The Farmers Journal team of farmer writes journalists from Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and beyond are dedicated to providing local farming news, comment and opinion across the dairy, beef & tillage sectors.

LATEST ARTICLES
News
Farmer Writes: TB breakdown after three clear years
Joe Collingborn
Since we are a closed herd, I can’t buy in, so I just have to wait for the heifers to calve into the system.
Farmer Writes: TB breakdown after three clear years
Farmer Writes: The snow caused a change in our plans
8 January 2025 Farmer Writes
Farmer Writes: The snow caused a change in our plans
We were due to vaccinate for IBR and Rotavirus this week, but didn’t get around to it yet because of the snow and ice around the yard.
Year in review and planning for 2025
8 January 2025 Northern Ireland
Year in review and planning for 2025
Castlederg dairy farmer Jessica Pollock, looks back on 2024 and what lies ahead in 2025
Farmer Writes: Hot markets the backdrop to cold snap
Much of west Cork has escaped the worst extremes of this cold spell but strong market performances will help get the year off to a good start.
8 January 2025 Farmer Writes
A new year and a fresh start
It’s important to leave 2024 behind you and look forward into the new farming year, writes Karen McCabe.
1 January 2025 Farmer Writes
Would I plant beans in April again? No
Gerald Potterton takes a look back at the year that was 2024 in the tillage fields.
1 January 2025 Farmer Writes
Scanning result is nothing to brag about
Derek Robinson had hoped his flock might have produced a scanning result closer to 200%.
1 January 2025 Northern Ireland
Succession plan knocked back by IHT change
The proposed reforms of UK inheritance tax could have big implications for our farm, writes John Egerton.
23 December 2024 Farmer Writes
Farmer Writes: A slatted shed like Trigger's broom
Tommy Moyles recently replaced slats in his oldest slatted house. The building and some of the materials in it have witnessed a lot of local history in their time.
23 December 2024 Farmer Writes
Farmer Writes: cows housed based on calving dates
We have the cows now separated out into the three cubicle sheds according to their calving dates.
23 December 2024 Farmer Writes
Farmer Writes: inheritance tax change a looming disaster
Labour leader Keir Starmer is obviously a very intelligent man but has a total lack of charisma and judgement, writes Joe Collingborn.
21 December 2024 Farmer Writes
Farmer Writes: a battle with front loader
Karen McCabe walked slap bang into the edge of the scoop on the front loader where she learned that head wounds do indeed bleed rather profusely.
18 December 2024 Farmer Writes