A visit to Kilkenny mart

\ Philip Doyle

Peter Neary looks down on a pen of cattle during the mixed cattle sale at at Kilkenny Mart. \Philip Doyle

This week's cover stars

Joe Healy, with the help of his son Cian and daughter Roisin, feed the new calves. \Claire Nash

Cian and Roisin Healy with their twin calves, Borris and Carrie, on their farm in Athboy, Co Meath. \ Claire Nash

Farming in Leap

Katie Shanahan with her herd of Continental cattle on her farm in Leap Co Cork. \ Andy Gibson.

Katie Shanahan and sheepdog Rock tend to pedigree Turret Charollais sheep on Katie's farm in Leap, Co Cork. \ Andy Gibson.

Katie Shanahan tends to her pedigree Turret Charollais sheep on her farm in Leap Co Cork. \ Andy Gibson.

Katie Shanahan pictured with a recently born pedigree Turret Charollais lamb on her farm in Leap, Co Cork. \ Andy Gibson.

IFA protest

IFA pig farmers protest in Tallaght, Co Dublin. \ Claire Nash

Slurry in Wells, Co Carlow

Nigel Whithford of Bridge Agri spreads slurry on the dairy farm of Peter Brophy in Wells, Co Carlow, using an umbilical system. Many farmers took the opportunity to empty tanks this week, as restrictions were lifted and conditions were good. \ Philip Doyle

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Watch: this week in photos - treating dry cows, lambs and checking on sheep

This week in photos: sheep, ploughing and a tractor run

In pictures: Magnum fodder beet being pulled for winter feed