TOP STORIES
Life
Frustration over delays and price inflation tainting VPRG support
Jacqueline Hogge
As interest grows in grants offered for the renovation of older homes in rural Ireland, there is concern over alleged price inflation applied by approved providers, writes Jacqueline Hogge.
Frustration over delays and price inflation tainting VPRG support
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
ACRES rare breeds – registered offspring must be produced by end of year three
Darren Carty
ACRES rare breeds – registered offspring must be produced by end of year three
Participants who selected the rare breeds action must produce at least one offspring that is registered with the relevant breed society.
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
Amy Forde
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
It has now been just over a week since Hungary declared its first case of the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease in 50 years.
Darren Carty
12% increase in LambPlus participation in 2025
Jack Kennedy
Farm Tech Talk: booming beef prices, rewetting and milk solids
Rachel Gallagher
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulse SPONSORED
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulse
Suitable for existing and new tanks - 60% TAMS approved. Agitates slurry. Improves safety. Enhances nutrients.
MART REPORTS
Watch: 1,200 cattle generate turnover of €1.85m in Kilkenny mart
Darren Carty
Watch: 1,200 cattle generate turnover of €1.85m in Kilkenny mart
Beef bullocks averaged €3.93/kg or €2,565 per head while beef heifers averaged €4.10/kg or €2,587 per head.
Camera at the Mart: strong northern demand for breeding heifers in Balla
Martin Merrick
Camera at the Mart: strong northern demand for breeding heifers in Balla
High-end heifers saw northern buyers battle with local farmers to secure lots, with exporters coming out on top for the most part.
Camera at the Mart: super demand for beef calves in Kilmallock
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: super demand for beef calves in Kilmallock
Calves from beef sires dominated the numbers at Monday's calf sale in Kilmallock Mart and they met excellent ringside demand.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Watch: 1,200 cattle generate turnover of €1.85m in Kilkenny mart
Darren Carty
Watch: 1,200 cattle generate turnover of €1.85m in Kilkenny mart
The Grass Week: second-round grass looking set to be tight
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: second-round grass looking set to be tight
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
Amy Forde
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
Value of Brazil's beef exports continue upward trend
Phelim O'Neill
Value of Brazil's beef exports continue upward trend
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
One new variety makes maize list
Siobhán Walsh
One new variety makes maize list
One new variety has been added to the maize recommended list. This list only tested varieties for uncovered conditions.
Ornua warns of trade war impact on global dairy markets
Amy Forde
Ornua warns of trade war impact on global dairy markets
Meanwhile, global milk supply in January was flat in 2024, increasing by just 0.1% for the month.
James Hanly
Agri jobs: internship role at US corn farm
e-Learning
Amy Forde
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
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
12% increase in LambPlus participation in 2025
Darren Carty
12% increase in LambPlus participation in 2025
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Sheep Trends: factories pull hoggets by 20c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: factories pull hoggets by 20c/kg
€20/hogget taken from farmers’ pockets
Darren Carty
€20/hogget taken from farmers’ pockets
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Major animal health conference for Galway
Rachel Donovan
Major animal health conference for Galway
The event will take place from 8 to 10 April 2025 at the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Co Galway.
Injustice of the TB income supplement is very clear
Letters to the Editor
Injustice of the TB income supplement is very clear
"Injustice of the TB Income Supplement" - name & details with the editor.
PEDIGREE
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Rachel Gallagher reports on the recent Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale held in Burke’s Livestock Mart, Maam Cross.
Letterkenny Show Society bull sale tops at €5,100
Rachel Gallagher
Letterkenny Show Society bull sale tops at €5,100
Rachel Gallagher reports from Raphoe Livestock Mart for the Letterkenny Show Society annual bull 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.
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulseSPONSORED
EASYFIX launches revolutionary slurry aeration system - ePulse
Suitable for existing and new tanks - 60% TAMS approved. Agitates slurry. Improves safety. Enhances nutrients.
Meath’s green fields inspired Mark to pursue career to protect the environmentSPONSORED
Meath’s green fields inspired Mark to pursue career to protect the environment
Former Meath hurler and senior engineer Mark O’Sullivan is part of a team working to bring more renewables on to the electricity grid.
Newborns 'flourishing' thanks to Flourish Calf SPONSORED
Newborns 'flourishing' thanks to Flourish Calf
Tipperary dairy and beef farmer pleased by 'unreal' impact of milk replacer.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Value of Brazil's beef exports continue upward trend
Phelim O'Neill
Value of Brazil's beef exports continue upward trend
Even though cattle prices are falling, Brazil's beef value is rising on world markets.
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on EU whiskey and alcohol
Noel Bardon
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on EU whiskey and alcohol
Last year, Ireland exported just shy of €900m worth of alcoholic beverages to the US.
US expert warns of potential trade flashpoints in the coming weeks
Lorcan Roche Kelly
US expert warns of potential trade flashpoints in the coming weeks
Key dates are the introduction of steel and aluminium tariffs this week and reciprocal tariffs on 2 April.
Around 30 jobs at risk in Arrabawn Tipperary efficiency drive
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Around 30 jobs at risk in Arrabawn Tipperary efficiency drive
Arrabawn Tipperary Co-op set to begin “consultation” with unions and employees.
TILLAGE
One new variety makes maize list
Siobhán Walsh
One new variety makes maize list
Agri jobs: internship role at US corn farm
James Hanly
Agri jobs: internship role at US corn farm
Malting price offer made by Boortmalt
Siobhán Walsh
Malting price offer made by Boortmalt
Tillage Podcast: fine weather, new products and malt
Noel Bardon
