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Thousands of farmers to receive shares windfall
SOME 12,500 farmers who hold shares in Kerry Co-op are in line for a windfall of shares worth on average more than €21,000 this summer.
Selling farm land is usually the last resort – but it can fund an empire
Irish farms change hands about once every 550 years. It's a function of the old farmer adage that selling land is a last resort, on the basis that "they're not making any more of it".
Total reappraisal needed in dairying
This spring breeding season is proving to provide us with many challenges. One farmer in Dingle, Co Kerry, summed it up by outlining his predicament.
Weather impacts lamb feed
The recent reports that April was one of the coldest on record and had above average rainfall will not come as a surprise to many.
Getting busy in the fields as crop growth kicks-in for real
Better late than never, eventually the crops got going. The milder weather has given a much needed boost to the crops.
Pre-calver minerals are small price to pay for healthy calves
Like most farmers, we are finally getting suckler cows and cattle out to grass after seven months of feeding, although some of our bulls were housed as far back as July 13.
Surge in area of forage crops as farmers look to next winter
A huge lift in the sowing of forage crops is being reported as farmers seek to pre-empt another fodder crisis next winter.
US gain production advantage with hormone use
Remember the Angel Dust, the greatest ever concoction to boost growth rates in cattle?
Eoin's already reaping benefits of changing outdated drain system
Eoin Toohey, from Moneygall, Co Offaly, bought just over 20 ac in 2008, that had previously been rented out for over 20 years. The land had received little or no investment in that time, and the remnants of a drainage system were over 30 years old.
Putting the right wheels in motion when buying a second-hand tractor
I've had a couple of calls in the past few weeks from farmers enquiring about second-hand tractors. The following are common questions:
Steer and bull prices on rise but factories won't budge on heifers
Two out of three ain't bad, according to Meatloaf's song. The Galway U21 footballers, with their second crown in the past three years, and beef finishers who see steer and bull prices edge up in the right direction will certainly agree.
Opportunities shine in 'land of the long white cloud'
I have been in the fortunate position to have visited New Zealand on four occasions over the past eight years. I have enjoyed each visit, though for different reasons, and it is definitely a country where I would like to spend more time.
Forestry growers in need of a champion to challenge confusing stop-start initiatives
It is now almost two decades since I first decided to plant some of my land.
Page-turner puts collapse of Celtic Tiger into context
While sitting in my doctor's waiting room recently, I began browsing through the literature that one always finds in such places. Doctors, dentists, barbers and hairdressers provide an extraordinary range of mostly unreadable magazines.
Maiden heifers below targets as fodder crisis hits dairy stock
Maiden heifers from the dairy herd are some of the worst affected stock in the current fodder crisis, according to Munster AI's Doreen Corridan.
Nenagh connection sparks €2m annual bonus
Milk producers supplying Arrabawn Co-op could be in line for a windfall of up to €2m per annum following the announcement that Nenagh, where the co-op processing plant is located, is to be linked to the natural gas grid.
Pilot plans to control Johnes gets green light
A pilot scheme for eradicating Johnes disease from the national cattle herd was signed off last Friday by Animal Health Ireland's (AHI) implementation group.
Horse traceability tightening with new passport proposal
A central equine database for horses is to be included on the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system, the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, has announced.
Fat scores of finished beef cattle plummet
The scarcity of quality feed has cost farmers €1.5m in cattle returns so far in 2013.
Putting the right wheels in motion when buying a second-hand tractor
I've had a couple of calls in the past few weeks from farmers enquiring about second-hand tractors. The following are common questions:
Brisk trade continues for all finished stock while quality is key for stores
Finished animals, whether they are prime cattle or cull cows, continued to sell well at the marts over the past week. Cows were making as high as €2.30/kg. Quality fleshed continental steers and heifers were generally making from €2.20 to €2.60/kg. Plainer types made €1.85-2.10/kg.
Fodder shortage eases but it's going to hit us all in the pocket
The first phase of the fodder crisis is beginning to end.
Entitlement demand outweighs supply as May deadline looms
Single Farm Payment entitlements trading has stepped up a gear in recent days as the closing date of May 15 looms.
Closing date for SPS imminent
The closing date for completed Single Payment Scheme (SPS) applications is just one week away.
Using shallow drainage systems can assist with soil infiltration problems
A shallow drainage system is used where soils are heavy and infiltration is impeded at all depths.
If you can't afford new drains, ensure old ones work
If there are limited funds available for drainage works, the next question to ask is whether there has been adequate maintenance of the drains that were previously installed on the farm.
Test pits can help determine water seepage
If there is money to do new drainage work, the next step in the process is to determine what drainage system is required on the farm.
Students' tail lifter scoops national award
Lifting a cow's tail to stop her kicking during milking is not the most glamorous of farming tasks but it is has won a group of Co Limerick school pupils national recognition.
Kerry group is slammed for holding prices
The ICMSA has slammed the decision by Kerry Group not to raise its milk price for April.
Grazing land hits €200/ac
A shortage of land for letting and the scramble for fodder is driving the cost of grazing ground through the roof.
Nitrates review 'must restore flexibility'
The IFA has called for the current review of the nitrates regulations to be used to restore flexibility to farmers, which should be based on soil and weather conditions, rather than calendar dates.
Don't Miss
Irish News
Teen had 'no choice' but to store €32,000 worth of heroin
A DUBLIN youth, who was forced to store €32,000 worth of heroin in his home after he built up a massive drug debt, could be spared a sentence, a judge has said.
Revenue office shuts due to protest
Revenue officials were forced to close its busiest public office when protesters picketed against the controversial household charge.
Revenue offices closes after household charge picket
REVENUE officials were forced to close its busiest public office when protesters picketed against the controversial household charge.
Scheme hopes to deal with conflict
Aggression and violence are the consequences of not dealing with conflict in communities, a former prisoner governor has claimed.
Watchdog slams gardai over ‘unacceptable’ and ‘intolerable’ delays
STATE investigators charged with probing alleged Garda wrongdoing have accused the force of not co-operating with them.
Man charged with assault on homeless man who was later found dead
A YOUNG man has been charged with assaulting a homeless man whose battered body was discovered in a rubbish disposal chute.
TD challenges Shatter 'behaviour'
An Independent TD has challenged Justice Minister Alan Shatter over his behaviour and attitude at a Garda checkpoint days before his appointment to the Cabinet.
Watchdog slams Garda co-operation
The state investigative body set up to probe allegations of Garda wrongdoing has branded the force's co-operation unacceptable.
Hogan to raise issue of beach which lost Blue Flag due to "statistical glitch”
Environment Minister Phil Hogan has promised to lobby the European Commission about the fact that a famous beach lost its Blue Flag due to a "statistical glitch".
Watchdog slams Garda co-operation
State investigators charged with probing alleged Garda wrongdoing have accused the force of not co-operating with them.
