Farmer Writes

Farmer Writes: the dreaded herd test

Autumn brings the dreaded herd test, and while we’ve now been running a clear herd since mandatory testing began in 1962, there’s always an underlying fear that TB will pop up.

FARMER WRITES 21 October 2026

Farmer Writes: the dreaded herd test

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Farmer Writes: €2,000 won't get you much of a bullock

Farmer Writes: €2,000 won't get you much of a bullock

FARMER WRITES 21 October 2026

Farmer Writes: one day on strike, 11 days waiting for payment

Farmer Writes: one day on strike, 11 days waiting for payment

FARMER WRITES 20 October 2026

Training completed in rodent control

Training completed in rodent control

Training completed in rodent control

FARMER WRITES 14 October 2026

Farmer Writes: the importance of cleaning out paddocks well

Farmer Writes: the importance of cleaning out paddocks well

Farmer Writes: the importance of cleaning out paddocks well

FARMER WRITES 14 October 2026

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Farmer Writes: real-life Reeling in the Years

Farmer Writes: real-life Reeling in the Years

A conversation with a number of participants in the National Farmers' Rights march in 1966 gave a glimpse into the day-to-day of their 12-day journey writes Tommy Moyles.

FARMER WRITES 14 October 2026

Farmer Writes: 13-year-old cow takes 'one giant leap for cowkind' at hoof trim

Farmer Writes: 13-year-old cow takes 'one giant leap for cowkind' at hoof trim

Karen McCabe writes about the delicate balance between not keeping cattle in paddocks for too long and not teaching calves to sing for their supper.

FARMER WRITES 7 October 2026

A tetany victim is a bad start to the day

A tetany victim is a bad start to the day

John Egerton found the animal on the same morning he was expecting visitors to the farm

FARMER WRITES 7 October 2026

Farmer Writes: the earthy season of planting begins

Farmer Writes: the earthy season of planting begins

Gerald Potterton writes about the seasonal transition underway for tillage farmers.

FARMER WRITES 7 October 2026

Farmer Writes: No two farms are the same

Farmer Writes: No two farms are the same

Grass is growing again and we are much more comfortable now than we were a few weeks ago, writes Padraig Callanan.

FARMER WRITES 30 September 2026

Why our farms look their best in autumn

Why our farms look their best in autumn

There is a lot of growth on hedgerows this year, writes Co Down farmer, Derek Robinson.

FARMER WRITES 30 September 2026

Farmer Writes: raising the breeding bar

Farmer Writes: raising the breeding bar

Scanning took place on Tommy Moyles' suckler herd at Ardfield, Clonakilty, Co Cork recently and there were contrasting results. All of which he thinks will help improve the herd.

FARMER WRITES 30 September 2026

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Why protein and grass-fed create a positive outlook for Irish dairy

Bord Bia Head of Dairy David Kennedy spoke to Julian Mellentin, New Nutrition business founder, to explore the trends influencing dairy and what they could mean for Ireland’s grass-fed dairy sector.

Why protein and grass-fed create a positive outlook for Irish dairy

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