TOP STORIES
News
Over €8m in Organic Farming Scheme balancing payments issued
James Hanly
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon made the announcement on Wednesday which will see 3,961 farmers or 81% of the scheme participants receive balancing payments.
Over €8m in Organic Farming Scheme balancing payments issued
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Farming For Nature's advisory service open for applications
Rachel Donovan
Farming For Nature's advisory service open for applications
The advisory service is available for 50 farms across Ireland to receive on-the-ground practical advice from fellow farmers.
Compulsory housing order for poultry to be lifted in May
James Hanly
Compulsory housing order for poultry to be lifted in May
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has urged that farmer remain cautious about the risk of avian influenza, as he announced that the measures introduced in February would be lifted.
James Hanly
Slovakian farmer faces prison over EU farm payment fraud
Rachel Donovan
Portumna Mart licence suspended by PSRA
Siobhán Walsh
Make sure you are controlling weeds this spring
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide SPONSORED
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide
The herbicide controls a wide range of weeds, including chickweed, docks, fat-hen, red dead nettle, redshank and fumitory.
MART REPORTS
In pictures: calf numbers holding steady in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
In pictures: calf numbers holding steady in Bandon
Calf numbers held steady and there was a bit more appetite for heavier calves in Bandon Mart this week, reports Tommy Moyles.
Portumna Mart cancels this week’s sales
Darren Carty
Portumna Mart cancels this week’s sales
The mart sent correspondence to customers notifying them that sales including Monday’s calf and weanling sale and Wednesday’s cattle sale had been cancelled.
Exporters continue to drive weanling bull trade
Adam Woods
Exporters continue to drive weanling bull trade
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s happening in the country’s marts.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Beef prices: processors peel another 10c/kg off quotes
Adam Woods
Beef prices: processors peel another 10c/kg off quotes
In pictures: calf numbers holding steady in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
In pictures: calf numbers holding steady in Bandon
Slovakia bans mart sales and shows to stem foot-and-mouth risks
James Hanly
Slovakia bans mart sales and shows to stem foot-and-mouth risks
Portumna Mart cancels this week’s sales
Darren Carty
Portumna Mart cancels this week’s sales
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Waterford family named Tirlán milk supplier of the year
James Hanly
Waterford family named Tirlán milk supplier of the year
The co-operative held its dairy and sustainability awards on Tuesday 29 April, which recognised the commitment of Tirlán suppliers who delivered high-quality sustainably produced milk.
Slovakia bans mart sales and shows to stem foot-and-mouth risks
James Hanly
Slovakia bans mart sales and shows to stem foot-and-mouth risks
The Slovakian government announced the “extraordinary emergency measures” on Monday in an effort to stem the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and it will be in effect until further notice.
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Management: heat detection the main task as breeding season kicks off
e-Learning
James Hanly
Agri jobs: horticulture workers needed for Meath fruit farm
Using rumen-protected fat to support fertility and milk fat at turnout SPONSORED
Using rumen-protected fat to support fertility and milk fat at turnout
Rumen-protected fats provide energy without acid to help stabilise rumen conditions while also supporting fertility and milk fat production.
SHEEP
Department looks to streamline BSE and scrapie lab tests
James Hanly
Department looks to streamline BSE and scrapie lab tests
Sheep price update: steadier tone as numbers tighten significantly
Darren Carty
Sheep price update: steadier tone as numbers tighten significantly
Mountbellew Mart to host European and Connacht sheep shearing championships
Darren Carty
Mountbellew Mart to host European and Connacht sheep shearing championships
The Grass Week: variable grazing conditions as heavy rainfall hits some
Martin Merrick
The Grass Week: variable grazing conditions as heavy rainfall hits some
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
90% increase in BVD positive calves
Darren Carty
90% increase in BVD positive calves
The increase to 359 head stems from some herds recording significant breakdowns with the herd prevalence increasing by less than 20%.
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
Noel Bardon
