TOP STORIES
Dairy
Tirlán at the top in February league
Aidan Brennan
The level of out of season supports have been cut for February milk meaning most co-ops are paying a little bit less compared to January, writes Aidan Brennan.
Tirlán at the top in February league
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Ticking the boxes: tillage jobs for the coming weeks
Siobhán Walsh
Ticking the boxes: tillage jobs for the coming weeks
Here are some crops from the southeast last week and some tips on what to have on the to-do list.
Weekend weather: rainy start but settled from Sunday
Rachel Donovan
Weekend weather: rainy start but settled from Sunday
While there will be a little rain and drizzle and some breezy weather on Saturday, there will be a return to settled weather from Sunday, according to Met Éireann.
Rachel Donovan
Department 'greatly exaggerating' impact of animal movements on TB - IFA
Rachel Gallagher
NI Dorset flocks dominate at Worcester
James Hanly
Landowner instructed to remove river crossing by Inland Fisheries Ireland
Farmer's trust in the quality and reliability of Flourish Calf SPONSORED
Farmer's trust in the quality and reliability of Flourish Calf
Trust in both protein quality and the brand are the primary criteria in selecting calf milk replacer in the case of a generational dairy farmer based near the northeast shore of Lough Neagh.
MART REPORTS
Martbids Database: weanling exports double for first months of 2025
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: weanling exports double for first months of 2025
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s beef trade, including what’s happening on live exports this week.
Camera at the Mart: grass buyers out in force in Birr Mart
Rachel Gallagher
Camera at the Mart: grass buyers out in force in Birr Mart
Grass buyers are appearing in greater numbers and are entering a red hot trade, with factory agents and beef finishers driving the trade for finished and store animals.
Camera at the mart: Farmers driving demand for beef calves in Cashel
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the mart: Farmers driving demand for beef calves in Cashel
There was a full clearance of calves in Cashel at the calf sale last Saturday and farmers were to the fore when it came to the purchase of beef-cross calves.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Department TB rationale and funding proposals are ‘shambolic’ – IFA
James Hanly
Department TB rationale and funding proposals are ‘shambolic’ – IFA
Irish beef exports down 9% in January
Phelim O'Neill
Irish beef exports down 9% in January
Department proposal to curb cow sales to stem TB spread
Amy Forde
Department proposal to curb cow sales to stem TB spread
NI Blonde sale record broken in Dungannon
Rachel Gallagher
NI Blonde sale record broken in Dungannon
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Aurivo fined €350,000 for environmental breaches
Contributor
Aurivo fined €350,000 for environmental breaches
Sorcha Crowley reports from Sligo Circuit Criminal Court, where Aurivo Dairy Ingredients was fined in relation to foul odours from its Ballaghaderreen plant and discharge to a nearby river.
Department TB rationale and funding proposals are ‘shambolic’ – IFA
James Hanly
Department TB rationale and funding proposals are ‘shambolic’ – IFA
The proposals, including herds with multiple TB reactors being unable to sell cows freely for three years after being deemed clear of the disease, were put to the TB forum meeting on Wednesday.
Aidan Brennan
Global dairy shortage looming – Bord Bia seminar
e-Learning
Amy Forde
Department proposal to curb cow sales to stem TB spread
Land purchase considerations: key factors for farmers SPONSORED
Land purchase considerations: key factors for farmers
The nature of farming like any business, is that farmers are continually investing in their farms, land, infrastructure, buildings, stock and machinery to improve on-farm efficiencies or productivity
SHEEP
Northern Irish sheep farmers struggling to remain viable without support - UFU
James Hanly
Northern Irish sheep farmers struggling to remain viable without support - UFU
NI Dorset flocks dominate at Worcester
Rachel Gallagher
NI Dorset flocks dominate at Worcester
Sheep Trends: hogget quotes rebound by 20c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: hogget quotes rebound by 20c/kg
Sheep mart prices: hogget prices rise by €3 to €8 per head
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: hogget prices rise by €3 to €8 per head
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Department TB rationale and funding proposals are ‘shambolic’ – IFA
James Hanly
Department TB rationale and funding proposals are ‘shambolic’ – IFA
The proposals, including herds with multiple TB reactors being unable to sell cows freely for three years after being deemed clear of the disease, were put to the TB forum meeting on Wednesday.
Department 'greatly exaggerating' impact of animal movements on TB - IFA
Rachel Donovan
Department 'greatly exaggerating' impact of animal movements on TB - IFA
North Cork IFA hosted a meeting on TB in Corrin Mart, Fermoy on Thursday night 27 March.
PEDIGREE
NI Dorset flocks dominate at Worcester
Rachel Gallagher
NI Dorset flocks dominate at Worcester
Rachel Gallagher reports on the Dorset Emeralds show and sale of Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset sheep at Worcester Livestock Market.
Mountfarna Frankie fires to €10,000 at Holstein Friesian Premier
Nevan McKiernan
