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News
Farm Tech Talk: SCEP, clover and milk processors
Jack Kennedy
On the agenda this week, we chat about various farm schemes and look at the future finances of some major milk processors.
Farm Tech Talk: SCEP, clover and milk processors
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
130% rise in new forestry planting since 2024
James Hanly
130% rise in new forestry planting since 2024
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae welcomed the news and said that there are more than 6,000ha licensed and available to plant.
Dale Farm to make 13th payment
David Wright
Dale Farm to make 13th payment
An additional payment is to be made by Dale Farm across all litres produced in the 12 months to the end of March 2025.
James Hanly
Registrations open for Freemount Macra tractor run
James Hanly
McGrath announced as new Dairygold chief financial officer
Noel Bardon
Weekend weather: Saturday to bring return to more typical spring conditions
Sprayers out of winter storage. Early season tasks on winter cereals SPONSORED
Sprayers out of winter storage. Early season tasks on winter cereals
Early Season Crop Care: Key Spraying and Nutrient Strategies for Winter Cereals.
MART REPORTS
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
Rachel Gallagher
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
Rachel Gallagher reports from GVM Tullamore for the weekly sheep sale.
Camera at the Mart: spring lambs hit a high of €6/kg in Raphoe
Rachel Gallagher
Camera at the Mart: spring lambs hit a high of €6/kg in Raphoe
Rachel Gallagher reports from Raphoe Livestock Mart for the weekly sheep sale.
Camera at the Mart: lively trade leads to 100% clearance for weanlings
Rachel Gallagher
Camera at the Mart: lively trade leads to 100% clearance for weanlings
Rachel Gallagher reports from Carnew Livestock Mart for the weekly weanling sale.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
‘Outdated’ caps on valuations after TB must be increased - ICSA
James Hanly
‘Outdated’ caps on valuations after TB must be increased - ICSA
Government’s failure to attend Mercosur meeting ‘unacceptable’ – Sinn Féin
James Hanly
Government’s failure to attend Mercosur meeting ‘unacceptable’ – Sinn Féin
Mart buyers light up calf trade
Tommy Moyles
Mart buyers light up calf trade
Over 1,300 SCEP farmers yet to receive 2024 payment
Adam Woods
Over 1,300 SCEP farmers yet to receive 2024 payment
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
‘Outdated’ caps on valuations after TB must be increased - ICSA
James Hanly
‘Outdated’ caps on valuations after TB must be increased - ICSA
As a stakeholder in the TB forum, the association put forward the proposal for the revised TB strategy and is awaiting on revised proposals from the Department of Agriculture.
McGrath announced as new Dairygold chief financial officer
James Hanly
McGrath announced as new Dairygold chief financial officer
He comes to Dairygold from Bord na Móna, where he served as both CFO and chief operational officer of the semi-State energy company.
Rachel Donovan
Watch: farmer delivers triplet calves on Tipperary farm
e-Learning
Noel Bardon
Map: more areas to face 220kg N/ha derogation stocking rate limit
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
Peak nematodirus hatching in NI from 25 March to 3 April
Darren Carty
Peak nematodirus hatching in NI from 25 March to 3 April
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
Rachel Gallagher
Large number of heavy hoggets hit the ring in Tullamore
Easter demand lifts lamb price to €10/kg
Darren Carty
Easter demand lifts lamb price to €10/kg
Sheep Trends: lamb prices edge closer to €10/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: lamb prices edge closer to €10/kg
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
‘Outdated’ caps on valuations after TB must be increased - ICSA
James Hanly
‘Outdated’ caps on valuations after TB must be increased - ICSA
As a stakeholder in the TB forum, the association put forward the proposal for the revised TB strategy and is awaiting on revised proposals from the Department of Agriculture.
Patrick Donohoe appointed new CEO of AHI
Amy Forde
Patrick Donohoe appointed new CEO of AHI
Patrick Donohoe has held the role of chief corporate affairs officer at Lakeland Dairies for the last number of years.
PEDIGREE
Armageddon lands top price in awesome Carrick sale
Adam Woods
Armageddon lands top price in awesome Carrick sale
It was an exciting day at the show and sale of bulls and heifers at the showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon, writes Adam Woods.
Skipton spring working dog sale tops out at £9,000
Rachel Gallagher
Skipton spring working dog sale tops out at £9,000
Rachel Gallagher reports on the recent CCM Skipton Auction Mart's Spring working sheepdog sale.
