Contractors
Declan O'Brien on 13 Oct 2021
Carbon tax hike to cost contractors €30m
Contractors warn that the increased carbon tax and diesel prices will result in higher charges to farmers.
Gary Abbott on 13 Oct 2021
FCI to host contractor event in December
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has announced it will hosts its biennial contractor conference and exhibition event at Gurteen College.
Caoimhe Harney on 07 Oct 2021
Contractors have no available alternative to diesel-powered tractors - FCI
The FCI has responded to the tax strategy group green diesel proposals by saying there is no commercial alternative to achieve the Government’s objective of de-carbonising the Irish economy.
Declan O'Brien on 06 Oct 2021
Contractors warn that diesel move could cost €170m
FCI claims that now is not the time to use fuel taxation strategies to force contractors and their farming clients into a corner.
David Wright on 22 Sep 2021
Farmers must follow good practice on slurry
By spreading in suitable conditions it enhances the argument that the rules do not need to change.
Peter McCann on 22 Sep 2021
No slurry exemption if waiting on a new tanker
The high demand for low-emission slurry spreading equipment has led to delays with machinery manufacturers.
Peter McCann on 01 Sep 2021
UFU confident of changes to TB plan
The Ulster Farmers’ Union has agreed its official response to the department's new bovine TB strategy for NI.
Noel Bardon on 27 Aug 2021
Agri jobs: manager needed for 300-acre mixed organic farm
This week, farm managers are wanted for both dairy and mixed enterprises, with attractive remuneration packages up for grabs.
Gary Abbott on 25 Aug 2021
Catch-cropping – why and how
Gary Abbott looks at some common catch crop establishment methods and the associated machinery required and costs involved for each, as well as the benefits of growing these nutrient-absorbing crops.
Peter Thomas Keaveney on 25 Aug 2021
Samco's prototype bale chaser takes to the countryside
Peter Thomas Keaveney took a look at Samco's prototype bale chaser as it embarked on demonstrations throughout the country this summer.
Peter Thomas Keaveney on 25 Aug 2021
Eight- to 12-month wait time for new slurry tankers
Existing lead times on LESS slurry equipment may see a further increase if proposals under the latest consultation document on the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) come into place.
Declan O'Brien on 22 Aug 2021
ICMSA calls for nitrates proposals to be 'revisited'
Pat McCormack maintained that farmers were effectively being pushed towards extending their holding’s slurry and soiled water storage capacity.
Donal Magner on 04 Aug 2021
Redundancies and short-time as contractors remain vulnerable
Forestry contractors are feeling the pain caused by licence delays, according to Michael Moroney, CEO of the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland.
Peter Thomas Keaveney on 21 Jul 2021
Hedge-cutting: time for contractors to sharpen the pen as costs rise
With the hedge-cutting season quickly approaching, FCI carried out an analysis of the costs involved in running a modern tractor and hedge cutter.
Matt Dempsey on 21 Jul 2021
Home Farm: pre-harvest lull short lived
We were both horrified to discover that seals had collapsed and let the hydraulic oil mix with the engine oil, with the suspicion that significant damage had been done to the gearbox.
Gary Abbott on 14 Jul 2021
New Holland TM – a series of classics
Twenty-one years on from its initial launch, Gary Abbott looks in detail at the history of New Holland’s TM series, described by many as a true modern working classic.
Katriona Kinsella on 14 Jul 2021
Farmer views: foresty licencing business ‘a complete shambles’
Forestry owners and business stakeholders flocked to Dublin City Centre today to highlight their anger at the current felling application system. Katriona Kinsella reports.
Pat O'Toole on 14 Jul 2021
Farmers to protest outside parliament over forestry backlogs
Frustrated by a lack of progress in dealing with the backlogs crippling forestry, the IFA is organising a public protest outside the National Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Stephen Robb on 14 Jul 2021
Watch: combine cleaning essentials to prevent grassweed spread
Siobhan Walsh talks to Teagasc’s Dermot Forristal and Brendan Burke about the importance of machine hygiene and the key cleaning points in a combine harvester.
Contributor on 07 Jul 2021
Last-minute pre-season combine maintenance tips
With harvest just around the corner, Bruce Lett offers readers some last minute pre-season combine maintenance tips to help ensure a trouble-free harvest.