Climate targets won't hold back farm growth like quotas - Creed 

Large rise in judgments being sought by vulture funds over farmers' debts 

There has been a large rise in the number of judgments being sought by vulture funds on farm-related debt, an agrifinance specialist has warned.

Farming faces 'challenging' goals with 30 action points 

The agriculture sector faces challenging targets under the Government's Climate Action Plan, with more than 30 action points to help reduce emissions by 10-15pc from the sector.

Vulture funds upping the ante on farm debts 

There has been a large rise in the number of judgements being sought by vulture funds on farm-related debt an agri finance specialist has warned.

Labour shortages now the biggest threat to farming's growth targets 

Why are farmers finding it difficult to get people to work on farms?

The 'invincible' virus -African swine fever is ravaging China's pig sector and eliminating it could take decades 

The deadly pig virus that jumped from Africa to Europe is now ravaging China's €113bn pork industry and spreading to other Asian countries; an unprecedented disaster that has prompted Beijing to slaughter millions of pigs. But stopping African swine fever isn't so easy.

North-south divide has opened up on farmland sales 

A GROWING north-south divide is the story from the auction rooms during the first five months of 2019. Sales in Munster and south Leinster continue to be buoyant, while auction sales have all but collapsed north of a line between Dublin and Galway.

Reducing the age cattle are finished among proposals in Government's Climate Action plan 

Almost every aspect of our daily lives will be affected by a new climate strategy which will be unveiled today.

Large rise in meat and dairy manufacturing drives New Zealand's economy 

The largest rise for five years in volumes of meat and dairy products drove manufacturing up for the second quarter in a row, according to new figures from New Zealand.

Sheep farmers can only be pushed so far on prices 

We have most of our March-born lambs dosed for the second time. We use a ivermectin type product and this should see them stay clean until after weaning.

Excluding dairy farmers from 'disadvantage' scheme because of stocking rates branded 'unfair' 

Excluding dairy farmers from the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme due to their high stoking rate has been branded as unfair by Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill.

'Our coast is being destroyed by the force of the Atlantic Ocean' 

'It would've been silly to cut silage last week or even consider spreading slurry with the downpours we got, with or without Trump's visit."

Why these US farmers give up on planting crops and throw a party instead 

Dozens of corn farmers and those who sell them seed, chemicals and equipment gathered last Thursday at the restaurant in Deer Grove, Illinois, after heavy rains caused unprecedented delays in planting this year and contributed to record floods across the central US.

Storied 286ac Limerick stud farm back on the market for €5.5m 

Now that President Trump has been and gone, he has trodden a path that's almost a rite of passage for American leaders - a visit to the Emerald Isle.

Farmers being misled €50m beef fund must see production drop - McConalogue 

Farmers misled by government that fund contingent on reducing production, according to Fianna Fail spokesperson on agriculture Charlie McConalogue.

Investigation underway after 100 sheep stolen in Meath 

Kells gardai are investigating the theft of more than 100 sheep from land at Ross, Mountnugent, Oldcastle.

Package needed to help farmers retire – Teagasc 

A senior official in Teagasc has said the next CAP could and should look at packages to assist older farmers who want to exit the sector.

Beyond Meat's home in the meat aisle sparks US food fight 

In a bid to directly compete with ground beef and pork sausage, Beyond Meat Inc bills itself the world's first plant-based burger sold in the meat case of U.S. grocery stores.

'No more sitka Please!' - Farmer blocks road over Coillte's tree planting policy 

Members of a Leitrim community have taken matters into their own hands, taking a stand against Coillte, who they feel have no consideration for their local area.

Ann Fitzgerald: Farmers are so busy feeding the world, we no longer feed ourselves 

One evening last week, I was sitting back savouring a tasty meal comprising several home-grown ingredients when a sudden realisation nearly triggered indigestion.

Prime Offaly arable land guided at €10,000 per acre 

A 55ac farm at Ballykean, Geashill in Co Offaly made up of excellent arable land and a derelict cottage is coming to public auction with a guide price of €10,000/ac.

Glory days as O'Keeffes pull off Cillin Hill clean sweep 

Showing champions in two breeds on the same day, and landing an overall Inter Breed Supreme Championship double, is something dreams are made of.

Aurivo announces May milk price and warns of weak butter markets 

The Board of Aurivo has announced it is holding its milk price at 30.5c/L including vat for the month of May.

Longford farmer mulls over whether to buy a bull or tractor after €238,000 Lotto win 

A Longford farmer who claimed a cheque for a cool €238,673 that he won on last weekend’s Lotto draw was mulling over what he was going to buy with his newfound Lotto windfall.

Claim milk price 'shortfall' worth €2k to average milk supplier 

The shortfall between the Ornua PPI price-per-litre and the average price actually being paid by Irish Co-ops will cost the average milk supplier “around €2,000” over the peak production period, according to the ICMSA.

