Economics
Kieran Mailey on 24 Mar 2021
Making dairy calf to beef systems pay
Calf prices are extremely strong and without a significant increase in beef price, farmers will struggle to cover input costs.
Declan Marren on 27 Feb 2021
Thrive: first calves of 2021 arrive and assessing sire performance
This week saw the first of the 2021 calves arrive on the Thrive demo farm, while we look back at sire performance for cattle slaughtered last autumn.
Adam Woods on 17 Feb 2021
Watch live tonight: Dairy Calf to Beef Webinar
Adam Woods previews tonight’s Irish Farmers Journal dairy calf to beef webinar kicking off at 8.30pm on farmersjournal.ie.
Declan Marren on 23 Jan 2021
Thrive: system economics and preparing for calf arrival
In this week's dairy calf to beef roundup, Declan Marren outlines the financial performance of recently slaughtered Thrive cattle, while, on farm, preparation is in place for calf arrival.
Barry Cassidy on 20 Jan 2021
Beef and sheep farms being left behind on research uptake
Teagasc must focus on increasing the uptake of its research on less profitable farms and ensuring research is aligned with government policy, a report has said.
Lorcan Allen on 15 Jan 2021
Feed-in tariff needed if microgeneration scheme is to be a success
In order for the Government's micro-generation scheme to be a success, it will need to tackle the cost of connection to the national grid and introduce a feed-in tariff for renewable energy.
Declan Marren on 06 Jan 2021
Thrive: housed heifers struggle to leave a positive margin
Declan Marren looks at the production performance and economics of the last eight heifers slaughtered on the Thrive demo farm.
Andy Doyle on 22 Dec 2020
Falling crop areas and the great land switch
Crop area on the island of Ireland has fallen by 1.5m hectares since the middle of the last decade and this is adding increased challenges to agriculture as a whole. Andy Doyle reports
Declan Marren on 19 Dec 2020
In pictures: slaughter performance of Thrive bullocks
The latest batch of bullocks were slaughtered this week from the Thrive demonstration farm. Declan Marren takes a look at carcase weight, kill-out percentages and conformation and fat scores.
Contributor on 18 Dec 2020
Leaving cert agricultural science study guide video 3: policy and economics
This week, we’re releasing our third Leaving Certificate agricultural science study guide classroom video on the topics of policy and economics.
Andy Doyle on 16 Dec 2020
He who pays the piper calls the tune
Price incentives for sustainable production practices are welcome, but will they be taken away again when all production meets similar standards?
Declan Marren on 02 Dec 2020
Thrive: when margins are tight, drafting must be right
Drafting for slaughter continues on the Thrive demo farm. Declan Marren provides an update from the farm.
Stephen Robb on 02 Dec 2020
The policy drivers behind biomethane
Stephen Robb discusses some of the policy drivers which are set to change the feasibility of biomethane production.
Amy Forde on 18 Nov 2020
ASA seeks ambitious individual for exclusive fellowship programme
The ASA is seeking an ambitious, energetic and passionate individual who has a genuine interest in making an impact within the agriculture industry to become the first annual ASA fellow.
Contributor on 21 Oct 2020
Feeding the freshly calved cow this winter
James Dunne, Teagasc winter milk specialist, outlines what freshly-calved cows will need in their winter rations
David Wright on 14 Oct 2020
Top margin from dairy calf to beef
Well-run dairy calf-to-beef systems achieving high output off grass, can be profitable
Andy Doyle on 20 Sep 2020
Plough On: huge consolidation in the vegetable sector
The number of vegetable producers has contracted by over 50% in the past decade. In this article Andy DoyIe talks to Paul Brophy, IFA horticulture chair and a Kildare-based grower.
Declan Marren on 18 Sep 2020
Thrive open day - Watch: demonstration farm and system economics
Part one of the Thrive dairy calf-to-beef open day looks at the farm system in place on the demonstration farm, calf-rearing costs and the overall economics of dairy beef systems.
Adam Woods on 16 Sep 2020
Top tips when calculating a winter finishing budget
Adam Woods takes a look at winter finishing budgets and what beef prices farmers wil need to break even next spring.
John Sleigh on 09 Sep 2020
394p/kg for Scottish R4 steers
Scottish cattle finished are enjoying some of the highest prices in a decade.