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Farm Tech Talk: calf trade, Mercosur safeguards and wool insulation

On this week’s Farm Tech Talk, the team brings you the latest on the Bord Bia and IFA standoff, the calf trade, what the new VAT changes mean for you and using grass and wool in building materials.

PODCAST 13 February 2026

Farm Tech Talk: calf trade, Mercosur safeguards and wool insulation

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Chinese market reopens for Irish livestock hides

Chinese market reopens for Irish livestock hides

NEWS 12 February 2026

Potential redundancies at ABP Waterford as cattle supplies fall

Potential redundancies at ABP Waterford as cattle supplies fall

NEWS 12 February 2026

Dawn Farm Foods was listed as QA on Bord Bia website when it was not QA

Dawn Farm Foods was listed as QA on Bord Bia website when it was not QA

Dawn Farm Foods was listed as QA on Bord Bia website when it was not QA

NEWS 12 February 2026

Friesian bull calf prices double on 2025 levels

Friesian bull calf prices double on 2025 levels

Friesian bull calf prices double on 2025 levels

NEWS 12 February 2026

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Exporters are outbid for calves

Exporters are outbid for calves

While early calf sales are always good, the outlook for the 2026 trade is positive.

NEWS 4 February 2026

Mart bovine sales fall by just 22,268 head in 2025

Mart bovine sales fall by just 22,268 head in 2025

End-of-year throughput figures published by the Department of Agriculture show marts performed positively despite fewer calf births and a reduction in cattle numbers.

NEWS 4 February 2026

3,500 reactors valued above TB compensation ceilings

3,500 reactors valued above TB compensation ceilings

Some 3,500 reactors out of a total of just under 40,000 identified last year were valued above the Department's compensation ceilings.

NEWS 4 February 2026

Deadline to amend SCEP number

Deadline to amend SCEP number

The reference number is a vital component of the scheme, as farmers must calve at least 50% of their reference number annually.

NEWS 4 February 2026

‘Insufficient supports’ for farmers to cut average cattle finishing age

‘Insufficient supports’ for farmers to cut average cattle finishing age

Under the Climate Action Plan, by 2030 the average finishing age of cattle is to be 21.6 months.

NEWS 4 February 2026

Commission holds cards tight on Mercosur

Commission holds cards tight on Mercosur

While the Commission has a mandate to provisionally implement Mercosur before EU courts give their ruling on the matter, no decision has yet been taken, according to Hansen.

NEWS 4 February 2026

Meat factories throw support behind Larry Murrin

Meat factories throw support behind Larry Murrin

The meat factory lobby group likened its members sourcing of food ingredients from overseas to the Irish farm sector’s 'importation of fertilisers and feed'.

NEWS 4 February 2026

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A message from Bord Bia to Irish farmers and growers

Bord Bia addresses the concerns and misinformation that have been raised in recent weeks.

A message from Bord Bia to Irish farmers and growers

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