West Cork pig farmer Cathal O’Donovan was among the medal winners as Leitrim’s hurlers claimed the Lory Meagher cup in Croke Park last weekend, I see.

Neither Leitrim nor west Cork would be considered hotbeds of hurling in the eyes of GAA aficionados, but a special rule that applies to developing counties in hurling led to the Arigideen Rangers player running out at GAA headquarters in O’Rourke county colours.

The rule applies to Co Leitrim, so it is permitted up to five guest players.

Acquainted with some Leitrim folk in UCD, the Timoleague native did part of his college work experience in the county and the rest, as they say, is history.

I hear Macra president Thomas Duffy made a speech on Sunday in not one, not two, but three languages.

Like the other speakers at the garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin, he spoke in English and Irish. However, the addition of Polish really made heads turn.

This is part of his campaign to make the organisation more inclusive. For those who were lost in translation, he included a quote from Macra founder Stephen Cullinane in Polish. “The promised land is ahead – a rural people established on good will and co-operation.”

The Dealer was surprised to hear cattle prices being discussed by a High Court judge and a witness under oath this week.

The witness in question was farmer Tom Morrin, who was faced with selling his cattle, while Justice Tony O’Connor was trying to find out if he thought he’d get a good price for them in Blessington Mart.

Usually it’s legal jargon that bamboozles farmers, but it was clear that the other legal eagles in the room were the ones perplexed as the chat moved on to movement forms and land rental. In closing, the judge said he “professes no expertise in cattle management”, but The Dealer reckons the judge’s Mayo roots shone through in the court room.

The Dealer has often heard farmers talking about pigs flying but the term “flying bulls” is a new one on me.

It seems the looming BDGP deadline prompted some farmers to think outside the box to try to meet scheme deadlines.

One pedigree breeder had a phone call from a farmer wanting to know if he had any bulls left, five stars of course.

The breeder said he had just two left. After 10 minutes chatting about the bulls in question, the farmer told the breeder he had a good bull of his own but he was only three stars.

He then enquired if the breeder had not sold his five-star bull by 30 June, would he consider transferring the five-star bull out to him for a fortnight or so until the deadline passed and he would transfer him back.

If bulls could fly…

The Royal Highland Show has become the new social outing of the year for the pedigree classes of Irish stockmen and women.

The four-day event is one of the largest annual gatherings of Scottish farmers and is fast becoming the go-to event for Irish farmers also. The Dealer bumped into the Kiernan Milling sales team among numerous other Irish companies exhibiting at the event. Hordes of Irish cattle and sheep enthusiasts thronged the ringside watching judging each day.

“The plane journey over was like getting a bus to Balla Mart on a Saturday,” one visitor said.

There was even an Irish judge deliberating in the ring – Des Dunne from Castlemartin, Co Kildare, was tasked with judging the Belted Galloways at the show.

Aer Lingus is still serving Brazilian chicken on board its transatlantic flights, I see. This time last year they served The Dealer’s friend an aromatic chicken and bell pepper lattice pastry, produced in the UK using chicken from Brazil. Lo and behold didn’t they serve my friend the same thing again when he was off on his holibobs this year. Aer Lingus tells me its ‘Monty’s Bakehouse’ products “will shortly be discontinued.”

Wexford and Kilkenny will line out in Croke Park on Sunday in the Leinster senior hurling final. While I’m sure there will be plenty of clashes on the pitch, both teams will have a common denominator – they are sponsored by Glanbia. Wexford are sponsored by GAIN animal nutrition and Glanbia Agribusiness, while Kilkenny are sponsored by Avonmore.

I see that AXA has teamed up with Macra to take part in the 2019 Pride parade.

Both Macra and AXA will be promoting LGBTQ+ rights at this year’s parade.

Massey Ferguson has supplied a rainbow-wrapped tractor for the occasion and Lynch Trailers of Cork will supply a rainbow-wrapped trailer on the day.