Weekend weather: Temperatures to reach up to 16C but rain to stay 

For once, Ireland is not getting the worst of the weather - although things still look bad for the coming week.

John Joyce: Why we introduced Simmental bloodlines into our herd 

The latest addition to our breeding policy has been the purchase of a Simmental bull in the spring. While we use some AI and a Limousin bull, I have a number of reasons for introducing some Simmental bloodlines into our herd.

Make combine hygiene a priority ahead of the harvest 

Any issues with moisture stress were solved with last week's rainfall. Winter barley, which is filling rapidly, escaped lodging but further rainfall this week will test varietal straw strength and growth regulator programmes.

Bayer to invest €5bn in new weed killers 

Bayer said it would invest €5 billion in developing new weedkillers and reducing its environmental impact by 30pc by 2030, as it seeks to address the fallout from U.S. class-action litigation over glyphosate.

Darragh McCullough: 'Technology will transform farming efficiency - but I fear the big boys will benefit most' 

My main farm enterprise is cut flowers, so instead of ringing my local Teagasc advisor when I've got a question, I get on a plane to Holland.

Back on the market: 123ac in south Tipp 

Tipperary hurling tails are up and rumour has it that All-Ireland tickets are already being promised and traded, such is the confidence in the Premier destiny of 2019.

Trade deal with Mercosur is No. 1 priority: EU trade chief 

Sealing a free trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur after 20 years of talks is the European Union’s top priority, EU trade chief Cecilia Malmstrom said on Thursday.

EU agrees deal to boost US beef imports 

The European Union has agreed a deal to allow US farmers a larger share of Europe's beef market.

Elderly farmer airlifted to hospital after serious dog attack 

An elderly farmer was airlifted to hospital following a dog attack in Co Cavan this week.

Lakeland and Kerry follow Glanbia in announcing unchanged milk price for May supplies 

Lakeland Dairies and Kerry have both announced unchanged milk prices for May supplies

A new approach to ending the boom and bust milk price cycle 

Price volatility is a spectre that haunts every dairy farmer in particular. It was not always so. During the 30 years from 1977 to 2007 milk prices were extraordinarily stable, apart from regular seasonal variations.

Tractor sales see steady increase on last year 

Tractor registration figures issued by the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) covering the period to the end of May indicate a steady level of sales activity.

Dan O'Brien: If Trump makes us choose between agriculture and exports, farming will have to be a sacrificial lamb 

Ireland could be facing a very painful choice in the near future. The choice looming is between the farming sector, which is in long-term relative decline, and the non-agricultural export sector, which is many times bigger and the main driver of growth in the Irish economy.

Farm Assist scheme needs an overhaul, warn hill farmers 

The Farm Assist scheme needs to be overhauled, farm leaders have warned.

Kerry co-op share redemption scheme can be introduced without vote from members 

The Kerry Co-op shareholder redemption scheme may be introduced even if is not approved by shareholders at a Special General Meeting (SGM) next week it has emerged.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question in beef trade 

My daughter Emily returns this week from her trip to Tanzania, where she and a group from her school were involved in a rural building project.

'All our good bulls are gone to the UK' 

Siobhan English talks to the farmers at Tullow Mart about the Beef Bailout Fund, the ICBF ratings and their plans to cut silage this year

Save Leitrim group claim afforestation rate in the county is double the official figure 

The Save Leitrim Group has disputed a recent Department of Agriculture report that stated that 18.9pc of the county is in forestry, with the group claiming that the figure could be double the official figures

IFA quashes speculation around rule change to allow extended presidency 

An election to determine the next IFA president will take place later this year as planned, the IFA has confirmed, after days of speculation that a rule change could be sought to allow Joe Healy continue in the role.

Greens pushing for total review of CAP reform plan 

A new group of Green MEPs could push for a total review of the CAP 2020 reform proposals.

Glanbia holds milk price for month of May 

Glanbia has announced that it has held its milk price for the month of May.

Trump simplifies reviews of genetically modified farm products 

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to streamline the review process for agricultural biotechnology including genetically modified livestock and seeds.

Over 20 farmers feature on Revenue's tax defaulters list 

Farmers are one of the largest groups to feature on the on the latest Revenue Defaulters list which details tax defaulters for the cases of failure to file a tax return, failure to remit tax, or delivery of an incorrect return.

New Zealand considering ban on live exports to 'protect farming brand' 

The New Zealand Government is considering banning live exports which are worth over $30 million to its economy in order to protect its farming brand.

Georgian style in the Midlands: 99ac farm on the market after three centuries in same family 

A 99ac farm with a Georgian house that has been in the one family for 300 years is about to come on the market

Marts won't be EID ready for at least a month, admits Creed 

It will be the end of the month before the first of the country's marts are fully operational for EID, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has admitted.