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on EU whiskey and alcohol
One new variety makes maize list SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Krampe takes over Kaweco silage trailers
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Krampe takes over Kaweco silage trailers
Krampe has taken on all of the production rights - as well as the service and spare parts business - of the long-established Dutch manufacturer Kaweco.
US company Carbon Robotics debuts second generation laser weeder
Gary Abbott
US company Carbon Robotics debuts second generation laser weeder
US tech company, Carbon Robotics has debuted its second generation LaserWeeder claiming sub-millimetre weed control and a reduction in weed control costs of up to 80%.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
2022 McHale Fusion tops contractor retirement sales at €60,000
Gary Abbott
Lely Juno pushes both feed and production on Longford farm
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Setting up the spreader: understanding the difference between urea and compounds
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
Dream house at Lough Derg
Paul Mooney
Dream house at Lough Derg
The owners have carried out tasteful restoration work on the big house.
Auction news: €25,000/ac paid for small parcels
Paul Mooney
Auction news: €25,000/ac paid for small parcels
There were multiple bidders for each of the two small parcels of farmland.
43ac farm of good land near Portumna for €700,000
Paul Mooney
43ac farm of good land near Portumna for €700,000
The property comes with a house and a large number of sheds which are in good working condition.
BUILDINGS
Department raises specification levels for all dairy units
Martin Merrick
Department raises specification levels for all dairy units
Specifications have been revamped for dairy units, which mainly concern wiring and the connection of generators.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Map: new research estimates that 30% of country is covered by peaty soils
Noel Bardon
Map: new research estimates that 30% of country is covered by peaty soils
Low-flying aircraft were able to determine whether a soil was peaty, based on differing levels of radiation detected above peats v non-peats.
Farmer fears over rewetting to the fore in Athlone
Amy Forde
Farmer fears over rewetting to the fore in Athlone
Over 250 farmers attended an IFA meeting about peat soils on Thursday last.
RENEWABLES
Coillte- and ESB-backed 13-turbine new wind farm set for Cork
Stephen Robb
Coillte- and ESB-backed 13-turbine new wind farm set for Cork
A new wind farm on the Cork-Kerry border has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanála.
GAA clarifies position on community solar farms
Stephen Robb
GAA clarifies position on community solar farms
The new service by the Community Climate Change is designed to assist GAA clubs and other community groups in developing renewable energy projects owned by their members
FORESTRY
Forestry replanting grants still in the mix
Declan O’Brien
Forestry replanting grants still in the mix
A decision on replanting supports will be taken once the full extent of the damage from storms Éowyn and Darragh is ascertained.
ICSA calls for ‘NAMA-style rescue plan’ for forestry sector
Noel Bardon
ICSA calls for ‘NAMA-style rescue plan’ for forestry sector
The ICSA is looking for Government action to stabilise timber markets set for an influx of storm-blown product.
NORTHERN IRELAND
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.
NIEA appoints new Lough Neagh inspectors
David Wright
NIEA appoints new Lough Neagh inspectors
The NI Environment Agency has recruited across a range of roles linked to Lough Neagh.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Life
Frustration over delays and price inflation tainting VPRG support
As interest grows in grants offered for the renovation of older homes in rural Ireland, there is concern over alleged price inflation applied by approved providers, writes Jacqueline Hogge.
Frustration over delays and price inflation tainting VPRG support
Comment
Dear Miriam: how do I convince my partner to move back to the countryside?
Comment
Editorial: Times, they are a-changing
Finance
Think twice before you click to avoid scams
Comment
‘Avoid going down rabbit holes with negative thoughts. Stay above ground’
Angus programme encourages innovation
Sarah McIntosh
Angus programme encourages innovation
Biodegradable seaweed packaging, accessibility in farming and increasing consumer awareness at the Certified Irish Angus school’s competition.
Well known tillage farm for sale in Meath
Paul Mooney
Well known tillage farm for sale in Meath
The farm was owned by a founder of the Tayto crisp business and was grew good crops of potatoes.
Dream house at Lough Derg
Paul Mooney
Dream house at Lough Derg
The owners have carried out tasteful restoration work on the big house.
Auction news: €25,000/ac paid for small parcels
Paul Mooney
Auction news: €25,000/ac paid for small parcels
There were multiple bidders for each of the two small parcels of farmland.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers tackle slurry, marts and spring prep
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers tackle slurry, marts and spring prep
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers tend to livestock and land
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos, as farmers tend to livestock and land
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: past mistakes haunting Department initiatives
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: TB developments
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: malting is the future
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: milk solids' importance
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Kerry cuts milk price for February supplies
 
Kerry cuts milk price for February supplies
Six farmers named on tax defaulters' list
 
Six farmers named on tax defaulters' list
Step-by-step guide: how to check if your land is a GAEC 2 peat soil
 
Step-by-step guide: how to check if your land is a GAEC 2 peat soil
Two farmers claim Troy Meats owes them for cattle killed months ago
 
Two farmers claim Troy Meats owes them for cattle killed months ago
Department raises specification levels for all dairy units
 
Department raises specification levels for all dairy units
From leafy suburbs to farm ownership in Australia
 
From leafy suburbs to farm ownership in Australia
Beef quotes edge closer to €8/kg
 
Beef quotes edge closer to €8/kg
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
 
Hungarian foot-and-mouth case not linked to cattle movements
Camera at the Mart: super demand for beef calves in Kilmallock
 
Camera at the Mart: super demand for beef calves in Kilmallock
Agri jobs: internship role at US corn farm
 
Agri jobs: internship role at US corn farm