TOP STORIES
News
Radical TB plan floated by Department
Declan O’Brien
Major changes to the TB testing programme, the rules relating to animal movements and to disease compensation are included in the Department's plan.
Radical TB plan floated by Department
 
 
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.
New nitrates plan already facing delays
Noel Bardon
New nitrates plan already facing delays
The nitrates expert group has yet to deliver its advice to ministers on what the next nitrates action plan should look like.
Declan O’Brien
Red-hot prices for dairy stock in marts
James Hanly
West Clare farmer rewets peatland with county council
James Hanly
IFA to host major CAP conference next month
New for 2025: Syngenta enters grassland market with CASPER ® SPONSORED
New for 2025: Syngenta enters grassland market with CASPER ®
Syngenta Ireland recently launched CASPER®, a new broadleaved weed herbicide for newly sown and established grassland.
MART REPORTS
Martbids Database: grass buyers drive the mart trade
Adam Woods
Martbids Database: grass buyers drive the mart trade
Adam Woods has the latest on this week’s mart trade, including what’s happening in the country’s marts.
Camera at the Mart: 'these prices are the new norm' - manager
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: 'these prices are the new norm' - manager
Castleisland Mart rounded out a busier than usual March and one which saw average calf prices reach levels not seen before. Mart manager Neilus McAuliffe believes this is the new normal.
Camera at the Mart: over €3/kg going rate for cull cows in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the Mart: over €3/kg going rate for cull cows in Bandon
Demand for beef has seen the price of dry dairy cows hit heights not seen before lately. This and rising weekly prices have been the story of the trade in Bandon Mart this spring.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
Overhaul of TB measures proposed
Caitríona Morrissey
Overhaul of TB measures proposed
Grass+ Beef: reseeding and spreading silage ground on the mind
Martin Merrick
Grass+ Beef: reseeding and spreading silage ground on the mind
Beef prices up €100/head in seven days
Adam Woods
Beef prices up €100/head in seven days
Calf prices rise in marts
Tommy Moyles
Calf prices rise in marts
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
'Brave steps' needed on TB - Lakeland Dairies meets Minister Heydon
James Hanly
'Brave steps' needed on TB - Lakeland Dairies meets Minister Heydon
Lakeland Dairies’ chair Niall Matthews sat down with Minister Heydon and spoke about the issues that affect its farm families.
New nitrates plan already facing delays
Noel Bardon
New nitrates plan already facing delays
The nitrates expert group has yet to deliver its advice to ministers on what the next nitrates action plan should look like.
Declan O’Brien
Red-hot prices for dairy stock in marts
e-Learning
Martin Merrick
Grass+ Dairy: farms hit cruise control as good weather persists
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: hoggets up 20c/kg, ewes 40c/kg
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: hoggets up 20c/kg, ewes 40c/kg
Spring lambs selling upwards of €9.60/kg
Darren Carty
Spring lambs selling upwards of €9.60/kg
Sheep mart prices: keener demand as supplies tighten
Darren Carty
Sheep mart prices: keener demand as supplies tighten
Sheep management: fertiliser allowances, drafting spring lambs and NSWS
Darren Carty
Sheep management: fertiliser allowances, drafting spring lambs and NSWS
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Overhaul of TB measures proposed
Caitríona Morrissey
Overhaul of TB measures proposed
The Department of Agriculture has proposed a suite of measures aimed at reducing TB. WE analyse the implications for farmers on the ground if these proposals were adopted.
BVD testing support increased to €3.50/calf
James Hanly
BVD testing support increased to €3.50/calf
After Ireland reduced the incidence of BVD in 2024, Minister Heydon said that his Department is aiming to eradicate the disease.
PEDIGREE
Thirteenth Emerald Expo dairy show launched
Adam Woods
Thirteenth Emerald Expo dairy show launched
Adam Woods has the details of the 13th Emerald Expo taking place on Saturday 26 April.
Carrick braced for massive sale of pedigree cattle
Nevan McKiernan
Carrick braced for massive sale of pedigree cattle
Nevan McKiernan looks ahead at a number of pedigree cattle sales taking place over the weekend.
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.
