TOP STORIES
News
Independents shake up the farming vote
Pat O'Toole
With just over one week until polling day in the European elections, an Irish Farmers Journal survey has revealed farmer voting intentions.
Independents shake up the farming vote
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Teagasc event highlights benefit of trees for water quality
Rachel Donovan
Teagasc event highlights benefit of trees for water quality
The event, which was held in Teagasc Moorepark, was particularly focused on the 3ha of native woodland established on the farm in 2023.
50 places available on biodiversity mentorship programme
Rachel Donovan
50 places available on biodiversity mentorship programme
The closing date for farmers to apply is less than a month away.
Rachel Donovan
No rain forecast for week ahead
Jack Kennedy
Land market explodes into life
Rachel Donovan
Ash dieback taskforce meets for first time
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urged SPONSORED
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urged
Heightened risks of soil and slurry contamination in first-cut grass silage after the wet winter will require extra vigilance with silage making this season, an expert is urging.
CLIMATE TARGETS
Diversification could see farming close to 2030 climate target
Noel Bardon
Diversification could see farming close to 2030 climate target
Potential emissions savings from farm diversification could see the farming sector achieve 99% of its emissions reduction target.
EPA expects Ireland to miss 2030 emissions targets
Noel Bardon
EPA expects Ireland to miss 2030 emissions targets
Farming and most other sectors are expected to overshoot their emissions targets for 2030, a new EPA forecast shows.
Ireland can learn from New Zealand on carbon tax changes
Contributor
Ireland can learn from New Zealand on carbon tax changes
With methane, there is no substitute for ruminant livestock, other than unacceptable destocking, writes Prof Gerry Boyle.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
MART REPORTS
Camera at the Mart: full clearance for Cahir calf sale
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: full clearance for Cahir calf sale
There was a 100% clearance rate, with exporters really active for calves at Cahir Mart for its calf sale on Friday evening last.
Sheep mart prices: lamb prices ease by €3 to €8 per head
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: lamb prices ease by €3 to €8 per head
Agents have been keen to try to ease prices in line with factory quotes, while those buying lambs for live export have been quieter this week.
Martbids Database: big drop in mart numbers
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: big drop in mart numbers
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including news of what’s happening in the country’s marts.
Camera at the Mart: all types a classy trade in Sixmilebridge
Shanon Kinahan
Camera at the Mart: all types a classy trade in Sixmilebridge
Shanon Kinahan reports from a busy day's trading at Sixmilebridge Mart last Saturday.
BEEF
NI factories exert price pressure on beef and lamb
Kieran Mailey
NI factories exert price pressure on beef and lamb
1 euro subscription
Darren Carty
Live exports surpass 200,000 head
Adam Woods
Beef quotes increase as numbers tighten
Kieran Mailey
NI Trends: factories look to tighten grip on beef trade; lamb trade eases
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Live exports surpass 200,000 head
Darren Carty
Live exports surpass 200,000 head
Calf exports are now on a par to 2023 with over 161,000 head exported live while higher exports of stores and finished cattle are pushing exports over 6,000 head above 2023 levels.
Bird flu spreading through US dairy farms
Aidan Brennan
Bird flu spreading through US dairy farms
Milk yield drops of up to 25% have been reported in herds affected by bird flu, writes Aidan Brennan.
Declan Collins
Time to rebuild silage stocks
e-Learning
Aidan Brennan
Dairy management: wet weather continues to have an impact
There’s a future for palm oil in the dairy supply chain SPONSORED
There’s a future for palm oil in the dairy supply chain
If not palm, then what? Understanding the complex story of sustainable palm and the vital role it plays in supporting global conservation efforts, local economies and the dairy supply chain.
SHEEP
Sheep Trends: greater focus placed on lambs
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: greater focus placed on lambs
Sheep mart prices: lamb prices ease by €3 to €8 per head
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: lamb prices ease by €3 to €8 per head
NI Trends: factories look to tighten grip on beef trade; lamb trade eases
Kieran Mailey
NI Trends: factories look to tighten grip on beef trade; lamb trade eases
Sheep management: enzootic abortion, selling hoggets and scheme dates
Darren Carty
Sheep management: enzootic abortion, selling hoggets and scheme dates
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Sheep management: enzootic abortion, selling hoggets and scheme dates
Darren Carty
Sheep management: enzootic abortion, selling hoggets and scheme dates
While breeding seems a long time away early lamb producers in particular are being advised of potential supply shortages of enzootic abortion vaccines.
DAERA get animal health powers back
Peter McCann
DAERA get animal health powers back
