James Strain

Farmer Writes: hopefully it's not another one of those years

In dry weather, it wouldn't be a huge issue, but with every wet day that comes, it's getting trickier. Cattle are becoming unsettled as well.

FARMER WRITES 7 June 2026

Farmer Writes: hopefully it's not another one of those years

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Farmer Writes: strong heats in dairy heifers

Farmer Writes: strong heats in dairy heifers

FARMER WRITES 1 June 2026

Farmer Writes: the continental v dairy-bred debate

Farmer Writes: the continental v dairy-bred debate

FARMER WRITES 19 May 2026

Farmer Writes: spring arrives at last in Donegal

Farmer Writes: spring arrives at last in Donegal

Farmer Writes: spring arrives at last in Donegal

FARMER WRITES 24 April 2026

Farmer Writes: cold weather and fuel pressure keeping a lid on things

Farmer Writes: cold weather and fuel pressure keeping a lid on things

Farmer Writes: cold weather and fuel pressure keeping a lid on things

FARMER WRITES 11 April 2026

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Farmer Writes: balancing weight gains and falling price

Farmer Writes: balancing weight gains and falling price

Do you chase extra kilos and risk a falling price or take what’s in front of you, asks James Strain.

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

Farmer Writes: what is going on with Ireland’s factory beef price?

Farmer Writes: what is going on with Ireland’s factory beef price?

What makes the situation difficult to understand is that the fall in price is happening at a time when the number of cattle being processed nationally is well back on previous years.

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

Farmer Writes: the Shared Island TB project

Farmer Writes: the Shared Island TB project

Pilot TB project will operate across a defined study area covering northeast Donegal and northwest Northern Ireland

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

Farmer Writes: without farmer support, Bord Bia is a dead duck

Farmer Writes: without farmer support, Bord Bia is a dead duck

Farmers who accepted inspections, paperwork and scrutiny from Bord Bia feel let down by the Larry Murrin controversy, writes James Strain this week.

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

Farmer Writes: looking forward to spring

Farmer Writes: looking forward to spring

While winter is still upon us, James Strain is very much looking forward to getting some jobs ticked-off the list this spring.

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

Farmer Writes: looking back on 2025, a year to remember

Farmer Writes: looking back on 2025, a year to remember

Beef and sheep farmer James Strain takes a look back at a bumper 2025 for drystock.

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

Farmer Writes: preparing for the new wormer prescription system

Farmer Writes: preparing for the new wormer prescription system

Many farmers appear blissfully unaware that prescriptions will now be required for a wide range of antiparasitic treatments, writes farmer James Strain.

FARMER WRITES 2 December 2025

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National Dairy Council bridging the urban-rural divide through school farm visit

Kildare dairy farmer welcomed students as part of a National Dairy Council initiative, which saw 1,500 pupils across Ireland visit working dairy farms during May.

National Dairy Council bridging the urban-rural divide through school farm visit

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