Labour
Contributor on 07 Apr 2021
Know your machinery costs to help manage your contracting business
Michael Moroney from the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) looks at the hourly costs of operating a tractor and advises contractors to spend time examining machinery costs.
Andy Doyle on 05 Apr 2021
8,300 hectares with one seed drill
Farming over 8,000ha might seem like a dream, but you won't have too many neighbours calling in because they are not there.
Ask Miriam on 17 Mar 2021
Dear Miriam: ‘My husband is taking advantage of our children’s labour’
Dear Miriam, my husband is working our children very hard and won’t listen to me
Derek Robinson on 17 Mar 2021
The annual dilemma with surplus lambs
The ideal at lambing is plenty of doubles and a few singles writes Co Down sheep farmer Derek Robinson
Niall Hurson on 10 Mar 2021
One-thousandth Lely Vector exits production line
Lely has seen sales of the Vector grow significantly and expects that automatic feeding will be just as accepted and applied as automatic milking in the future.
Andy Doyle on 08 Mar 2021
Over 30,000ha and expanding in Western Australia
The Fowler farm at Chilwell was a very impressive operation, which was well run by very nice people as an integrated multi-enterprise business.
Brian Nicholson on 03 Mar 2021
Farmer Writes: lambing kicks off and workload increases
We have a system in place in the shed, when a sheep is placed in a pen, we have a little chart on the gate to record the time and any important details, writes Brian Nicholson.
on 03 Mar 2021
Grass+ Dairy: spring into action
John Crowe and Declan Marren discuss what has been a great week for getting stock out to grass
Darren Carty on 27 Feb 2021
Lambing refresher - a practical guide to lambing the ewe
The diagrammatic guide looks at the various ways in which lambs may be presented for lambing and includes advice and tips to address these malpresentations.
Derek Robinson on 24 Feb 2021
Investing in sheep for my old age
Co Down farmer Derek Robinson has kitted out his new lambing shed with labour saving in mind
Peter McCann on 24 Feb 2021
Starmer questions £2.4bn state spend on food
It was the first time that a Labour Party leader has spoken at the National Farmers' Union conference since 2008.
Darren Carty on 10 Feb 2021
Simple records can deliver big benefits
Although lambing is a busier period than housing, weaning and mating combined apportioning some time to recording even a small volume of data can deliver invaluable data.
Gary Abbott on 09 Feb 2021
FCI announces 4% increase in 2021 contractor charges
The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has published its contracting charges guide for 2021. Charges have increased by 4% on average across the board. Gary Abbott writes.
Kieran Mailey on 02 Feb 2021
Five safety tips when assisting cows at calving time
Cows can become extremely temperamental at calving time, so always keep safety in mind when giving animals assistance. Outlined are five tips to improve safety when calving cows.
David Wright on 27 Jan 2021
Farmers need to be alert to COVID-19
With labour stretched in the spring, the last thing any farm family needs is this virus entering their home.
Ask Miriam on 06 Jan 2021
Dear Miriam: ‘I don’t like my bridesmaid dress’
Dear Miriam, can I ask my friend to change her bridesmaid dresses?
Adam Woods on 06 Jan 2021
Slave labour uncovered on Brazilian cattle farms
Several instances of slave labour were found on cattle farms supplying some of Brazil’s major beef processors. Adam Woods writes
Peter Thomas Keaveney on 30 Dec 2020
UK agricultural contractors to get access to grant funding
UK agricultural contractors will have access to Farming Investment Fund grants in 2021 and beyond, according to the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) in the UK.
Katie Barragry on 25 Dec 2020
Celebrating new life at Christmas amid the pandemic
With over 30 years of midwifery experience, Marie Walsh from Tipperary speaks about life on her family farm, the pandemic and her rewarding profession. Katie Barragry writes.
Darren Carty on 22 Dec 2020
Investment in livestock handling holding strong
Manufacturers and suppliers of handling equipment report a marked increase in sales which is driven by expansion in dairy herds and part-time enterprises looking to improve labour efficiency.