It was a good week for…

  • A Belclare ewe in Teagasc Athenry, as this week she gave birth to a set of sextuplets for the second year running.
  • Pig farmers, as Mexican authorities have concluded inspections on six pig export plants in Ireland.
  • The spud growers of Ireland, as Teagasc, the IFA and Bord Bia have launched a two-year pilot project which aims to address the key challenges faced by farmers when growing, managing and storing fresh chipping potatoes.
  • The 4,000 or so forgotten farmers in Ireland, as Fianna Fáil has committed to putting a solution in place so that they are not forgotten in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

    • It was a bad week for…

  • Cattle farmers, as Irish Farmers Journal analysis shows that average carcase grades have plummeted by up to 20% in certain factories over the last five years.
  • Dairy farmers, as four out of eight processors (Dairygold, Kerry, Glanbia and Arrabawn) have announced milk price cuts for February supplies.
  • Some GLAS farmers, as 1,600 farmers with outstanding GLAS details to be submitted for 2018 cannot apply for the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme
  • IPL, formerly known as One51, as its profits plunged by 90% from €15m in 2017 to €1.8m last year.