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay “has exercised his discretion to not retain direction and control” over key policy areas.
PEDIGREE
Tomohawk a powerful weapon in Midleton
Shanon Kinahan
Tomohawk a powerful weapon in Midleton
Shanon Kinahan was in Cork on Sunday for Midleton Show where she reports on the breed champions from the beef section.
Rockvalley rocks Rising Stars Calf Show
Shanon Kinahan
Rockvalley rocks Rising Stars Calf Show
Shanon Kinahan reports from the North Eastern Rising Stars Charolais Calf Show where Rockvalley Udaya took the plaudits
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urgedSPONSORED
Take steps to minimise aftereffects of wet winter on silage, farmers urged
Heightened risks of soil and slurry contamination in first-cut grass silage after the wet winter will require extra vigilance with silage making this season, an expert is urging.
Irish beef sales in Britain still growingSPONSORED
Irish beef sales in Britain still growing
Bord Bia meat and organics market specialist Seán Deane reports that Irish beef sales in Britain continued to grow in the first two months of 2024, building on last year's strong performance.
Outpacing the field with the only non-stop baler, the Kverneland FastBaleSPONSORED
Outpacing the field with the only non-stop baler, the Kverneland FastBale
In Clogheen, Co Tipperary, Thomas Moloney, alongside his father Jim, has been steering the family business through the evolving landscape of Irish agriculture for over six decades.
How FRS fencing and DURA² helped transform our home and farmSPONSORED
How FRS fencing and DURA² helped transform our home and farm
DURA² fencing provided John Paul Bennett and his wife Laura with a durable and environmentally friendly fencing solution for their home and farm.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Lemken's online portal hit by cyber attack
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Lemken's online portal hit by cyber attack
German machinery manufacturer Lemken recently had its online system attacked by cyber hackers.
Maize boom means more work for Samco
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Maize boom means more work for Samco
Limerick agri-engineering firm reports surge in turnover in latest accounts.
Moorepark Technology warns that losses will continue
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Moorepark Technology warns that losses will continue
Teagasc joint venture reports fourth year of financial loss in 2023.
Outlook for farm input costs is improving, but risks remain
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Outlook for farm input costs is improving, but risks remain
What’s next for fertiliser, feed and fuel prices after three years of volatility.
TILLAGE
Grain Trends: markets up again as differences appear
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: markets up again as differences appear
1 euro subscription
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage management: busy time for spring crops
Siobhán Walsh
US crops report: farmers continue to plant
Conor Kehoe
Flag leaf sprays on wheat and thriving spring barley
Grain Trends: markets up again as differences appear SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Lemken's online portal hit by cyber attack
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Lemken's online portal hit by cyber attack
German machinery manufacturer Lemken recently had its online system attacked by cyber hackers.
New telehandler registrations up 4.7%
Gary Abbott
New telehandler registrations up 4.7%
FTMTA registration data shows that there has been a 4.75% increase in the number of new telehandlers registered up to the end of April 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
Gary Abbott
Dieci refines T80 pivot steer loader
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Limerick farmer sees value in new 130hp Chinese tractor
Gary Abbott
Busy Fendt 516 answers all the needs of Longford calve to beef farmer
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
Modernised 1900s house in Galway with quality land
Paul Mooney
Modernised 1900s house in Galway with quality land
Near Glinsk, the 30ac farm with a guide price of €550,000 sits in a pleasant, quiet part of the county, with busy shopping towns nearby, writes Paul Mooney.
Auction or private – what’s the better deal?
Paul Mooney
Auction or private – what’s the better deal?
The majority of farmland sales are by private treaty, but when there is keen interest in a property, sellers may get a better price at public auction, writes Paul Mooney.
Top class fattening farm in Co Meath for €1.8m
Paul Mooney
Top class fattening farm in Co Meath for €1.8m
This farm comes with a purpose made cattle yard that was built in the past five years to a very high standard. It's now going for auction, writes Paul Mooney.
BUILDINGS
60-point rotary and drafting system streamlining milking in Piltown
Martin Merrick
60-point rotary and drafting system streamlining milking in Piltown
The DeLaval 60-point rotary is seeing the farm’s 400 herd of cows milked in just under an hour and a half.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Teagasc to lead 'Better Farming for Water' campaign
Caitríona Morrissey
Teagasc to lead 'Better Farming for Water' campaign
The new campaign will create eight new roles within Teagasc, including six water catchment co-ordinators, a water quality catchment research officer and a programme manager.