Farmers warned of 'extreme danger' of slurry gas after four narrow escapes in Northern Ireland 

Farmers have been warned to be careful of the extreme dangers of slurry mixing after four "narrow escapes" at farms in Northern Ireland over the past two weeks

Light at end of tunnel for sheep farmers as prices start to rise 

Reports from various marts around the country indicate that sheep prices are rising, with factories being forced to follow.

Overhaul of Fair Deal to help farmers will cost €10m a year 

Changes to the Fair Deal scheme aimed at reducing "the stress and uncertainty" experienced by farm and business owners will cost €10m a year.

Lee bows out from farming beat after five years 

'Prime Time' reporter Fran McNulty has been announced as RTÉ's new agriculture and consumer affairs correspondent as George Lee revealed it was time for him to change his focus.

Fair Deal Q&A: What changes are being made? 

Suckler farmers will get a slice of €100m beef bailout fund 

The country's 65,000 suckler farmers will share in the €100m Brexit aid package for the beef sector, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has confirmed.

Exclusive: Reasons behind changes at Ornua as new Chairman takes over 

Ornua has announced that Denis Cregan has been appointed the Chairman of Ornua following the resignation of Aaron Forde. 

Over a quarter of British farmers back a 'no-deal' Brexit 

Over a quarter of British farmers back leaving the EU with no deal, according to a new survey.

Beef Prices: Numbers game leaves farmers in a cloud of despondency 

Strong supply numbers continue to dominate all discussions around factory prices.

Construction boss goes back to his farming roots for a good cause 

One of Kerry's most successful businessmen has come to the rescue of a charity by paying close to €2m at auction for a prime farm in the Kingdom.

Environment watchdog calls for radical action on fertiliser usage 

A radical raft of measures to halt a slide in quality standards in the country's waterways is being proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Exclusive: Reasons behind changes at Ornua as new Chairman takes over 

Ornua has announced that Denis Cregan has been appointed the Chairman of Ornua following the resignation of Aaron Forde. 

Margaret Donnelly: Our focus needs to be on the bigger picture rather than once-off bailouts 

At the moment it seems everyone's mind is concentrated on the €50m EU beef fund that is coming down the tracks. The fund will be bolstered by a further €50m from the Government and few would argue that the €100m is not needed within the beef sector.

Farmer paid nine years redundancy to worker who had laboured on family farm for 30 years 

A FARM owner has been ordered to pay a worker over €18,000 after making him redundant after 30 years of service.

Rain disrupts silage season 

Unsettled weather has halted silage cutting in many parts of the country, but last week west Limerick agricultural contractor Michael Barrett and his crew (pictured) were at work at Salesian Agricultural College, Pallaskenry.

Stricter Fair Deal rules to stop heirs from cashing in 

The long-awaited overhaul of the Fair Deal scheme to reduce the burden on farm families and small business owners has been approved.

'No sign of any change in weather patterns' - East to get two times average rainfall this week 

Met Eireann projections indicate that the eastern half of the country will have 1.7 to 2.0 times average rainfall this week.

Brazil's Bolsonaro says Mercosur will soon sign EU trade deal 

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday the Mercosur bloc of South American countries will soon sign a trade deal with the European Union, and he thanked Argentine President Mauricio Macri for his role in pushing for the commercial pact.

Farmers among victims of former psychic convicted of theft and money laundering 

A former psychic has been convicted by a jury of the theft and money laundering of €1.6m.

Automated tillage moves closer to becoming a reality 

Extra funding has been made available to a unique autonomous arable farming project aiming to deliver 'hands-free' harvesting.

Land prices in west of Ireland have fallen, new data shows 

Land prices in the West of Ireland have fallen for three consecutive years, according to new data from Sherry FitzGerald Research.

Claims and counter claims over Kerry Co-op cash for shares initiative 

Claims and counter claims continue about the merits of Kerry Co-op Creameries Share Redemption Scheme continue this week ahead of a crucial vote in the Brandon Hotel, Tralee on June 19.

British online supermarket invests £17m in vertical farming deals 

The British online supermarket Ocado has announced a pair of major investment deals to expand into vertical farming.

The wettest and wildest planting season US farmers can remember 

There has never been a spring planting season like this one. Rivers topped their banks. Levees were breached. Fields filled with water and mud. And it kept raining.

358 acre farm in Meath fails to sell after falling short of €11m guide 

A Meath estate on 358ac of grass and tillage was withdrawn from auction during the week after being bid to €9.5m.

Creed refuses to back down in fisheries row over Rockall 

The minister responsible for fisheries has said he will not ask Irish fishermen to leave waters around Rockall, despite a renewed threat of enforcement action by the Scottish authorities.

Serial inventor stole the show with solar-powered feeder 

First place in the Inventions in Agriculture Class last year went to Seamus Hession of Connacht Agri for his solar-powered feeder invention, the Solar 1200 Feedsman.

