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Farm Tech Talk: booming beef prices, rewetting and milk solids
Jack Kennedy
The positivity in the beef trade, an update on ACRES, milk soilds and spring AI all feature on this week's Farm Tech Talk.
Farm Tech Talk: booming beef prices, rewetting and milk solids
 
 
ACRES rare breeds – registered offspring must be produced by end of year three
News
ACRES rare breeds – registered offspring must be produced by end of year three
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
Sheep
Connemara Mayo Blackface Breeders Group spring sale tops at €320
KNOWLEDGE HUB
MOST POPULAR
TOPICS THIS WEEK
Dairy
Kerry cuts milk price for February supplies
News
Sheep farmers taking €32/head hit as processors profit - ICSA
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Agricultural prices up 20% for January 2025
Rachel Donovan
Agricultural prices up 20% for January 2025
Output prices were up by over 20%, while input prices dropped by 3.7% in the 12-month period between January 2024 and January 2025.
40 calves die in Donegal farm fire
Rachel Donovan
40 calves die in Donegal farm fire
The incident occurred at a farm in the Lettergull area of the county on Thursday night.
Rachel Donovan
16 sheep killed in Kerry dog attack
Rachel Donovan
'Shambolic' roll-out of ACRES will impact uptake of future schemes - INHFA
Rachel Donovan
Grant aid available for registered animal welfare charities
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
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.
Sheep mart prices: cull ewes overshadowing hogget trade
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: cull ewes overshadowing hogget trade
Tight supplies of cull ewes combined with keen demand has pushed the cull ewe trade into the spotlight, with hoggets continuing to meet a sluggish trade.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Value of Brazil's beef exports continue upward trend
Phelim O'Neill
Value of Brazil's beef exports continue upward trend
Letterkenny Show Society bull sale tops at €5,100
Rachel Gallagher
Letterkenny Show Society bull sale tops at €5,100
Two farmers claim Troy Meats owes them for cattle killed months ago
Noel Bardon
Two farmers claim Troy Meats owes them for cattle killed months ago
Grass+ Beef: good ground conditions, but poor growth
Martin Merrick
Grass+ Beef: good ground conditions, but poor growth
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Kerry cuts milk price for February supplies
Rachel Donovan
Kerry cuts milk price for February supplies
Demand for butter and cheese remains strong, while demand for powders is weaker, a Kerry Dairy Ireland spokesperson said.
Carbery extends sustainability bonus scheme
Rachel Donovan
Carbery extends sustainability bonus scheme
Over €12.2m has been paid since 2022 to Carbery shareholders for implementing sustainability measures.
Noel Bardon
ICMSA urges AI companies to 'press pause' on IP plans for 2025
e-Learning
Rachel Donovan
Lakeland Dairies cuts its February milk base price
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
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
Sheep mart prices: cull ewes overshadowing hogget trade
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: cull ewes overshadowing hogget trade
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
Malting price offer made by Boortmalt
Siobhán Walsh
Malting price offer made by Boortmalt
Tillage Podcast: fine weather, new products and malt
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage Podcast: fine weather, new products and malt
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on EU whiskey and alcohol
Noel Bardon
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on EU whiskey and alcohol
Growers question sustainability of malting varieties
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: markets steady or down
Malting price offer made by Boortmalt 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
Comment
Dear Miriam: how do I convince my partner to move back to the countryside?
This week, a reader seeks Miriam's help on finding compromise between her heart for the countryside and her partner's preference for the city.
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’
Careers
Angus programme encourages innovation
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.
Elegant house near the Curragh plains
Paul Mooney
Elegant house near the Curragh plains
The land is laid out in three fields, in grass, with good shelter from hedges and trees.
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
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Six farmers named on tax defaulters' list
 
Six farmers named on tax defaulters' list
Camera at the Mart: super demand for beef calves in Kilmallock
 
Camera at the Mart: super demand for beef calves in Kilmallock
Two farmers claim Troy Meats owes them for cattle killed months ago
 
Two farmers claim Troy Meats owes them for cattle killed months ago
Friesian bull calf prices quadruple on 2024
 
Friesian bull calf prices quadruple on 2024
State pays €2,020/ac for over 600ac of Galway land
 
State pays €2,020/ac for over 600ac of Galway land
Calf price update: prices up in spite of surge in supply
 
Calf price update: prices up in spite of surge in supply
Payment penalties for farm safety breaches
 
Payment penalties for farm safety breaches
40 calves die in Donegal farm fire
 
40 calves die in Donegal farm fire
2022 McHale Fusion tops contractor retirement sales at €60,000
 
2022 McHale Fusion tops contractor retirement sales at €60,000
Beef quotes edge closer to €8/kg
 
Beef quotes edge closer to €8/kg