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.
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf BuildingSPONSORED
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf Building
Proper calf shed ventilation is crucial for maximising calf performance and profitability.
Sprayers out of winter storage. Early season tasks on winter cerealsSPONSORED
Sprayers out of winter storage. Early season tasks on winter cereals
Early Season Crop Care: Key Spraying and Nutrient Strategies for Winter Cereals.
Reliable Ecosyl delivering quality silage for dairy farming brothersSPONSORED
Reliable Ecosyl delivering quality silage for dairy farming brothers
The reliability provided by Ecosyl additive is delivering quality silage and peace of mind for two dairy farming brothers in County Kilkenny.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
First signs of turbulence for US exporters
Phelim O'Neill
First signs of turbulence for US exporters
US beef and pork exports in February were beginning to show signs of disruption which will increase in subsequent months.
Pause on US tariffs offers breathing space for Ireland
Phelim O'Neill
Pause on US tariffs offers breathing space for Ireland
President Trump slashes tariffs announced last week for all trading partners, but goes the opposite way with China.
Farming braces for Trump's trade war
Caitríona Morrissey
Farming braces for Trump's trade war
Donald Trump has started a trade war that will hit Irish farmers, agribusinesses and food exporters. Caitríona Morrissey reports.
Lakeland returns to profitability in 2024
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Lakeland returns to profitability in 2024
The cross-border co-op continues efficiency drive across operations.
TILLAGE
Tillage Podcast: looking for big yields in super weather
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: looking for big yields in super weather
Progress made to ‘protect’ Irish dairy and whiskey from tariffs - Harris
James Hanly
Progress made to ‘protect’ Irish dairy and whiskey from tariffs - Harris
Grain Trends: steady markets among tariffs
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: steady markets among tariffs
Tillage management: farmers getting up to date in the fields
Siobhán Walsh
New crop protection magazine on the way
Tillage Podcast: looking for big yields in super weather SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Claas introduce Night Edition Scorpion telehandlers
Gary Abbott
Claas introduce Night Edition Scorpion telehandlers
Following on from the introduction of its limited edition Night Edition Arion and Axion tractor models, Claas has now launched a Night Edition package for four of its Scorpion telehandler models.
JCB appoints fifth and final Irish agriculture dealer
Peter Thomas Keaveney
JCB appoints fifth and final Irish agriculture dealer
JCB has just appointed McHale Farm Machinery as its latest agriculture dealer in Ireland.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
JCB’S new USA plant to double in size in wake of Trump’s tariffs
Peter Thomas Keaveney
US tariffs to hit Irish machinery companies
Gary Abbott
Manufacturing the Merlo way
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
Prime grassland on the River Nore
Paul Mooney
Prime grassland on the River Nore
This 46ac holding also comes with a derelict cottage. It's going for public auction, writes Paul Mooney.
Two mid-size farms for auction
Paul Mooney
Two mid-size farms for auction
One is 28ac, the other is 51.7ac. Both holdings are non-residential and have laneway access. Paul Mooney reports.
Good land and traditional cottage in Tipp
Paul Mooney
Good land and traditional cottage in Tipp
The holding is half in tillage, half in grass and is good productive land. Paul Mooney reports.
BUILDINGS
Reinvesting in suckler facilities as prices remain strong
Martin Merrick
Reinvesting in suckler facilities as prices remain strong
Suckler farmers are achieving prices that they never have before, so it might be an apt time to reinvest back in to the business with additional facilities.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Concerns over re-use of ACRES scorecards
Declan O’Brien
Concerns over re-use of ACRES scorecards
The INHFA has warned that ACRES scorecards cannot become a 'stick to beat farmers with' into the future.
Uisce Éireann fined over €9,000 for sewage pollution in Cavan
James Hanly
Uisce Éireann fined over €9,000 for sewage pollution in Cavan
The water utility was found to have committed a water pollution breach at a court case in Cavan District Court on 7 February.
RENEWABLES
Over 1,000ac of solar farms refused permission
Stephen Robb
Over 1,000ac of solar farms refused permission
The two large scale solar projects, located in Carlow and Kildare, were refused permission on multiple grounds, including impact on residents, biodiversity and farmland.
