Suckler herd

Finishers assess wreckage of their worst winter

Any gains from a bumper year in 2025 have been completely washed away by toughest winter for cattle finishers since the dark days of BSE in the 1990s.

NEWS 3 June 2026

Finishers assess wreckage of their worst winter

MOST READ STORIES

1

2

3

4

5

Farmer Writes: raising the breeding bar

Farmer Writes: raising the breeding bar

FARMER WRITES 27 May 2026

Bulling heifers are slow to come into heat

Bulling heifers are slow to come into heat

FARMER WRITES 27 May 2026

Bovine birth registrations still trending above 2025 levels

Bovine birth registrations still trending above 2025 levels

Bovine birth registrations still trending above 2025 levels

NEWS 24 May 2026

Inside the Farmers Journal: the suckler revival

Inside the Farmers Journal: the suckler revival

Inside the Farmers Journal: the suckler revival

NEWS 21 May 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

US suckler slide could underpin Irish price

US suckler slide could underpin Irish price

Meat sector analyst Rupert Claxton said any short-term reduction in Irish store or weanling prices would not be significant.

NEWS 11 February 2026

Camera at the Mart: keen demand for store bullocks and cows in Manorhamilton

Camera at the Mart: keen demand for store bullocks and cows in Manorhamilton

Buyers were active for good store-type animals, with feedlot buyers and finishers competitive ringside.

MARKETS 11 February 2026

Focus beef breeding: signs of stability in suckler herd

Focus beef breeding: signs of stability in suckler herd

The number of suckler cows on farms was just 5,000 head lower on 1 February while birth registrations in 2026 are running 14,000 head higher and first-calf heifers are up by 5%

BEEF BREEDING 11 February 2026

National cattle herd almost 78,000 head higher on 1 February

National cattle herd almost 78,000 head higher on 1 February

There is hugely contrasting figures, with over 115,000 more beef cattle on farms, while dairy heifers are running over 49,000 head lower and dairy males over 16,000 head lower.

NEWS 11 February 2026

Two winters to get the cattle herd genotyped

Two winters to get the cattle herd genotyped

David Wright reports from a training event on the bovine genetics programme, held at CAFRE Greenmount.

NORTHERN IRELAND 11 February 2026

Farmer Writes: crush work could get calving underway

Farmer Writes: crush work could get calving underway

A TB test on the eve of calving could result in the yard getting a bit busier for Tommy Moyles on his farm at Ardfield, Clonakilty, Co Cork.

FARMER WRITES 11 February 2026

My sucklers are missing the profit gene

My sucklers are missing the profit gene

John Egerton recently took part in a pilot programme ahead of the rollout of the Bovine Genetics Project in NI.

FARMER WRITES 11 February 2026

SPONSORED

Understanding your soils: open day at Johnstown Castle

Understanding the soils on your farm is one of the most important investments you can make for the future.

Understanding your soils: open day at Johnstown Castle

LOAD MORE STORIES