appetite for sheep this week, with factories reportedly handling lower numbers.
Grass buyers push ewe and lamb prices in Brockagh
Rachel Gallagher
Grass buyers push ewe and lamb prices in Brockagh
Rachel Gallagher reports from Brockagh Cloghan mart for their Easter bank holiday sale.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
90% increase in BVD positive calves
Darren Carty
90% increase in BVD positive calves
Beef cattle finishers advised to hang tough
Adam Woods
Beef cattle finishers advised to hang tough
Actions confirmed for National Beef Welfare Scheme
Darren Carty
Actions confirmed for National Beef Welfare Scheme
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
Noel Bardon
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
90% increase in BVD positive calves
Darren Carty
90% increase in BVD positive calves
The increase to 359 head stems from some herds recording significant breakdowns with the herd prevalence increasing by less than 20%.
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
Noel Bardon
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
The number of cattle going down in TB tests was up over 8% when comparing the first three months of 2025 with the same months last year.
Darren Carty
Live exports accelerating the herd decline
e-Learning
Pat O'Toole
Department TB proposals shock farmers
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
Sheep prices fall by over €10/head
Darren Carty
Sheep prices fall by over €10/head
Sheep Trends: lambs and hoggets cut 20c/kg to 30c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: lambs and hoggets cut 20c/kg to 30c/kg
Sheep price update: hoggets and lambs fall by another €3 to €5/head
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: hoggets and lambs fall by another €3 to €5/head
Sheep Management: creep feeding, grass management and SIS closing date
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: creep feeding, grass management and SIS closing date
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
90% increase in BVD positive calves
Darren Carty
90% increase in BVD positive calves
The increase to 359 head stems from some herds recording significant breakdowns with the herd prevalence increasing by less than 20%.
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
Noel Bardon
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
The number of cattle going down in TB tests was up over 8% when comparing the first three months of 2025 with the same months last year.
PEDIGREE
Inchisine achieve top price in Kilmallock
Nevan McKiernan
Inchisine achieve top price in Kilmallock
Seven bulls at the Munster Angus Breeders sale were sold for prices over €4,000, writes Nevan McKiernan.
Limousin and Angus sales flying high
Nevan McKiernan
Limousin and Angus sales flying high
Both the Angus and Limousin breeds have enjoyed some terrific bull sales lately.
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.
Technology For Profit: insight drives impact – meet the winnerSPONSORED
Technology For Profit: insight drives impact – meet the winner
Seán Kelly’s success as the overall MSD Animal Health Technology for Profit competition exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to dairy farming in Co Tipperary.
Always check for underground pipelines before starting a digSPONSORED
Always check for underground pipelines before starting a dig
Whether you are a landowner, forestry operator, farmer or contractor, always check for underground pipelines before undertaking groundworks.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Carbery reports profit and revenue growth in 2024
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Carbery reports profit and revenue growth in 2024
West Cork co-op surveyed suppliers to understand outlook for milk supply.
Investor letter shows Tirlán’s Glanbia losses top €700m
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Investor letter shows Tirlán’s Glanbia losses top €700m
The tumble in the share price of Glanbia needs to be addressed by its largest shareholder, says investor.
European tractor sales hit 10-year low in 2024
Peter Thomas Keaveney
European tractor sales hit 10-year low in 2024
Agricultural tractor registrations in 2024 across Europe were 8.1% lower than in 2023 and were at their lowest level since 2014, according to a CEMA report.
Demand for European machinery is on the rise again
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Demand for European machinery is on the rise again
With dealer stocks deplenishing, CEMA’s latest report outlines that the demand for European manufactured agricultural machinery is on the rise. Peter Thomas Keaveney reports.
TILLAGE
Grain trends: prices drop this week, currency hitting markets
Siobhán Walsh
Grain trends: prices drop this week, currency hitting markets
Tillage management: winter crops and weeds in spring cereals
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage management: winter crops and weeds in spring cereals
A new insecticide has been introduced to the market
Siobhán Walsh
A new insecticide has been introduced to the market
Spot spraying can reduce inputs and improve efficiency
Conor Kehoe
Excellent germination in spring crops
Grain trends: prices drop this week, currency hitting markets SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
European tractor sales hit 10-year low in 2024
Peter Thomas Keaveney
European tractor sales hit 10-year low in 2024
Agricultural tractor registrations in 2024 across Europe were 8.1% lower than in 2023 and were at their lowest level since 2014, according to a CEMA report.
Demand for European machinery is on the rise again
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Demand for European machinery is on the rise again
With dealer stocks deplenishing, CEMA’s latest report outlines that the demand for European manufactured agricultural machinery is on the rise. Peter Thomas Keaveney reports.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Bobcat launches new ‘V-Drive’ telehandlers
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kverneland launches 0% finance on full range
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Maschio to supply New Holland with grass equipment
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
Laois and Kildare lands go to auction, with one going above guide price
