Martin Merrick

mmerrick@farmersjournal.ie

The Grass Week: dipping soil temperatures doing nothing for grass growth

After a slow start to spring, a fall in soil temperatures over the last few days has done little to abate a lackluster growth season so far.

GRASS & FEEDING 16 May 2026

The Grass Week: dipping soil temperatures doing nothing for grass growth

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Ticking TAMS box for cattle crushes

Ticking TAMS box for cattle crushes

BUILDINGS 13 May 2026

Martbids Database: price falls across the board

Martbids Database: price falls across the board

MARKETS 13 May 2026

Camera at the Mart: numbers and prices hold firm in Ballinrobe

Camera at the Mart: numbers and prices hold firm in Ballinrobe

Camera at the Mart: numbers and prices hold firm in Ballinrobe

MARKETS 13 May 2026

Grass+ Beef: growth rates good but some still feeling a pinch

Grass+ Beef: growth rates good but some still feeling a pinch

Grass+ Beef: growth rates good but some still feeling a pinch

GRASS & FEEDING 13 May 2026

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Beef management: grass supplies, summer mastitis and slurry testing

Beef management: grass supplies, summer mastitis and slurry testing

Martin Merrick goes through some key advice around grass supplies, reducing summer mastitis risk and testing slurry.

MANAGEMENT 5 May 2026

Quality cattle marry with high CBV in Laois

Quality cattle marry with high CBV in Laois

Laois suckler farmer Thomas Carroll won Ashbourne Meats suckler farmer finisher Beef Quality Award last year, with the quality of cattle on display showing why he was a worthy winner.

BREEDING & HEALTH 5 May 2026

CBV and quality cattle hand in hand in Laois

CBV and quality cattle hand in hand in Laois

Thomas Carroll was one of the winners of the inaugural Beef Quality Awards last year, with the quality of cattle on the ground backing up the high CBV indexes awarded to his stock.

NEWS 5 May 2026

Preparation key with pit silage infrastructure

Preparation key with pit silage infrastructure

For both safety and the protection of the environment, pits need to be checked over and repairs carried out before being filled with grass this silage season.

BUILDINGS 5 May 2026

MartBids Database: big boost for weanling prices

MartBids Database: big boost for weanling prices

Weanling prices have jumped significantly this week, as farmers remain hungry for numbers amid improved weather conditions.

MARKETS 5 May 2026

Camera at the Mart: keen demand for store bullocks and cows in Manorhamilton

Camera at the Mart: keen demand for store bullocks and cows in Manorhamilton

Buyers were active for good store-type animals, with feedlot buyers and finishers competitive ringside.

MARKETS 5 May 2026

Beef management: reseeding, liming and breeding bulls

Beef management: reseeding, liming and breeding bulls

Martin Merrick runs through some of the key things farmers need to consider regarding possibly reseeding amid dry weather, applying lime and looking after stock bulls.

MANAGEMENT 5 May 2026

SPONSORED

New Zealand dairy tech open day to take place on Laois farm

Irish dairy farmers will have the opportunity to see the latest technologies from New Zealand at an on-farm open day at Camcloon Dairy, Ballyfin, Co Laois, on Tuesday 19 May 2026 from 10am.

New Zealand dairy tech open day to take place on Laois farm

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