Solar farms supplied 2.8% of Ireland’s electricity in March – EirGrid
Stephen Robb
Solar farms supplied 2.8% of Ireland’s electricity in March – EirGrid
While just under 3% of total electricity generation came from solar for the month, during particularly sunny periods this peaked at over 18%, the network operator has said.
FORESTRY
130% rise in new forestry planting since 2024
James Hanly
130% rise in new forestry planting since 2024
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae welcomed the news and said that there are more than 6,000ha licensed and available to plant.
Fitzmaurice calls for legislation targeting road and power cable tree risks
Noel Bardon
Fitzmaurice calls for legislation targeting road and power cable tree risks
Environmental commentator Sadhbh O’Neill disputed the TD's proposals for the removal of trees within 30m of roads or power lines.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Peak nematodirus hatching in NI from 25 March to 3 April
Darren Carty
Peak nematodirus hatching in NI from 25 March to 3 April
The AFBI warning states that 10% of the hatch on Northern Ireland farms occurred in the second week of March, with peak hatching in the last days of March and first days of April 2025.
Northern Ireland ‘remaining central’ to UK agri-food supply chain - UFU
James Hanly
Northern Ireland ‘remaining central’ to UK agri-food supply chain - UFU
The annual Northern Ireland Food and Drinks Processing Report published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, showed the sector’s turnover rose by 11% from 2021 to 2022.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Food
The perfect dessert centerpiece for your Easter table
This tart combines two of our very favourite desserts – Banoffee and baked custard – and the result is sweet, creamy and downright delicious, writes Janine Kennedy.
The perfect dessert centerpiece for your Easter table
Food
Meet the Kish monger
Comment
How is your head space with all this talk on tariffs?
Property
Two mid-size farms for auction
Property
Prime grassland on the River Nore
Split holding in Cavan at €6,000/ac
Paul Mooney
Split holding in Cavan at €6,000/ac
The two parcels are within walking distance of each other and are going for auction, writes Paul Mooney.
Good land and traditional cottage in Tipp
Paul Mooney
Good land and traditional cottage in Tipp
The holding is half in tillage, half in grass and is good productive land. Paul Mooney reports.
‘It is quite unprecedented that farmers in most sectors are happy with returns'
Contributor
‘It is quite unprecedented that farmers in most sectors are happy with returns'
The workload is wasing on dairy farms as calving comes to an end. The fine weather is finally here and starting to drive on grass growth.
How to track a pension from a previous job
Contributor
How to track a pension from a previous job
What happens to your pension when you leave a job and how do you locate it?
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers sow, graze and showcase spring farming
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers sow, graze and showcase spring farming
Watch: this week in photos as spring lambs, record sales and farming life unfold
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as spring lambs, record sales and farming life unfold
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
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: is milk price of €1/l possible?
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Home Farm: Area aid form and maps arrive
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Editorial: the art of negotiation
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: calf prices go up
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Beef prices could be hit by new TB proposals
 
Beef prices could be hit by new TB proposals
Factories try to pour cold water on the beef trade
 
Factories try to pour cold water on the beef trade
In pictures: insatiable demand as cows average over €3,050 in New Ross
 
In pictures: insatiable demand as cows average over €3,050 in New Ross
Mart buyers light up calf trade
 
Mart buyers light up calf trade
JCB appoints fifth and final Irish agriculture dealer
 
JCB appoints fifth and final Irish agriculture dealer
Forestry contractors seek forest machine import ban
 
Forestry contractors seek forest machine import ban
Beef price had to rise in England
 
Beef price had to rise in England
Beef Trends: trade remains very strong
 
Beef Trends: trade remains very strong
Over 1,000ac of solar farms refused permission
 
Over 1,000ac of solar farms refused permission
McGrath announced as new Dairygold chief financial officer
 
McGrath announced as new Dairygold chief financial officer