Paul Mooney
Laois and Kildare lands go to auction, with one going above guide price
One of these properties sold in one lot, a portion of the other farm was withdrawn.
Good land for rearing and fattening cattle
Paul Mooney
Good land for rearing and fattening cattle
The land in this area is nice and well regarded. The house requires renovation.
Tipp holding could suit any farming enterprise
Paul Mooney
Tipp holding could suit any farming enterprise
The land is in one large, level field and is currently under cereals.
BUILDINGS
Farm buildings forum updates on reference cost review and slurry storage costs
Martin Merrick
Farm buildings forum updates on reference cost review and slurry storage costs
Though reference costs are not where they should be since TAMS III opened over two years ago, an ongoing review has been confirmed again by the Department of Agriculture.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Rewetting actions in ACRES will have little impact - IFA
James Hanly
Rewetting actions in ACRES will have little impact - IFA
The 2025 Climate Action Plan proposed for farmers to receive additional payments for rewetting peat soils before the end of the year to help reach emissions targets.
Burren farm walks to begin in May
James Hanly
Burren farm walks to begin in May
The 2025 festival will explore the Burren’s range of plants, flowers and birds, at the height of their seasonal splendour.
RENEWABLES
Wind supplies 38% of Ireland's electricity so far in 2025
Stephen Robb
Wind supplies 38% of Ireland's electricity so far in 2025
March Wind Energy report shows that Irish wind farms provided 38% of the country’s electricity over the first quarter of 2025.
Our growing electricity demand
Colm McCarthy
Our growing electricity demand
Electricity is already more expensive in Ireland than in competitor countries and will become more so if government fails to align planning policy with cost containment.
FORESTRY
Total of 26,000ha of forestry damaged by storms, satellite images confirm
Noel Bardon
Total of 26,000ha of forestry damaged by storms, satellite images confirm
The minister urged forestry owners with impacted sites not to rush any forest management decisions.
Storms flatten over 26,000ha of trees
Donal Magner
Storms flatten over 26,000ha of trees
The detailed mapping assessment was carried out using imagery acquired from the Sentinel and SkySat satellite constellations.
NORTHERN IRELAND
News in-brief from Northern Ireland
David Wright
News in-brief from Northern Ireland
Weekly news in-brief from across the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
DAERA working on TB wildlife plan
David Wright
DAERA working on TB wildlife plan
Officials in DAERA are working on a plan to deal with the reservoir of TB in wildlife.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Editorial: ‘why is this noble profession struggling?’
There are less teachers in our children's schools and this was top of the agenda at the teachers conferences this week.
Editorial: ‘why is this noble profession struggling?’
Comment
'The record book will be under my pillow and will have to be wrestled from me'
Property
Tipp holding could suit any farming enterprise
Property
65ac holding will be auctioned in two lots in Tipperary
Property
Big farm will generate lots of interest in private treaty sale
Build a sunny south-east business empire for €1.3m
Paul Mooney
Build a sunny south-east business empire for €1.3m
All of the buildings included in this impressive Wexford property are large in scale and built to last.
Gardening with Paul Maher: glow up with hardy annuals
Contributor
Gardening with Paul Maher: glow up with hardy annuals
Growing annual bedding plants in your garden can save you money while you enjoy the beauty.
Five races to savour at the Punchestown Festival
Mark Costello
Five races to savour at the Punchestown Festival
Mark Costello previews the big race meeting which brings down the curtain on the National Hunt season
Authorities aiming to speed up delivery of houses with new NPF
Jacqueline Hogge
Authorities aiming to speed up delivery of houses with new NPF
County development plans look set to be revisited as councils around the country seek to accelerate building.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers sow, graze and showcase spring farming
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers sow, graze and showcase spring farming
Watch: this week in photos as spring lambs, record sales and farming life unfold
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as spring lambs, record sales and farming life unfold
Watch: this week in photos as farmers plough, sow and learn across Ireland
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers plough, sow and learn across Ireland
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: stock number decline should reignite policy rethink
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Our growing electricity demand
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
Home Farm: Extraordinary spring for cattle trade
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Editorial: slurry management critical to protect future farmers
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Farmers should consider selling at marts as factories cut beef prices - IFA
 
Farmers should consider selling at marts as factories cut beef prices - IFA
Blazing trade for Limousin bulls in Athenry
 
Blazing trade for Limousin bulls in Athenry
Britain upgrades risk of foot-and-mouth incursion to medium
 
Britain upgrades risk of foot-and-mouth incursion to medium
Mayo farm company fined €4,000 for polluting river
 
Mayo farm company fined €4,000 for polluting river
Triplet calving thrill at Tyrone farm
 
Triplet calving thrill at Tyrone farm
Minister confirms actions for €75/cow suckler scheme
 
Minister confirms actions for €75/cow suckler scheme
Wind farm convicted of polluting Leitrim river
 
Wind farm convicted of polluting Leitrim river
Irish cattle herd set to hit lowest level in 10 years
 
Irish cattle herd set to hit lowest level in 10 years
Habitats Directive report to set baseline for Nature Restoration Law
 
Habitats Directive report to set baseline for Nature Restoration Law
Limerick group at odds with biogas developer
 
Limerick group at odds with biogas developer