New for 2025: Syngenta enters grassland market with CASPER ® SPONSORED
New for 2025: Syngenta enters grassland market with CASPER ®
Syngenta Ireland recently launched CASPER®, a new broadleaved weed herbicide for newly sown and established grassland.
Technology For Profit: a focus on Genetics in GalwaySPONSORED
Technology For Profit: a focus on Genetics in Galway
Conor O’Brien, along with his parents Mary and Vincent, milks 144 high-EBI Holstein cows in Loughrea, Co Galway.
Farmer's trust in the quality and reliability of Flourish Calf SPONSORED
Farmer's trust in the quality and reliability of Flourish Calf
Trust in both protein quality and the brand are the primary criteria in selecting calf milk replacer in the case of a generational dairy farmer based near the northeast shore of Lough Neagh.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
Competitiveness of Kerrygold will be affected by US tariffs – IFA
Amy Forde
Competitiveness of Kerrygold will be affected by US tariffs – IFA
The US market is an important outlet and accounts for around 11% of our total food and drink exports, the IFA said.
Trump announces 20% tariff on imports from the EU
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Trump announces 20% tariff on imports from the EU
The United Kingdom will be subject to a lower 10% tariff rate, half that of its European neighbours.
Countries increasingly working around Trump’s US
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Countries increasingly working around Trump’s US
Trade pressure from the US is increasing cooperation between other countries.
What to expect from Trump's big tariff announcement
Lorcan Roche Kelly
What to expect from Trump's big tariff announcement
US president Trump had dubbed the announcement of tariffs as “liberation day” for the US.
TILLAGE
Grain Trends: drop in markets as tariffs await
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: drop in markets as tariffs await
Tillage management: nitrogen, winter cereals and break crops
Siobhán Walsh
Tillage management: nitrogen, winter cereals and break crops
Potato planting surges ahead of maize and beet
Pat O'Toole
Potato planting surges ahead of maize and beet
Yellow rust is visible in many crops
Siobhán Walsh
From the Tramlines: wonderful weather takes some pressure off
Grain Trends: drop in markets as tariffs await SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Grammer to give old tractor seats a new lease of life
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Grammer to give old tractor seats a new lease of life
Grammer has launched a new spare parts service and extensive range of genuine spare parts, making it possible to rectify initial signs of wear on machine seats.
Diesel prices are steady, but world oil markets are nervous
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Diesel prices are steady, but world oil markets are nervous
With oil prices remaining cautiously stable, the market appears to be tense in the wake of potential tariffs from world leaders. Peter Thomas Keaveney and Gary Abbott report
Gary Abbott
New 6M draws a crowd at Deere Dealer days
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Are silage compactors the next big thing in making quality forage?
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Kilkenny contractor gaining 30% capacity with Kompactor
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
Seven lots for seven buyers at Four Mile House farm
Paul Mooney
Seven lots for seven buyers at Four Mile House farm
Many pockets are catered for as guide prices for this farm range from €5,900/ac to €12,000/ac.
Good interest in Ballina land holding
Paul Mooney
Good interest in Ballina land holding
The 33.5ac is on a local road just outside the thriving town of Ballina.
Quality land in Clonaslee for auction
Paul Mooney
Quality land in Clonaslee for auction
The ground will attract plenty of interest as it’s good quality and in a good location.
BUILDINGS
Ensuring sufficient water supplies this grazing season
Martin Merrick
Ensuring sufficient water supplies this grazing season
Several factors feed in to the sizing of water troughs and a clean, fresh water supply is essential for all stock types.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
West Clare farmer rewets peatland with county council
James Hanly
West Clare farmer rewets peatland with county council
In the project, a blanket bog - home to two rare and protected birds, the merlin and hen harrier - is being rewetted to provide a wildlife sanctuary for rare habitats and species of concern.