TB reactors up 8.5% so far this year
The number of cattle going down in TB tests was up over 8% when comparing the first three months of 2025 with the same months last year.
PEDIGREE
Charolais bulls average €5,310 in Tullamore
Nevan McKiernan
Charolais bulls average €5,310 in Tullamore
Just five Charolais bulls went home unsold in what was a lively sale in Golden Vale Mart, Tullamore, on Saturday 26 April, writes Nevan McKiernan
Watch: Coolroehouse Abbott Ann crowned Emerald Expo Champion
Adam Woods
Watch: Coolroehouse Abbott Ann crowned Emerald Expo Champion
Adam Woods reports from the Emerald Expo dairy show which took place in Virginia, Co Cavan today.
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.
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide SPONSORED
ProClova XL: the ideal post-reseeding herbicide
The herbicide controls a wide range of weeds, including chickweed, docks, fat-hen, red dead nettle, redshank and fumitory.
Honda Launches First-Ever 0% Finance Deal on Lawn and Garden Range SPONSORED
Honda Launches First-Ever 0% Finance Deal on Lawn and Garden Range
With the return of warmer days and the fresh scent of cut grass in the air, homeowners across the country are turning their attention to lawn care.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel
Green diesel users should be aware that the carbon tax is set to increase by a further €7.50/t, from 1 May 2025, with the price hike estimated by suppliers to add in the region of 2c/l.
Aurivo reports 236% increase in operating profit in 2024
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Aurivo reports 236% increase in operating profit in 2024
Co-op reported higher revenue, operating profit and milk supply in 2024.
Tirlán’s profit was little changed in 2024
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Tirlán’s profit was little changed in 2024
Ireland’s largest co-op saw its milk supply drop by 1% last year.
US tariffs will cool beef import demand
Phelim O'Neill
US tariffs will cool beef import demand
Trump tariffs are a disruptor for global trade and a sustained weakening of the US dollar would make things worse.
TILLAGE
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel
Make sure you are controlling weeds this spring
Siobhán Walsh
Make sure you are controlling weeds this spring
The aphicide debate: to spray or not to spray
Siobhán Walsh
The aphicide debate: to spray or not to spray
Tillage podcast: Spraying, potatoes and politics
Siobhán Walsh
Grain trends: prices drop this week, currency hitting markets
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Further carbon tax to be added to green diesel
Green diesel users should be aware that the carbon tax is set to increase by a further €7.50/t, from 1 May 2025, with the price hike estimated by suppliers to add in the region of 2c/l.
Vintage tractor motoring in Monaghan
James Hanly
Vintage tractor motoring in Monaghan
Alex Hawthorne, a farmer from Aghabog, Co Monaghan, has been called on to help local farmers with sowing and spreading fertiliser in recent weeks with his vintage David Brown 996.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kildare dairy farmer's fleet of machinery and equipment up for auction
Peter Thomas Keaveney
European tractor sales hit 10-year low in 2024
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Demand for European machinery is on the rise again
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
65ac holding will be auctioned in two lots in Tipperary
Paul Mooney
65ac holding will be auctioned in two lots in Tipperary
One has a shed and house ruins, the other comes with the option of renting an additional 10ac.
Big farm will generate lots of interest in private treaty sale
Paul Mooney
Big farm will generate lots of interest in private treaty sale
Few farms of this size come on sale. This property also has a large farmyard.
Tipp holding could suit any farming enterprise
Paul Mooney
Tipp holding could suit any farming enterprise
The land is in one large, level field and is currently under cereals.
BUILDINGS
Strength and safety key focus for new suckler calving shed
Martin Merrick
Strength and safety key focus for new suckler calving shed
A newly erected calving shed has farmer safety to the forefront with a well-kitted-out barrier system.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Knowledge sharing key to uptake in water quality measures, study finds
James Hanly
Knowledge sharing key to uptake in water quality measures, study finds
The WaterMARKE project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture, looked at ways to help reach requirements under the water framework directive.
Significant investment needed to achieve climate targets – IFA
James Hanly
Significant investment needed to achieve climate targets – IFA