Mountfarna Frankie fires to €10,000 at Holstein Friesian Premier
Nevan McKiernan reports on the Irish Holstein Friesian Association Premier Show and Sale at Kilmallock Mart.
Getting through the first SBLAS audit SPONSORED
Getting through the first SBLAS audit
Damien Murray, Origin Green Producer Liaison & Standard Co-Coordinator gives a step by step guide for new suckler members of SBLAS facing their first audit.
Farmer's trust in the quality and reliability of Flourish Calf SPONSORED
Farmer's trust in the quality and reliability of Flourish Calf
Trust in both protein quality and the brand are the primary criteria in selecting calf milk replacer in the case of a generational dairy farmer based near the northeast shore of Lough Neagh.
Technology For Profit: data is key, knowledge is powerSPONSORED
Technology For Profit: data is key, knowledge is power
A stickler for data and detail, Sean Kelly’s focus has remained clear, staying on the family farm to help expand the herd, while keeping sustainability at its core.
Drive performance and profitability with Tirlán’s Milk Solids Growth programmeSPONSORED
Drive performance and profitability with Tirlán’s Milk Solids Growth programme
Efficient milk solids production is a key driver of farm profitability and Tirlán’s Milk Solids Growth programme enables farmers to unlock the full value of every drop of milk their herd produces.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Aurivo fined €350,000 for environmental breaches
Contributor
Aurivo fined €350,000 for environmental breaches
Sorcha Crowley reports from Sligo Circuit Criminal Court, where Aurivo Dairy Ingredients was fined in relation to foul odours from its Ballaghaderreen plant and discharge to a nearby river.
Irish beef exports down 9% in January
Phelim O'Neill
Irish beef exports down 9% in January
An 8% increase in the value of beef exports in January masks a 9% decline in volumes.
Dairygold seeks 1c/l in cost savings
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Dairygold seeks 1c/l in cost savings
Co-op announces the implementation of its business optimisation programme.
Factory selling price not keeping up with cattle price
Phelim O'Neill
Factory selling price not keeping up with cattle price
Factories are getting more for beef they sell but prices not rising as fast as cattle prices.
TILLAGE
Tillage Podcast: disease control and advice on liquid N
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: disease control and advice on liquid N
Grain Trends: steady markets as production estimated up
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: steady markets as production estimated up
Tillage Management: planting, fertiliser and disease control
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Management: planting, fertiliser and disease control
Spring planting continues
Siobhán Walsh
Greener animal feed labels on the way
Tillage Podcast: disease control and advice on liquid N SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Fendt and John Deere top German brand image survey – DLG
Gary Abbott
Fendt and John Deere top German brand image survey – DLG
An annual brand image survey for the German Agricultural Society (DLG) on companies within the agri sector has found Fendt and John Deere to have the best brand images within the machinery category.
Trimble launches technology to enhance RTK GNSS signal
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Trimble launches technology to enhance RTK GNSS signal
Trimble and PTx Trimble have announced the availability of Trimble IonoGuard, which is designed to improve RTK GNSS positioning performance during solar storm events.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Young Stock Podcast: 24-year-old contractor on setting up his own business
Gary Abbott
Massey to prototype hydrogen powered tractor by 2026
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Amazone sales down 10.4% in 2024
New quad bike regulations - are you ready? SPONSORED
New quad bike regulations - are you ready?
Quad bikes are designed to cope with a wide variety of terrain types and so are a fantastic aid for farm work - by Ciaran Roche, FBD risk manager.
PROPERTY
Small holding on offer outside Ballymore Eustace in Kildare
Paul Mooney
Small holding on offer outside Ballymore Eustace in Kildare
This property is well located, mid way between two expanding towns, and has road frontage.
57ac farm with extensive cattle yard going on the market
Paul Mooney
57ac farm with extensive cattle yard going on the market
Most of the land is good quality but some of it needs some improvement work.
‘Different types of buyers’ will be interested in lots in Co Kildare
Paul Mooney
‘Different types of buyers’ will be interested in lots in Co Kildare
The land is in one block but divides naturally into a number of parcels.
BUILDINGS
Getting value for money with farm buildings
Martin Merrick
Getting value for money with farm buildings
When given quotes of farm buildings, some may or may not include a quote for concrete. Martin Merrick details how to make up concrete costs for your farm project.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
‘Guts of a year’ to draw up Nature Restoration Law plan
Noel Bardon
‘Guts of a year’ to draw up Nature Restoration Law plan
There is just one year to set out how Ireland will meet the targets laid out in the EU Nature Restoration Law.
Ball rolling on consultation for key nature restoration law plan
Noel Bardon
Ball rolling on consultation for key nature restoration law plan