Farm emissions estimates cut by 7%
Noel Bardon
Farm emissions estimates cut by 7%
Emissions had been previously overstated due their not being sufficient research to generate emissions estimates that accurately reflected Irish farming.
RENEWABLES
Minister vows to engage with farmers on renewables
Stephen Robb
Minister vows to engage with farmers on renewables
Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O'Brien said he will be meeting with stakeholders, including the IFA, to explore the opportunities for farmers in renewables.
Semi-state eyes up the Kildare gas site
The Dealer
Semi-state eyes up the Kildare gas site
I hear that country’s semi-state gas utility is among a pool of developers eyeing up the country’s only green gas injection point in Cush, Kildare.
FORESTRY
No EU requirement for forestry replanting
Declan O’Brien
No EU requirement for forestry replanting
The present requirement to replant after clear felling is a major obstacle to afforestation in Ireland, claimed consultants.
Outside help needed to remove timber
Donal Magner
Outside help needed to remove timber
Overseas contractors will be required to harvest windblown timber, while EU aid is needed for private forest owners – mainly farmers – whose forests are decimated.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Harmony holds high note in PLI rankings
Peter McCann
Harmony holds high note in PLI rankings
The top four young Holstein sires in UK are all sired by Denovo 2776 Leeds.
Northern View: no let-up in buoyant beef trade
David Wright
Northern View: no let-up in buoyant beef trade
Base quotes for prime U-3 grading cattle are up again this week at NI factories.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Editorial: ‘shout out to the parents who don’t get it right all the time'
I want to be the mother who follows the advice from the likes of Lucy Wolfe and all those other sleep experts but hey, life happens.
Editorial: ‘shout out to the parents who don’t get it right all the time'
Comment
‘Sometimes a story can transcend and embrace our humanity in a special way’
Careers
Industry views on the future of dairy employment
Property
Auction results: choice land parcels exceed expectations
Property
Good interest in Ballina land holding
Quality land in Clonaslee for auction
Paul Mooney
Quality land in Clonaslee for auction
The ground will attract plenty of interest as it’s good quality and in a good location.
Small holding with views over Lough Corrib
Paul Mooney
Small holding with views over Lough Corrib
The land is in permanent pasture and has been maintined in good condition.
Tillage and grass farm near M8 motorway
Paul Mooney
Tillage and grass farm near M8 motorway
The c42.5ac holding will be offered at auction this month in a number of lots.
Seven lots for seven buyers at Four Mile House farm
Paul Mooney
Seven lots for seven buyers at Four Mile House farm
Many pockets are catered for as guide prices for this farm range from €5,900/ac to €12,000/ac.
PHOTOGRAPHY
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
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
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: easy answer to Trump tariffs - make farming great again
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
A visit to China’s largest mart
Contributor
Contributor
Editorial: TB stalemate
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Home Farm: spring tillage work continues
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
MOST READ
Dairy farmers advised to convert to sucklers
 
Dairy farmers advised to convert to sucklers
Camera at the Mart: no easing in beef calf prices despite increase in supply
 
Camera at the Mart: no easing in beef calf prices despite increase in supply
Plans unveiled for Ireland’s biggest biogas plant in Carlow
 
Plans unveiled for Ireland’s biggest biogas plant in Carlow
Trump announces 20% tariff on imports from the EU
 
Trump announces 20% tariff on imports from the EU
BVD testing support increased to €3.50/calf
 
BVD testing support increased to €3.50/calf
Two farmers disqualified from owning animals in 2024
 
Two farmers disqualified from owning animals in 2024
Beef prices: quotes jump 20c/kg on back of huge demand
 
Beef prices: quotes jump 20c/kg on back of huge demand
Radical TB plan floated by Department
 
Radical TB plan floated by Department
€60,000 grants available under TUS soil project
 
€60,000 grants available under TUS soil project
Tullamore Farm video: lambing progressing after tricky lead-in
 
Tullamore Farm video: lambing progressing after tricky lead-in