Fruit
Stephen Robb on 29 Apr 2021
Watch: new harvesting robot picks an apple every seven seconds
Researchers have developed a new apple-harvesting robot, which can pick an apple every seven seconds.
Stephen Robb on 22 Apr 2021
New natural anti-freeze bio-stimulant launched for flowering fruit crops
Frost damage remains a major concern in fruit growers, writes Stephen Robb.
Gerry Daly on 17 Mar 2021
In the garden with Gerry Daly: spring sparkler
The Japanese quince, with its bright red flowers, does really sparkle in the spring sunshine, writes Gerry Daly
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan on 27 Feb 2021
No Covid exemption for seasonal agricultural workers
Workers, such as fruit pickers, will be required to have a COVID-19 test and a two week quarantine.
Lorcan Allen on 17 Feb 2021
Total Produce to merge with Dole and cancel Dublin exchange listing
Total Produce will merge with US company Dole Foods to create a new entity called Dole plc, which will be listed on a US stock market.
Stephen Robb on 16 Feb 2021
Bayer-backed gene-edited super salads to be on the market by 2022
The Bayer-backed biotechnology company Pairwise aims to bring a range of new varieties of fruit and vegetables developed through gene editing to the market over the decade.
Stephen Robb on 11 Feb 2021
Kubota and Tevel to develop flying fruit-picking robots
Flying autonomous fruit-picking robots could soon help to solve the labour crisis facing the fruit sector.
Mairead Lavery on 30 Dec 2020
'Two out of Three ain’t Bad'
Yes, the days are getting longer and there’s plenty of jobs to be getting on with in the garden writes Mairead Lavery
on 09 Dec 2020
Specialist growers and mechanisation the future of vegetable production
Lorcan Bourke, fresh produce and potato manager for Bord Bia, analyses a sector made up of different crop types but common challenges.
Amy Forde on 02 Dec 2020
Majority of hill farmers found to be carbon neutral
Professor Alice Stanton of Devenish spoke at the INHFA AGM last Friday on hill farming and the nutritional value of food.
Niall Hurson on 02 Dec 2020
Diversification projects ‘giving Mayo farms new life’
Mayo entrepreneurs have given tips on how they adapted their businesses to stay viable.
Contributor on 19 Sep 2020
Plough On: the past decade brought many changes to the soft fruit sector
The Irish soft fruit sector has continue to undergo substantial changes targeting increased sustainability and the provision of wholesome product, writes Pat Clarke of Clarke’s Fresh Fruit.
Peter McCann on 02 Sep 2020
Apple growers set for improved crop
Local growers are generally looking at an improved apple crop this year.
Janine Kennedy on 30 Jun 2020
Vibrant bakes for dull days
We may not have the weather at the moment, but these fruity desserts offer a fresh taste of summer, writes Janine Kennedy.
Amy Forde on 18 Jun 2020
Farmers at high risk of heart disease – study
The results of new research show that the majority of farmers (85.9%) are either overweight or obese.
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan on 15 Jun 2020
Transport snags for job-seeking fruit pickers
Less than 20% of local candidates remained in the recruitment stage of the Government fruit pickers scheme.
Contributor on 14 May 2020
Gardening jobs to do in May
Klaus Laitenberger takes us through some of the jobs get done in vegetable garden during May.
Photo Desk on 10 May 2020
This week in photos: drawing silage, picking strawberries and making hay
Our top farming photos from the past week include drawing silage from Italian rye grass, harrowing a field in preparation to plant hemp, picking strawberries on whelock fruit farm and making hay.
The Dealer on 09 May 2020
The Big Dealer: Watch the mouse now lads: new mart lingo takes hold
Taoiseach on direct payments, supporting essential workers, roosters cause ructions, TDs argue over tourism capital and much more in this week's The Big Dealer.
The Dealer on 06 May 2020
Lack of eligible workers for Keelings jobs
While there was controversy over Keeling's flying in workers to pick fruit last month, it appears that not enough people on these shores are eligible to do the job.