Farms could help prevent flash floods, project shows
Noel Bardon
Farms could help prevent flash floods, project shows
Slowing down the flow of rainwater from farmland into streams could see fewer floods in urban areas, a pilot project has found.
RENEWABLES
Slurry and grass to fuel AD plants
Stephen Robb
Slurry and grass to fuel AD plants
The industry will be agri-centric, meaning farmers will be the main suppliers of feedstock such as grass silage and manures to produce biomethane gas which will decarbonise the energy sector.
Comment: State selects path of most resistance for AD development
Stephen Robb
Comment: State selects path of most resistance for AD development
The route the state has taken to realise its plans of a vibrant new, agri-centric anaerobic digestion sector ranks as one of the most difficult in Europe and ensures the 2030 target wont be met.
FORESTRY
Heated exchanges at ash dieback taskforce
Declan O’Brien
Heated exchanges at ash dieback taskforce
Forestry growers' representatives said they signed up to the taskforce's terms of reference "under duress".
The need for continuity and support for forest research
Donal Magner
The need for continuity and support for forest research
Message of late distinguished forester and researcher, Gerhardt Gallagher, who advocated a co-ordinated research programme and research centre within forestry development agency, needs to be adopted.
NORTHERN IRELAND
News in-brief from Northern Ireland
Kieran Mailey
News in-brief from Northern Ireland
Latest news in-brief from across the farming and food industry in Northern Ireland
Next steps confirmed for Red Tractor review
David Wright
Next steps confirmed for Red Tractor review
The latest review into Red Tractor farm assurance is being led by a former vice chancellor of Harper Adams University
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Life
Meet the Maker: Orla Hickey
In this week’s Meet the Maker, Grace Hanna chats to Limerick artist Orla Hickey about how a pottery class in Skibbereen reopened her eyes to her creative abilities.
Meet the Maker: Orla Hickey
Comment
Editorial: blooming inspiration
Life
Winners of Bord Bia Bloom competition
Irish Horse
Irish Horse: the way of the innovators
Irish Horse
Irish Horse: breeze-up vendors left swinging in the wind
Hurling championship has kept us enthralled - football has a hard act to follow
Denis Hurley
Hurling championship has kept us enthralled - football has a hard act to follow
There are just nine games left in the hurling championship – can the football thrill us more in the meantime, asks Denis Hurley.
Auction or private – what’s the better deal?
Paul Mooney
Auction or private – what’s the better deal?
The majority of farmland sales are by private treaty, but when there is keen interest in a property, sellers may get a better price at public auction, writes Paul Mooney.
Katherine O'Leary: I love to be rocking when the Boss takes to the stage
Katherine O'Leary
Katherine O'Leary: I love to be rocking when the Boss takes to the stage
Music brings people together and Bruce Springsteen holds a special power to really connect with his audience, writes Katherine O’Leary.
Country Sound: milestone music anniversary for Frank McCaffrey
Contributor
Country Sound: milestone music anniversary for Frank McCaffrey
Country singer Frank McCaffery was among the first Irish artists to recognise the demand for country music and Irish songs in English theatres, writes Michael Commins.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: silage, reseeding and farm walks
Photo Desk
Watch: silage, reseeding and farm walks
In pictures: the 155th Balmoral Show
Photo Desk
In pictures: the 155th Balmoral Show
Watch: this week's pictures of the week - silage and stock in fields
Photo Desk
Watch: this week's pictures of the week - silage and stock in fields
Watch: this week in photos - farmers get on with fieldwork
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos - farmers get on with fieldwork
VIEWPOINTS
Missed opportunity in anaerobic digestion plan
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Unexpected casualty of the UK's general election
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
A View from China: optimism brewing in pig industry
Contributor
Contributor
Land market explodes into life
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
ICMSA challenges President Higgins’ comments on Irish farming
 
ICMSA challenges President Higgins’ comments on Irish farming
Camera at the Mart: full clearance for Cahir calf sale
 
Camera at the Mart: full clearance for Cahir calf sale
Good grazing land with bungalow in Limerick
 
Good grazing land with bungalow in Limerick
Irish Charolais Cattle Society appoints new breed secretary
 
Irish Charolais Cattle Society appoints new breed secretary
What are the best days for silage this week?
 
What are the best days for silage this week?
114,000 fewer cattle on farms on 1 April
 
114,000 fewer cattle on farms on 1 April
Balcony with a view for €1.4m in Tipperary
 
Balcony with a view for €1.4m in Tipperary
Pilot on methane reducing additives recommended
 
Pilot on methane reducing additives recommended
'Short but vicious' bursts of rain hit Wexford
 
'Short but vicious' bursts of rain hit Wexford
Farmer who died in tractor crash found liable for not having yellow beacon
 
Farmer who died in tractor crash found liable for not having yellow beacon