Greens want ban on 'unethical' live exports 

Live exports should be phased out due to their "unethical nature", Green Party agriculture spokesperson Pippa Hackett has said.

Qatar is fighting its boycott with an army of cows 

Two years after flying in thousands of dairy cows to beat a trade embargo, Qatari milk producer Baladna has made its first exports.

Samantha McCaughren: 'Dairy sector be warned, China's not always a land of milk and honey' 

The Irish dairy industry recently got a sharp reminder that Brexit is not its only area of vulnerability. Fonterra, the huge New Zealand dairy cooperative that has long been admired by the Irish dairy industry, issued its second profit warning in three months and announced plans to sell some of its overseas businesses as well as closing processing plants internationally.

Revised Fair Deal rules on contribution from farmers to be backdated 

The overhaul of the Fair Deal scheme to make it easier for farmers and small business owners to pay for nursing home places will apply retrospectively.

Margaret Donnelly: The tide may be going out on EU supports for non-viable farms 

Could a move to pay unprofitable farmers to stop farming solve a number of problems?

'Origin Green is painting a false image to the world and it will come back to bite us' - newly elected Green councillor Pippa Hackett 

While questions were raised last week whether the farming community had actually voted for the Green Party, newly elected Green councillor Pippa Hackett is certain that they did as, after all, she is a farmer herself.

A capital farming opportunity - 30ac holding located close to Dublin city is on the market at €1.15m 

The notion of having a house with a few acres on the outskirts of the city is the dream of many a Dublin resident with roots in the land.

'It's the right thing to do' - Why the brothers behind millenial favourite Sprout & Co took over a 30-acre farm 

Jack and Theo Kirwan are the brothers behind Sprout, which they set up three and a half years ago. Their first branch on Dawson Street in Dublin, a favourite with Trinity students, closed earlier this year as the premises had been earmarked for re-development, but there are five other branches in Dublin and one in Meath, and plans to open another in the capital before the end of the year.

Henry Walsh: Processors must halt the downward pressure on milk price 

It's been another excellent month for farming. Dry ground, growth matching and slightly exceeding demand, some grass bales made, some reseeding completed, pit silage on target for early June, breeding on or even ahead of target.

'Conventional online shopping doesn't work for farmers' 

John Garvey doesn't believe his new app FarmHedge is online shopping for farmers - he feels it goes beyond that and is game-changing for both farmers and suppliers.

A traumatic depopulation provided be blessing in disguise for Cork dairy family 

Depopulations were a nightmare for dairy farmers in the late 1980s, but one such traumatic event 32 years ago proved to be a blessing in disguise for the one family in Co Cork.

Ann Fitzgerald: Our children need to take their exams seriously but not too seriously 

Let the games, sorry, exams, begin! I breathed a sigh of relief when I dropped our daughter Sarah to school this week, as she joins 60,000 or so others in doing the Junior Cert and a similar number doing the Leaving. The wait is over.

LacPatrick Dairies fined for polluting waterway 

LacPatrick Dairies (NI) Ltd pleaded guilty and was fined £2,500 plus £15 Offenders Levy at Coleraine Magistrates Court today for causing a polluting discharge to enter a waterway.

New ICOS President says 'complete imbalance in fortunes' between dairy and livestock sectors needs to be addressed 

Following a meeting of the Board of ICOS, Jerry Long has been elected as President succeeding Michael Spellman who has completed his term of office.

€50m EU beef fund: Key details revealed of draft conditions 

Draft details of the €50m EU beef fund have been revealed from the European Commission, which state that the measures taken by Ireland will be aimed at reducing production as part of the scheme.

Fermanagh farmer rescued after collapse while mixing slurry 

A farmer required medical attention after he was overcome by fumes while mixing slurry.

Couple don't kid about with 1,000 goats for charity 

A farming couple who have reared almost 1,000 goats that have been sent to African families as part of the Bothar charity have been honoured by their local community.

Tom Staunton: Factories are shaving every last cent off lamb returns 

All the lambs have been treated with pour-on against Blowfly strike.

Farming faces 'massive challenges' on safety, warns Teagasc 

The farming sector faces "massive challenges" in reducing its level of work-related fatalities and injuries, Teagasc director Gerry Boyle has warned.

IBEC climate plan won't halt expansion, say dairy bosses 

The dairy industry has strongly denied that processors have put a quota on further milk expansion by accepting that carbon emissions from agriculture must be capped at current levels.

Gardaí probe if unfit horsemeat processed here for export 

Gardaí are investigating if horsemeat unfit for human consumption was processed here before being exported to continental markets in an organised and sophisticated fraud operation.

Margaret Donnelly: 'We must fight any threat to our hard-won reputation on food standards' 

The revelation in 2013 that some Irish beef burgers had up to 29pc horsemeat put the Irish agri-food sector in the headlines worldwide.

