TOP STORIES
News
New scheme launched to support setting up producer organisations
James Hanly
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon announced the Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisations (ESSPO) scheme on Wednesday 16 April, which is a multi-annual measure under the CAP Strategic Plan.
New scheme launched to support setting up producer organisations
 
 
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Latest chapter in turbulent decade for trade
Phelim O'Neill
Latest chapter in turbulent decade for trade
The knock-on effect of Trump tariffs will be a push by the EU to further diversify trade - and that means trade deals.
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
James Hanly
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
UK insurance composite NFU Mutual has urged pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead this Easter, as it expects thousands of people to plan a spring day out with their dogs in the countryside.
James Hanly
€30m research call launched for innovation in agri food and bio-based economy
James Hanly
High Court judge awards injunction to stop sale of Cork farmland
Stephen Robb
New biomethane plant planned for Arklow
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
Spring lambs top at €5.57/kg as cull ewes hit €4.22/kg in Milford
Rachel Gallagher
Spring lambs top at €5.57/kg as cull ewes hit €4.22/kg in Milford
Rachel Gallagher reports from Milford Livestock Mart for the fortnightly sheep sale.
Watch: cull cows hit €4.52/kg in Kilkenny
Adam Woods
Watch: cull cows hit €4.52/kg in Kilkenny
Adam Woods reports from Tuesday’s cull cow and calf sale in Kilkenny Mart.
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
Darren Carty
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
The trade for cull ewes remained buoyant in Monday’s sale and, with top prices exceeding €3/kg, overshadowed prices paid for both lambs and hoggets.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Watch: cull cows hit €4.52/kg in Kilkenny
Adam Woods
Watch: cull cows hit €4.52/kg in Kilkenny
Action plan on way for reducing age at slaughter
Noel Bardon
Action plan on way for reducing age at slaughter
Beef grid return an ‘attempt to manipulate prices’ by processors – ICSA
James Hanly
Beef grid return an ‘attempt to manipulate prices’ by processors – ICSA
Beef prices: factories try to apply pressure to trade
Adam Woods
Beef prices: factories try to apply pressure to trade
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Group of dairy farmers to sponsor Waterford LGFA
James Hanly
Group of dairy farmers to sponsor Waterford LGFA
The Waterford Dairy Farmers is a group made up of around 500 Tirlán members that formed a committee to organise the sponsorship.
Kerry milk price falls for March supplies
James Hanly
Kerry milk price falls for March supplies
This price is including quality and sustainability bonuses and marks the second successive fall in the milk price at the co-op, down 0.99c/l compared with February.
James Hanly
Avonmore to sponsor Ireland U18 girls' hockey team
e-Learning
James Hanly
Dairygold sets milk price for March
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
Spring lambs top at €5.57/kg as cull ewes hit €4.22/kg in Milford
Rachel Gallagher
Spring lambs top at €5.57/kg as cull ewes hit €4.22/kg in Milford
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
James Hanly
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
Young sheep farmer forum launched to tackle sector challenges
James Hanly
Young sheep farmer forum launched to tackle sector challenges
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
Darren Carty
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
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
NI Dutch Spotted spring sale tops at 2,300gns
Rachel Gallagher
NI Dutch Spotted spring sale tops at 2,300gns
Rachel Gallagher reports from Swatragh Livestock Market for the annual Dutch Spotted Sheep Society spring sale.
Mixed Carrick trade sees top call of €7,500 for Charolais bull
Nevan McKiernan
Mixed Carrick trade sees top call of €7,500 for Charolais bull
Nevan McKiernan reports on the show and sale of continental cattle at the showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon 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.
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
Ornua reports increased profit on flat turnover in 2024
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Ornua reports increased profit on flat turnover in 2024
Processor provided value payment of €72.8m to member co-ops during the year.
Latest chapter in turbulent decade for trade
Phelim O'Neill
Latest chapter in turbulent decade for trade
The knock-on effect of Trump tariffs will be a push by the EU to further diversify trade - and that means trade deals.
