Heifer trade strengthens to €4.30/kg

In one of our lead stories this week, Pat O’Toole delivers the good news on cattle trade factory prices. Factory quotes are up to as high as €4.30/kg for heifers and €4.10 for steers. To read more on the latest figures for the cattle and sheep trade, read Pat’s report here.

New farming organisation

On Tuesday this week the news broke that former IFA member Colm O’Donnell was setting up a new farming organisation. In his analysis Pat O’Toole looks at the issue of the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) that led to the formation of this as yet unnamed group.

Greenway proposals anger Galway farmers

In 2012 former tourism minister Leo Varadkar announced plans to build a scenic cycling route and walkway from Dublin to Galway. However, the proposed route will see a wide track cut through dozens of farms. Read Patrick Donohoe’s report on Galway farmers' concerns here

Legal query on the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme

This week Aisling Meehan, our legal correspondent, answers the query of young farmer who wants to maximise his benefits under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme. You can read the advice Aisling gave to the young famer here

Farmer Writes

Bill O’Keefe, a dairy farmer from Co Kilkenny, writes about the preparations underway on his farm for calving season. From hosting an open day on calf rearing to becoming a monitor farm for the Gain Heifer Rearing programme, Bill is certainly keeping busy. Read his thoughts on the upcoming season here

When you marry a farmer

It all started on Twitter last week with #FiveWordsToRuinADateWithAFarmer. Then it became #MarriedAFarmer... We collected some of the best tweets on both and #MarriedAFarmer has become our most popular story this week. Check it out and add your own suggestions here