ICMSA and Farming Independent to hold urgent farm debt and vulture funds meeting 

ICMSA and the Farming Independent are coming together to host a meeting to discuss farm debt, mortgage problems and vulture funds next week.

Farmers demand milk price rise as Ornua returns hit 32.1c/L 

The argument for a milk price rise to be announced by all Co-ops when they set May milk price is irresistible, the Chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee Ger Quain has said.

Meat processors claim price transparency plan could undermine beef returns 

Beef processors have raised serious concerns regarding plans for greater transparency in the food supply chain.

Agricultural emissions set to grow by 4pc over next decade - EPA 

Agricultural emissions are set to grow by four per cent over the next decade due to increasing cattle numbers, according to a new report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Suspected horsemeat contamination: Garda criminal investigation unit carries out searches on farms 

A number of farms were searched this morning by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation in connection with suspected horsemeat fraud.

EU wheat falls for second session to near two-week low 

European wheat prices fell for a second session on Wednesday on technical elements and following a fall on U.S. markets due to easing concerns about potential crop damage.

New Zealand tightens oversight of how Fonterra sets farmgate milk prices 

New Zealand’s government on Thursday said it would tighten its oversight of how the giant Fonterra dairy cooperative sets the price it pays farmers for milk.

'No-one really knows what's happening with the EID tagging' 

There has been much confusion among sheep farmers in relation to the new EID tagging system since it came into force on June 1.

Budget concerns sees agreement on future CAP pushed back 

An agreement on a common approach to the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is set to be further delayed as Member States seek clarity on the policy's future budget.

Rainfall three and a half times normal in the northwest - Silage work halted by downpours 

Recent heavy rain has seen land saturated over much of Ulster, Connacht and parts of Leinster and brought the 2019 silage season to a compete halt in many parts.

Mart prices reflect fall-off in quality 

Barney O'Connell of Listowel and George Candler of Kilkenny both mention a drop in the quality of stock coming under their hammers in my mini mart reports this week.

Cork dairy farm breaks the million mark 

An 80ac residential farm in Cork sold at auction last week, making €1.205m or €15,000/ac.

No indication of any 'stable summer weather' ahead - Met Éireann 

Met Éireann says the rain is set to continue and there is no indication of any "stable summer weather" ahead. 

Global dairy prices fall 3.4% at auction as butter market softens 

Global dairy prices sank for the second time in a row at an auction held early on Wednesday due to strong supply as prices eased off a long rally earlier in the year.

Brazil expects China to lift ban on Brazilian beef soon - minister 

Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias said on Tuesday she expects China will soon lift a ban on Brazilian beef, which was announced Monday, following a case of atypical mad cow disease found in the state of Mato Grosso.

Record number of French farms convert to organic production 

 A record number of French farms switched to organic production last year, helped by the grains sector catching on to the trend, the country’s organic food agency said on Tuesday.

Fair Deal overhaul to be brought to Cabinet 

NEW legislation that will make it easier for farmers and small business owners to pay for a nursing home place will finally be brought to Cabinet this month.

Doonbeg farmers advised not to cut silage or spread slurry during Donald Trump visit 

Farmers living in Doonbeg have been advised not to cut silage or spread slurry for the duration of President Donald Trump’s visit.

Dairy debt burden hits €1.3bn - Average borrowings total €118,446 in 2018 

Overall debt levels on Irish dairy farms have increased over the last five years and now stand at €1.3bn, according to the latest National Farm Survey.

'Lessons have been learned from Cash for Ash' - Energy chief on new biomass scheme for farmers 

Lessons have been learned from mistakes made in Northern Ireland’s ‘Cash for Ash’ programme in the designing of the new Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) , CEO of Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) Sean Finan has said.

Factories: Bank holiday blues as supply surge sends cattle prices south 

Prices at the factory gate appeared to be under further pressure yesterday with some quotes from agents back another 5c/kg on last week.

Global dairy prices fall for second time in a row 

The GDT (Global Dairy Index) fell for the second time this year following a record gaining streak from December to May.

Cow fostering foals proves she's not a one trick pony 

One Friesian cow has proved that she’s not a one-trick pony by fostering foals on a farm in Co Wexford.

Ulster farming show celebrates 107th year in style 

Thousands turned out as Lurgan Horse and Cattle Society celebrated its 107th annual farming showcase on Saturday.

Government announces support scheme for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion 

The second phase of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), which will provide operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems has opened.

MCPA could be banned if farmers don't improve control measures 

One of the most commonly used farming herbicides could be banned if excessive residues of the chemical continue to be found in public water supplies.

Beef bailout fund to get Brussels green light this week 

The proposed regulation governing the €100m Brexit beef package is expected to be cleared by EU Commission officials this week.

Grain growers call for launch of premium brand for Irish cereals 

A new logo for food, drink and animal feed producers that use only Irish cereals is being sought by the Irish Grain Growers group (IGG).

