James Strain

Farmer Writes: sun and sand, but not at the beach

With second-cut silage in the yard and grass growth thriving, it's time for the next project – finishing a sand arena for the children's ponies.

NEWS 26 July 2026

Farmer Writes: sun and sand, but not at the beach

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Farmer Writes: I've been flat out not farming

Farmer Writes: I've been flat out not farming

FARMER WRITES 14 July 2026

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

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

FARMER WRITES 7 June 2026

Farmer Writes: strong heats in dairy heifers

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: the continental v dairy-bred debate

FARMER WRITES 19 May 2026

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Farmer Writes: spring arrives at last in Donegal

Farmer Writes: spring arrives at last in Donegal

If conditions hold, James Strain should be able to push on and get the reseeding done in good time.

FARMER WRITES 29 January 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

There is strong support for the ongoing fuel protests from people across the country, which reflects just how serious the situation has become for ordinary working people.

FARMER WRITES 29 January 2026

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 29 January 2026

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 29 January 2026

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 29 January 2026

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 29 January 2026

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 29 January 2026

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Measuring carbon is the new frontier for Irish tillage farming

Tom Barry, tillage farmer: ‘I farm in Killavullen, north Cork, and I’ve been farming here since 1995’.

Measuring carbon is the new frontier for Irish tillage farming

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