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.
TILLAGE
Strong demand for organic oats a ‘real success story’ – Heydon
James Hanly
Strong demand for organic oats a ‘real success story’ – Heydon
Glyphosate resistance – your questions answered
Siobhán Walsh
Glyphosate resistance – your questions answered
Italian ryegrass in Ireland found to be glyphosate-resistant
Siobhán Walsh
Italian ryegrass in Ireland found to be glyphosate-resistant
Tillage Podcast: looking for big yields in super weather
James Hanly
Progress made to ‘protect’ Irish dairy and whiskey from tariffs - Harris
Strong demand for organic oats a ‘real success story’ – Heydon SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Young Stock Podcast: carving out a career in the machinery sector
Gary Abbott
Young Stock Podcast: carving out a career in the machinery sector
Gary Abbott talks to Tipperary man Peter Folan, who is prospering a bright career from a childhood passion for ag machinery. He discusses his studies and experiences as well as past and current roles.
Claas introduces 'night edition' Scorpion telehandlers
Gary Abbott
Claas introduces 'night edition' Scorpion telehandlers
Following on from the introduction of its limited 'night edition' Arion and Axion tractor models, Claas has now launched one for four of its Scorpion telehandler models.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
JCB appoints fifth and final Irish agriculture dealer
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
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
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.
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.
Sunny living in the southeast for €1.7m
Paul Mooney
Sunny living in the southeast for €1.7m
A spacious modern farmhouse sitting on 86ac near the Waterford coast has lots of appeal, writes Paul Mooney.
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
INHFA calls for investigation into EU funding of NGOs
James Hanly
INHFA calls for investigation into EU funding of NGOs
This comes after a statement from the European Commission that acknowledged how funding for the EU LIFE programme may have funded “undue lobbying activities” by environmental NGOs.
Action plan on way for reducing age at slaughter
Noel Bardon
Action plan on way for reducing age at slaughter
The Climate Action Plan targets an average slaughter age of 24 to 25 months for prime cattle by 2025.
RENEWABLES
New biomethane plant planned for Arklow
Stephen Robb
New biomethane plant planned for Arklow
The company, which is partnering with local dairy farmer Seoirse McGrath, is seeking permission to build a 90,000t AD plant, which will produce biomethane gas.
Ireland’s newest electricity interconnector opens
Stephen Robb
Ireland’s newest electricity interconnector opens
The Greenlink Interconnector aims to improve energy security in both Ireland and the UK, increase market competition and provide additional export capacity.
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
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
James Hanly
£1.8m worth of animals killed in UK dog attacks in 2024
UK insurance composite NFU Mutual has urged pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead this Easter, as it expects thousands of people to plan a spring day out with their dogs in the countryside.
Northern Ireland TB eradication blueprint published
James Hanly
Northern Ireland TB eradication blueprint published
Consisting of a broad range of industry, veterinary and wildlife stakeholders, the TB Partnership Steering Group (TBPSG) was established in January 2025.
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, 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: 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
Teenager dies after Leitrim tractor collision
 
Teenager dies after Leitrim tractor collision
Camera at the Mart: over 1,000 Angus-cross calves in Bandon
 
Camera at the Mart: over 1,000 Angus-cross calves in Bandon
Watch: cull cows hit €4.52/kg in Kilkenny
 
Watch: cull cows hit €4.52/kg in Kilkenny
Action plan on way for reducing age at slaughter
 
Action plan on way for reducing age at slaughter
Mixed Carrick trade sees top call of €7,500 for Charolais bull
 
Mixed Carrick trade sees top call of €7,500 for Charolais bull
Kerry milk price falls for March supplies
 
Kerry milk price falls for March supplies
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
 
In pictures: cull ewes top €3/kg in Athenry Mart
Italian ryegrass in Ireland found to be glyphosate-resistant
 
Italian ryegrass in Ireland found to be glyphosate-resistant
Young Stock Podcast: carving out a career in the machinery sector
 
Young Stock Podcast: carving out a career in the machinery sector
High Court judge awards injunction to stop sale of Cork farmland
 
High Court judge awards injunction to stop sale of Cork farmland