Minister of State Christopher O’Sullivan said there are examples of schemes already in play which will inform the approach taken to nature restoration.
RENEWABLES
Permission refused for AD plant in Dublin after approval lapses
Stephen Robb
Permission refused for AD plant in Dublin after approval lapses
Country Crest, which has now appealed the decision, had originally secured planning approval for an anaerobic digestion plant on the site in 2012, but this lapsed in 2023.
Locals left in the dark over gas power plant plans
Stephen Robb
Locals left in the dark over gas power plant plans
Residents in Kentstown, Meath, feel they have been left in the dark about proposals for a new 180MW gas-fired power plant and have vowed to fight it, Stephen Robb Reports
FORESTRY
Forest owners should maximise the salvage value of trees – Minister
Amy Forde
Forest owners should maximise the salvage value of trees – Minister
The Minister encouraged all stakeholders in the selling and buying of timber to engage constructively to ensure that the prices agreed are transparent.
Teagasc announces post-storm timber harvesting events
Amy Forde
Teagasc announces post-storm timber harvesting events
Talking Timber, Teagasc’s annual timber marketing event, also returns with a particular focus on the post-storm harvesting response.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Irish sheep farmers struggling to remain viable without support - UFU
James Hanly
Northern Irish sheep farmers struggling to remain viable without support - UFU
The UFU and the Northern Ireland Sheep Industry Taskforce have reiterated calls for urgent action to support the affected local farmers and to tackle scab appropriately and effectively.
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Peter McCann
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Weekly round-up of news from the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Entertainment
Spoil your mam this Mother's Day
Unique Irish gifts she'll love this Mother's day.
Spoil your mam this Mother's Day
Comment
Editorial: urban focus, rural problems
Irish Horse
Are you breaking the law?
Irish Horse
Department pledges support for equine abattoir and traceability reform
Finance
Consumer rights when your travel is disrupted
‘Unfortunately, every farmer knows when an animal is dead'
Katherine O'Leary
‘Unfortunately, every farmer knows when an animal is dead'
There is a sinking feeling as you approach a dead animal from afar, Katherine O'Leary discovered that one of her heifers was dead.
Well-fenced cattle ground in Westmeath
Paul Mooney
Well-fenced cattle ground in Westmeath
This holding lies in one block and also has a well made cattle handling unit.
57ac farm with extensive cattle yard going on the market
Paul Mooney
57ac farm with extensive cattle yard going on the market
Most of the land is good quality but some of it needs some improvement work.
Small holding on offer outside Ballymore Eustace in Kildare
Paul Mooney
Small holding on offer outside Ballymore Eustace in Kildare
This property is well located, mid way between two expanding towns, and has road frontage.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: this week in photos as farmers plough, sow and learn across Ireland
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers plough, sow and learn across Ireland
Watch: this week in pictures as newborn lambs and farm work unfold
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in pictures as newborn lambs and farm work unfold
Watch: North Tipperary Ploughing Championships 60th anniversary
Photo Desk
Watch: North Tipperary Ploughing Championships 60th anniversary
Watch: This week in photos as farm visits & fertiliser spreading unfold
Photo Desk
Watch: This week in photos as farm visits & fertiliser spreading unfold
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: ten years on from EU milk quotas
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Home Farm: dry weather drives progress
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Dempsey at Large: ownership of breeding rights - a basic principle
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Gerry Boyle: ten years of catch-up after milk quotas
Contributor
Contributor
MOST READ
Landowner instructed to remove river crossing by Inland Fisheries Ireland
 
Landowner instructed to remove river crossing by Inland Fisheries Ireland
Camera at the mart: Farmers driving demand for beef calves in Cashel
 
Camera at the mart: Farmers driving demand for beef calves in Cashel
Beef quotes hit €8/kg amid tight cattle supplies
 
Beef quotes hit €8/kg amid tight cattle supplies
Global dairy shortage looming – Bord Bia seminar
 
Global dairy shortage looming – Bord Bia seminar
Beef bonanza turns dreams into reality
 
Beef bonanza turns dreams into reality
Camera at the Mart: buyers kick on prices for heavy beef-cross calves in Bandon
 
Camera at the Mart: buyers kick on prices for heavy beef-cross calves in Bandon
Mart rings buzzing as record cattle prices keep floor under factories
 
Mart rings buzzing as record cattle prices keep floor under factories
Young Stock Podcast: 24-year-old contractor on setting up his own business
 
Young Stock Podcast: 24-year-old contractor on setting up his own business
Mountfarna Frankie fires to €10,000 at Holstein Friesian Premier
 
Mountfarna Frankie fires to €10,000 at Holstein Friesian Premier
Department proposal to curb cow sales to stem TB spread
 
Department proposal to curb cow sales to stem TB spread