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News
ACRES anger as 9,300 still owed money
Amy Forde
'Minister Heydon recognises the frustration and difficulty for farmers who remain to be paid', a spokesperson for the minister said.
ACRES anger as 9,300 still owed money
 
 
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.
Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme ‘falls short’ of needed support – ICSA
James Hanly
Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme ‘falls short’ of needed support – ICSA
The ICSA welcomed the scheme announced on Tuesday by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon as a 'step in the right direction' but said it does not 'go far enough in providing meaningful support'.
James Hanly
Up to 14.8% inflation on horticulture input prices
James Hanly
Court of Appeals refers Food Vision 2030 to European Court of Justice
Peter McCann
News round-up from Northern Ireland
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mind SPONSORED
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mind
Brendan and Ciarán Brady, Cootehill, Co Cavan, exemplify how two generations can work together to maximise both the efficiency and profitability of a family-run dairy farm.
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
NI Blonde sale record broken in Dungannon
Rachel Gallagher
NI Blonde sale record broken in Dungannon
Beef quotes hit €8/kg amid tight cattle supplies
Adam Woods
Beef quotes hit €8/kg amid tight cattle supplies
Grass+ Beef: growth still lackluster as covers deplete
Martin Merrick
Grass+ Beef: growth still lackluster as covers deplete
Debate on transport rules
The Dealer
Debate on transport rules
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Dairy Trends: markets holding their own
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Trends: markets holding their own
There was a slight drop for butter on the European market this week, but most other commodities are holding their own, writes Aidan Brennan.
Dairy Management: how much fertiliser to put on silage ground?
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Management: how much fertiliser to put on silage ground?
Aidan Brennan goes through the fertiliser rates for first cut silage and discusses how to manage grass as the first rotation comes to an end.
James Hanly
Dairy beef weighing scheme addresses ‘huge mistake’ by Government – IFA
e-Learning
Darren Carty
€20/calf dairy-beef weighing scheme returns
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
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
Sheep Management: SIS new entrants, tetany and creep feeding
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: SIS new entrants, tetany and creep feeding
Four lambs put down after dog attack in Kildare
Noel Bardon
Four lambs put down after dog attack in Kildare
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Worrying increase in calves with BVD
Darren Carty
Worrying increase in calves with BVD
The recent results of the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) National Eradication Programme paint a worrying picture with a significant jump in the number of BVD-positive calves identified.
Longford students launch product to assist with dosing cattle
James Hanly
Longford students launch product to assist with dosing cattle
Idea for product was developed after one of the girls noticed her father struggling to manage both a dosing gun and a bottle while treating cattle.
PEDIGREE
Simmental bull sets new breed record at Dungannon
Nevan McKiernan
Simmental bull sets new breed record at Dungannon
Nevan McKiernan reports on the show and sale of Simmental bulls and heifers at Dungannon Farmers Mart.
Red hot trade for Limousin bulls at Roscrea
Nevan McKiernan
Red hot trade for Limousin bulls at Roscrea
Nevan McKiernan reports on the Premier Limousin show and sale, which took place at Central Auctions, Roscrea, on Saturday.
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.
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mindSPONSORED
Technology for Profit: high standards with efficiency in mind
Brendan and Ciarán Brady, Cootehill, Co Cavan, exemplify how two generations can work together to maximise both the efficiency and profitability of a family-run dairy farm.
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.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
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.
Dairygold to reduce workforce as it targets €14m in cost cuts
Noel Bardon
Dairygold to reduce workforce as it targets €14m in cost cuts
The co-op's board has approved a cost-cutting plan drafted on foot of a 2024 efficiency and competitiveness review.
Fall forecast for Argentine beef exports in 2025
Phelim O'Neill
Fall forecast for Argentine beef exports in 2025
After a record performance last year, a drop in beef export volumes from Argentina is forecast for 2025 by USDA
TILLAGE
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
Spring planting continues
Greener animal feed labels on the way
Conor Kehoe
Applying organic manures to crops – before and after sowing
Grain Trends: steady markets as production estimated up SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
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.
Young Stock Podcast: 24-year-old contractor on setting up his own business
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Young Stock Podcast: 24-year-old contractor on setting up his own business
On this week’s Young Stock Podcast, Peter Thomas Keaveney speaks with Tipperary native Kelum Harrington, who left school at 15 and is now running his own sizeable agricultural contracting business.
Gary Abbott
Massey to prototype hydrogen powered tractor by 2026
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Amazone sales down 10.4% in 2024
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Yanmar launches new electrification unit for machinery
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
Large farm for sale in scenic Wicklow
Paul Mooney
Large farm for sale in scenic Wicklow
The holding comes with a traditional, two-storey farmhouse and a large farmyard.
Ready-to-go dairy farm in Cork
Paul Mooney
Ready-to-go dairy farm in Cork
This is an opportunity to purchase a modern dairy farm. The house can be sold separately or with the farm.
‘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
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.
Start date for the new suckler cow scheme
David Wright
Start date for the new suckler cow scheme
Letter to the NI Editor: Concerned suckler farmer, name and address with the editor
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
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
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
New scheme for weighing dairy beef calves announced
 
New scheme for weighing dairy beef calves announced
Flat beef quotes up 20 c/kg this week
 
Flat beef quotes up 20 c/kg this week
Watch: suckler outfits hit €7,750 in Carrigallen
 
Watch: suckler outfits hit €7,750 in Carrigallen
Camera at the mart: Farmers driving demand for beef calves in Cashel
 
Camera at the mart: Farmers driving demand for beef calves in Cashel
NI Blonde sale record broken in Dungannon
 
NI Blonde sale record broken in Dungannon
Dairy beef weighing scheme addresses ‘huge mistake’ by Government – IFA
 
Dairy beef weighing scheme addresses ‘huge mistake’ by Government – IFA
Court of Appeals refers Food Vision 2030 to European Court of Justice
 
Court of Appeals refers Food Vision 2030 to European Court of Justice
Grazing ban in Hungary to prevent spread of foot-and-mouth disease
 
Grazing ban in Hungary to prevent spread of foot-and-mouth disease