Thousands of farmers facing 'serious poverty' warns Teagasc 

UP to 30,000 farms are classed as economically vulnerable and at risk of poverty.

Factories: Lamb quotes hold at a €5.50/kg base 

It is hard to judge whether last week's farmer meetings with various sheep processors around the country has yielded anything tangible on prices for producers.

Distillers deny vast majority of grain used to make Irish whiskey is imported 

The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has disputed claims that the bulk of grain used to make Irish whiskey is imported.

EU audit questions environmental benefits of beef data scheme 

An EU farming review has raised concerns around the environmental benefits being delivered by Ireland's €300m Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).

Controversial Kerry farm sells for just short of €2m to local buyer 

A 110ac non-residential farm at Whitefields, Beaufort, near Killarney in Kerry, sold at auction last week, making €1.925m or a strong €17,500/ac.

Darragh McCullough: Distillers have big questions to answer on role of grain imports in the great 'Irish' whiskey boom 

How Irish is 'Irish' whiskey? This is a valid question that our cereal growers have been asking for years. But nobody has been listening.

How can Irish beef producers survive in global race to the bottom on standards? 

On a recent visit to a supermarket I was shocked at the sight of soft drinks being sold in gallon containers and giant packs of cheesy puffs that were as light as air, among a vast array of foods that were processed within an inch of their life.

Search starts for the 2019 FBD Young Farmer of The Year 

Young farmers involved in sectors such as Dairy, Drystock (beef and sheep), Land Mobility and Other Enterprises (including horticulture, pigs, poultry, tillage) are invited to enter and the winner of each sector will compete to be crowned the 2019 FBD Young Farmer of the Year.

Women and retirees urged to consider driving diggers and plant machinery as a career 

An estimated 1,500 vacancies has led to a crisis in recruitment of driver/operators of plant machinery in Ireland and a call by one industry leader to issue an appeal for women, retirees and people who want to upskill to consider the sector as a new or even a second career in order to sustain the building economy.

Some water supplies have persistent issues with pesticide detections - Irish Water 

Irish Water has confirmed a significant increase in pesticide exceedances detected in public water supplies so far this year.

Product choice and timing are key when controlling docks 

Docks must be the most despised and best known persistent weed problem on many intensive grassland farms.

Global leader in dairy suffers from struggling Chinese expansion plan 

Fonterra, the large New Zealand dairy co- operative, which has long been admired by the Irish dairy industry, has issued a second profit warning in three months.

Populations of iconic curlew once hundreds of thousands strong ‘to vanish within a decade’ 

Curlews could be erased from their heartlands across Ireland and the UK within a decade because of intensive farming, which is destroying their wetland habitats.

Brazil reports case of BSE: ministry 

The Brazilian government reported on Friday a case of atypical mad cow disease in an animal in Mato Grosso state, according to a statement from the country’s Agriculture Ministry.

Lump sum payments to older farmers to help encourage transfer of land - Hogan 

Lump sum payments for older farmers who permanently transfer their holding to young farmers has been suggested by EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan as a measure to improve the age profile of farmers in the EU.

Whole flock recording improving ram quality 

Brian and Catherine McNamara run a flock of 275 ewes in Achill, Co Mayo.

Donegal double as 'love' pays dividends for Pat 

A Donegal breeder had a winning day out on the double at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society show and sale at Tullamore.

Ann Fitzgerald: 'Demonisation of beef is the lazy option in a far more complex food debate' 

I can never remember a food come under more sustained attack than beef is undergoing at present and I firmly believe it is unjustified.

Back to nature in the Garden County - A 73ac traditional-style holding is on the market in Wicklow for €585,000 

Last week found me in the Garden County. It was a lovely mild May day as I made my way from Roundwood towards Rathdrum and a traditional 73ac farm at Greenanemore.

No more lame excuses - New technology can detect lameness early - and save farmers huge sums 

Lameness has been described as the most serious welfare concern facing the European dairy industry.

Margaret Donnelly: How will politicians square the green circle with farm expansion? 

There's no doubt that there is an appetite for a greener and cleaner Ireland, but at what cost?

Gerard Sherlock: Grass analysis session was a real eye-opener 

Farmers really got into gear this month with a large amount of first-cut silage already made.

Oasis straight in at number one for Tipp breeder 

The successful Goldstar genes shone brightly for a Tipperary breeder, delivering the championship of show sash and the overall price topper at the Irish Charolais Cattle Society final bull show and sale of the season at GVM Mart, Tullamore on Saturday.

Jim O'Brien: Voter apathy is a symptom of our broken politics 

Last week, I was talking to someone who spent time canvassing during the recent elections. She was amazed at how many door-knocks went unanswered. What was more gobsmacking was the number of houses where the residents were clearly at home, but wouldn't open the door to canvassers.

Advice: What are the key tax implications of gifting a site to a family member? 

