It was a good week for…

  • Farmers supplying Aurivo, as the co-op announced it increased its milk price for January supplies.
  • The students of Waterford IT, as their debating team beat a very determined CAFRE Loughry to claim the great agri-food debate crown for 2019.
  • Donald Trump’s main agricultural adviser, as he spent $1.51m (€1.33m) on a record-breaking Angus bull named America.
  • Rural Ireland, as €62m has been allocated to projects for rural regeneration and development.

    • It was a bad week for…

  • Farmers sending off BVD samples, as the cost of posting them is to rise again from the end of this month.
  • Cattle farmers, as the number of TB reactors is on the increase. Numbers reached 17,491 at the end of 2018, according to the Department of Agriculture.
  • Farmers looking to draw down low-cost loans, as they will have access to just 16% of the €300m Future Growth Loan Scheme.
  • Farmers with a nitrates derogation, as Ireland’s derogation is in danger of being revoked or curtailed unless water quality trends improve, the Department of Agriculture has warned agricultural consultants.

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