It was a good week for…

  • Cattle farmers, as it was announced that the Department of Agriculture has secured further access for Irish cattle exports to Libya.
  • LacPatrick suppliers, as after concerns about the stability of its milk pool in Northern Ireland, the board of LacPatrick Dairies moved to settle nerves by agreeing to pay a winter bonus.
  • Farm families, as an Taoiseach committed to bringing the three-year cap on nursing home charges to family business assets including farms before the Oireachtas “in the next session” starting in the new year.
  • Kepak Clonee, as it has begun processing cattle for the Chinese market.

    • It was a bad week for…

  • Factories, as it emerged that beef factories had been fined 21 times to date this year for excessive carcase trimming.
  • Mushroom growers, as the Irish Farmers Journal revealed that 40% of growers have left the industry since 2016.
  • Farmers in general, as despite a fall-off in crude oil prices, fertiliser prices are on the increase.
  • Cattle farmers in Northern Ireland, as the comptroller and auditor general has suggested that compensation for TB reactor animals should be cut.