Seldom does a week pass that I do not get a query from a farmer about the matter of gifting a site to a family member and the possible tax implications of doing so.

Retaining ewe lambs for Blackface sale returning premium prices for Mayo hill farmer 

Kevin Mulroe runs a hill sheep enterprise at Letterineen, Tourmakeady, Co Mayo. The farm comprises of 60 acres of 'green land' along with both fenced and unfenced commonage.

Richard Curran: 'Carbon tax hike will be the first test of the new 'Green wave'' 

We've all heard of Kermit the Frog's lament that it isn't easy being green, but maybe that is because it is bloody expensive.

Trade wars pose long-term threat to global food supply 

Agricultural traders will be among the winners as global ­temperatures warm, so long as policy makers ease trade rules to allow them to adapt the food supply to climate change.

Brave young farmer opens up about his depression to help others 

THREE years ago Northern Ireland dairy farmer Adam Watson was not in a good place as stress from falling milk prices and his forthcoming wedding started to affect his mental health.

JCB stolen in Longford found in Germany and brought home to owners 

A rural business is counting its lucky stars this morning after a JCB that was stolen from its yard and later discovered in Germany was returned to the business this morning.

Revealed: Sheikhs, beef processors and state agencies among top recipients of EU farm payments 

Beef businessman Larry Goodman and his family, the Emirate Maktoum family and Bord Bia are all in receipt of hundreds of thousands of euro in EU farm payments, according to the 2018 list of Common Agricultural Policy beneficiaries, which is published annually by the Department of Agriculture.

The farmers who are singing till the cows come home 

Singing till the cows come home could very well be the motto of one all-male choir that boasts a considerable amount of farmer members.

Compact Tipp holding creating a stir 

On one of the recent fine days I crossed the bridge at Killaloe, and with the car windows down I climbed the road from Ballina to Portroe in Co Tipperary and on to the lovely village of Ballycommon, where the local thatched restaurant was bustling with custom.

Farmers need legal protection against hikers, says minister 

New legislation will be needed to indemnify farmers who allow hikers on to land, Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring has insisted.

Man charged with murder of woman (75) said her death was a 'genuine accident', gardai tell court 

A MAN charged with murdering an elderly woman has said that her death was "a genuine accident," a court has heard.

Farmer tells money laundering trial how loan he sought never came through 

A farmer has told the trial of a former psychic charged with money laundering he “wouldn't have bought a matchbox” from the man who was helping him to secure a €15 million loan if he knew then what he knew now.

10 steps to cutting your silage bill 

Silage season 2019 has kicked off in earnest over the last week. Mowers are entering fields up and down the country and contractors are reporting big demand for both baled and pit silage. Consider the following 10 steps to get the cheapest bill possible for making good quality silage.

Tommy Boland: Creep grazing offers multiple benefits for lambs 

The main crop of lambs at Lyons are 11 weeks old this week. This is an important juncture, because at this stage the lamb is starting to become more dependent on grass intake to support its energy needs and daily live weight gain.

US set to ramp up pressure on EU for greater access to agricultural markets 

The US will soon start to up its pressure on the EU to include agriculture in the ongoing trade talks, trade analysts have predicted.

'Shearing is a dying trade - it's getting harder to find young people to do it' 

'Shearing on a day-to-day basis is a tough business and it's hard to get young people involved, but it is great that these championships are so popular," says Jim O'Dwyer of the All-Ireland Sheep Shearing Championships, which took place in Cashel last weekend.

Farmers forced to swallow meat-free fare at climate event 

Hungry carnivores were forced to suck on peppers at a major climate change conference in Dublin after the organisers left meat off the lunch menu.

Farmers hit by 'historic' income drop due to 2018's bad weather 

A dramatic increase in feed costs in 2018 due to adverse weather led to a 31pc decrease in dairy farm incomes and a "historical" 22pc drop in cattle-­rearing incomes last year, according to the Teagasc National Farm Survey.

Plans for 12MW Kildare solar farm are rejected 

A JOINT venture between Irish renewables firm BNRG and France's Neoen for a 12MW solar farm in Co Kildare has been refused permission by An Bord Pleanála.

Maximum height for silage pits needed to prevent accidents, say contractors 

A maximum height for the loading/construction of silage pits needs to be issued by the Health and Safety Authority, The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has urged as dairy farm sizes increase.

Bidders slug it out as Wexford holding goes for €19,000/ac 

In an auction that Clive Kavanagh of Jordans described as 'a flyer', a residential farm on 79ac near the village of Rathnure in Wexford sold in its entirety for €1.5m, making almost €19,000/ac.

Brexit nerves set pound on track for biggest monthly drop in a year 

The pound held near a four-month low against the dollar and the euro on Thursday as investors remained sidelined amid the contest to succeed Prime Minister Theresa May.