IFA environment chair John Murphy said that the fairest and most efficient way to support climate action is to incentivise and support farmers to adopt measures in the plan.
RENEWABLES
Biomass essential to Europe’s energy mix - new report
Stephen Robb
Biomass essential to Europe’s energy mix - new report
Excluding biomass from Europe's energy mix could cost €169 billion annually, researchers warn.
Wind supplies 38% of Ireland's electricity so far in 2025
Stephen Robb
Wind supplies 38% of Ireland's electricity so far in 2025
March Wind Energy report shows that Irish wind farms provided 38% of the country’s electricity over the first quarter of 2025.
FORESTRY
Total of 26,000ha of forestry damaged by storms, satellite images confirm
Noel Bardon
Total of 26,000ha of forestry damaged by storms, satellite images confirm
The minister urged forestry owners with impacted sites not to rush any forest management decisions.
Storms flatten over 26,000ha of trees
Donal Magner
Storms flatten over 26,000ha of trees
The detailed mapping assessment was carried out using imagery acquired from the Sentinel and SkySat satellite constellations.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Inheritance tax will ‘starve’ Northern Ireland’s economy
James Hanly
Inheritance tax will ‘starve’ Northern Ireland’s economy
From April 2026, 100% relief for APR and BPR will be limited to the first £1m of combined agricultural property - any value above this is set at 50%.
News in-brief from Northern Ireland
David Wright
News in-brief from Northern Ireland
Weekly news in-brief from across the farming industry in Northern Ireland.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Editorial: ‘why is this noble profession struggling?’
There are less teachers in our children's schools and this was top of the agenda at the teachers conferences this week.
Editorial: ‘why is this noble profession struggling?’
Comment
'The record book will be under my pillow and will have to be wrestled from me'
Property
Tipp holding could suit any farming enterprise
Property
65ac holding will be auctioned in two lots in Tipperary
Property
Big farm will generate lots of interest in private treaty sale
Build a sunny south-east business empire for €1.3m
Paul Mooney
Build a sunny south-east business empire for €1.3m
All of the buildings included in this impressive Wexford property are large in scale and built to last.
Gardening with Paul Maher: glow up with hardy annuals
Contributor
Gardening with Paul Maher: glow up with hardy annuals
Growing annual bedding plants in your garden can save you money while you enjoy the beauty.
Five races to savour at the Punchestown Festival
Mark Costello
Five races to savour at the Punchestown Festival
Mark Costello previews the big race meeting which brings down the curtain on the National Hunt season
Authorities aiming to speed up delivery of houses with new NPF
Jacqueline Hogge
Authorities aiming to speed up delivery of houses with new NPF
County development plans look set to be revisited as councils around the country seek to accelerate building.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Watch: this week in photos as farmers sow, spread and welcome new lambs
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers sow, spread and welcome new lambs
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
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: stock number decline should reignite policy rethink
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Our growing electricity demand
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
Home Farm: Extraordinary spring for cattle trade
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Editorial: slurry management critical to protect future farmers
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
MOST READ
Six marts sanctioned over calf welfare breaches
 
Six marts sanctioned over calf welfare breaches
Portumna Mart cancels this week’s sales
 
Portumna Mart cancels this week’s sales
Portumna Mart licence suspended by PSRA
 
Portumna Mart licence suspended by PSRA
In pictures: calf numbers holding steady in Bandon
 
In pictures: calf numbers holding steady in Bandon
Waterford family named Tirlán milk supplier of the year
 
Waterford family named Tirlán milk supplier of the year
Beef prices: processors peel another 10c/kg off quotes
 
Beef prices: processors peel another 10c/kg off quotes
Tirlán ordered to pay €5,000 to charity after polluting river
 
Tirlán ordered to pay €5,000 to charity after polluting river
Slovakian farmer faces prison over EU farm payment fraud
 
Slovakian farmer faces prison over EU farm payment fraud
Vintage tractor motoring in Monaghan
 
Vintage tractor motoring in Monaghan
Conflicted feelings: I complained about a local farmer spreading slurry
 
Conflicted feelings: I complained about a local farmer spreading slurry