John Heney: 'Policy-makers are fixated on high-input and high-risk beef production' 

In spite of some extreme variations in temperature this spring, the fact that first-cut silage is coming in so early highlights how good the weather has been.

A concrete idea for water pumps 

Wexford man Jim Ryan has hit on the clever idea of mounting an animal operated water pump on to a pre-cast concrete block for added stability.

Irish monthly milk production edges towards 1 billion litres mark 

Domestic milk intake by creameries and pasteurisers was estimated at 946.7 million litres for April 2019, according to the CSO.

Dairy farm incomes dropped by 31pc to €61,000 in 2018 due to surge in feed costs and adverse weather 

A dramatic increase in feed costs in 2018 due to adverse weather led to a 31pc decrease in dairy farm incomes and 22pc drop in cattle rearing incomes last year, according to the Teagasc National Farm Survey.

Dry weather crimps Fonterra's NZ, Australia milk output 

Dairy group Fonterra on Thursday said its New Zealand milk production fell 10pc in April from the year before as dry weather hit farms.

Revamped Mercosur deal poses new threat to agriculture sector 

European farmers are back on the offensive as a trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc inches closer.

Another blow as bullock prices stagger backwards 

After the previous week's general drop in prices, the latest figures contain more bad news.

Grain prices improve as US counts cost of spring floods 

Grain prices have improved by €5/t over the last week as the outlook for global corn supplies took a hit on the back of disastrous sowing conditions for the US maize crop.

Popular pickups: steady demand for their blend of workhorse ability and car comfort 

Pickups are popular for their versatility as they blend rugged, workhorse ability with car-like interior comfort.

Farmer tells money laundering trial "easier get through to Donald Trump” than man supposed to be managing loan 

A dairy farmer has told the trial of a former psychic charged with money laundering that it “would be easier to get through to Donald Trump” than to contact the man he thought was managing his loan.

Darragh McCullough: Will our new cohort of MEPs have the courage to halt the European farm payments gravy train? 

What will our newly elected MEPs want for farmers in the next EU parliament?

Supply boost sees Glanbia pay €1bn for milk in 2018 

Glanbia Ireland said today that it paid approximately €1 billion, including VAT, for milk directly to 4,500 farmer suppliers in 2018.

‘Total mayhem’: Shirtless radio presenter chases invading cows off his property 

BBC Radio Ulster’s Stephen Nolan said he was ‘furious’ after the bovine invaders set off his alarms and woke him up.

Gardai raid farm in Co Donegal and uncover animal carcasses 

Gardai and Department of Agriculture officials have raided a farm on the outskirts of Letterkenny in Co Donegal.

'No evidence of cartel at work in beef industry' - Competition Commission 

There’s no evidence of a cartel at work in the beef industry, The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has stated.

Creed tells first meeting CAP post-2020 Consultative Committee that 40pc of Budget must go to climate action 

The inaugural meeting of the new CAP post-2020 Consultative Committee, is taking place today chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.

France to ban widely used crop fungicide over health concerns 

France’s health and safety regulator has decided to ban a widely used crop fungicide after classifying it as a so-called endocrine disruptor posing risks for humans and the environment.

Irish forest cover at its highest level in 350 years 

Forest cover is estimated to be at its highest in 350 years, with the majority of it planted by farmers, according to the Department of Agriculture’s annual Forest Statistics Report for 2019.

'We'd love to see farmers get better price from factories' - Teagasc 

Teagasc has said it that it would “love” to see beef farmers get a higher return from factories for their product but has no influence over price.

Land-buying spree by stud farms might be at an end as Tipp farms fail to hit asking prices 

There are signs that the heat may be going out of the land market in south Tipperary.

FF Farm Safety Agency Bill progresses in Seanad 

Fianna Fáil Senator Paul Daly has said it is imperative that farm safety is taken seriously and that a standalone agency take responsibility for farm safety.

Gender threat to Hogan's EU job but McGuinness in line for key role 

EU Commissioner Phil Hogan's position could be under threat due to a significant push to introduce more gender balance in European institutions.

Department needs to carry costs of electronic tagging, warn sheep farmers 

The full cost of electronic sheep tagging (EID) must be carried by the Department of Agriculture until the marts and factories are fully compliant with the new technology.

'I had to change - the way I was farming was simply not sustainable' 

Five years ago Fergal Byrne reached a crossroads in his farming life.

'EU would be right to revoke Ireland’s nitrates derogation' - An Taisce 

An Taisce has said the EU would be right to revoke Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

Plea issued to farmers after weedkiller is discovered in water supply 

A warning has been issued after an 'exceedance' for the herbicide glyphosate was detected in the public drinking water supply in Co Mayo.

'No more savage price cuts' - ICSA tell ICM Camolin at meeting 

ICSA has insisted that there be no more "savage" sheep price cuts in the short to medium term at a meeting with Irish Country Meats in Camolin, Co Wexford.