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Forestry
'The forestry will be our pension pot' - Why this suckler farmer says planting trees will help ensure his survival
For suckler farmer Andrew O'Carroll planting forestry was a route to ensuring his farm's survival.
Doyle announces €17m in forestry payments issuing to farmers
The latest payment of annual tax-free forestry premiums for 2018 amounting to €17.33 million has been announced.
Concern following another detection of pesticide in drinking water
Pesticides have been detected in drinking water sources in Co. Longford.
Long-suffering farmers are set to suffer a little longer from the wind and rain though warm weather on the horizon
Long-suffering Irish farmers are set to suffer a little longer from the wind and rain though hope - and...
Control of roaming deer is up to farmers - Department
The Department of Culture and Heritage has this week said that they are not responsible for controlling red deer following calls from farmers in south Kerry last week for help.
Children of flood-affected farmers to get planning exemptions
The children of farmers whose land is affected by flooding could soon have access to special planning exemptions under new proposals.
Amarenco gets Cork solar farm go-ahead despite opposition by some locals
Irish solar firm Amarenco, headed by former Bord Gáis boss John Mullins, has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála for a 5MW solar farm in...
Retired farmer convicted after turning farmyard into a waste management site
A load of rubbish led to convictions handed down at the District Court in Gorey for a retired farmer and a skip hire operator.
New research into better nutrient management of slurry
The Nutrient Management Centre at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Hillsborough, is currently being commissioned with a key goal to explore technologies which offer opportunities...
Making a splash: Why drilling your own water well can pay for itself within two years
Water charges were introduced in Ireland back in January 2015, but as we know, they didn't last long. After countless protests and political...
Last 10 years have been wettest since records began more than 300 years ago
THE years between 2006 to 2015 made up the wettest decade in more than 300 years, with average rainfall across the 10-year period almost...
Minister Creed appoints two new Directors to Board of Coillte
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., has announced the appointment of two new Directors to the Board of Coillte.
Ombudsman upholds forestry contractor case after farmer pulls out of contract
The Ombudsman has ruled in favour of a forestry contractor in his case against the Forestry service over an unpaid premium.
High levels of pesticide used for killing rushes detected in Donegal water
Farmers urged to use best practice when spraying pesticides following MCPA detections in drinking water in Donegal.
Temperatures to plunge again bringing threat of White Easter
Ireland is facing the prospect of Easter snow, with temperatures set to plunge again at the end of next week.
Country Matters: Defiant thrush sings in the snow
A song thrush suddenly appeared, busily food-searching about a metre away. It seemed to be unaware of my presence behind an old iron railing. I stopped moving, hoping for a closer look. I...
Warmer weather on the way at last - but it will be wet instead
Milder spring weather is finally on the horizon - but frost and ice will continue to pose a risk until next weekend.
Farmers encouraged to make the most of rising timber prices
Farmers with plantations over 14 years old have been encouraged to start to plan and prepare to thin their forest and make the most of the rising timber prices.
Forestry cover now at 10pc of land area
One in every 10 hectares of land is now planted in forestry, according to the latest figures.
Farmers welcome 20pc increase in forest road grant
The 20pc increase in the length of forest road grant aided under the Forest Road Scheme has been welcomed by the IFA.
Farmers warn that hill walking could be shut down amid fire fears
Farmers facing heavy penalties for wildfires could stop walkers coming onto their land, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association has said.
Farmers warned about illegal burning - weeks after deadline passed
The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has issued a strong warning to farmers and their advisors that it is illegal to burn land from March 1 to August 31.
'No more of your nonsense' - Judge tells farmer his actions are affecting the general community by causing pollution
A JUDGE told a County Limerick farmer prosecuted for water pollution she will press the “nuclear...
Farmers say uncontrolled wild deer numbers continue to wreak havoc on Wicklow farms
Farmers in Wicklow have hit out at the extent of the deer population in the county which they say is out of control and releated to the high level of...
'The canary in the mine' - Storm Emma is the harbinger of things to come unless we tackle emissions, with farming community most at...
Farmers have had a dreadful week. The havoc wreaked by Storm Emma has left thousands out...
Ireland's forest cover is estimated to be at its highest level in over 350 years
Ireland’s forest cover is estimated to be at its highest level in over 350 years, according to the Department of Agriculture’s 2017 forest...
Agroforestry incentives to get a boost in revamped 2020 scheme
You may have read a few weeks ago in this paper that the Government has approved new enhanced forest establishment and support grants arising from the Mid-Term Review of the Government's...
Farmers now need a licence to cut down trees on their lands... but there are exemptions
A couple of months ago, I explained that a tree felling licence is required if you wish to fell trees. I described the procedure how to apply under the...
Farms west of the Shannon could be key to meeting climate targets
Focus must be placed on extensive farms west of the Shannon within CAP if we want to achieve climate change targets, the Oireachtais committee on agriculture has heard.
Leitrim councillors move to curb the level of afforestation in the county
Leitrim county councillors have unanimously agreed to amend their County Development Plan in a bid to curb the level of afforestation in the county.
Pesticides put bees at risk, European watchdog confirms
Wild bees and honeybees are put at risk by three pesticides from a group known as neonicotinoids, Europe’s food safety watchdog said this week, confirming previous concerns that prompted an...
Three new solar farms get go-ahead
An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for three solar farms in east Wicklow - two in Rathnew and one in Newtownmountkennedy.
'Deer coming into farmyards at night and eating silage alongside cattle' - Group call for hunting extension
Attendees at a public meeting organised by the Manor Kilbride Deer Management Project (MKDMP) heard that there is an over-reliance on...
Mountains ablaze before cold snap hits Kerry
With days to go before the March 1 deadline, the mountains around Kerry blazed last weekend as famers availed of a rare dry spell to clear gorse.
Hedgecutting closed period comes into force this week
The hedgecutting closed period comes into force again this week with restrictions on farmers on when they can cut their hedgerows.
'Take action': Forest Service issue highest fire warning due to dry weather
The Forest Service has this week issued a Extreme Fire Danger Risk warning, its highest level warning due to extremely dry weather.
'Grossly unfair': Farmers legally have to clean up rubbish illegally dumped on their farms
The "legal burden" placed on farmers to deal with rubbish illegally dumped on their farms needs to be addressed within the new illegal dumping plan,...
'Historic day' - Midland farmers to be encouraged to grow biomass crops as plans to convert peat stations announced
The unveiling of plans to convert two midland peat burning stations to biomass was welcomed as...
Proposal to introduce VAT on fertiliser could add €35m to Government coffers
A study from the ESRI also says eliminating the zero-VAT rate on fertiliser for big farmers could help reduce carbon emissions which, although small,...
Government ups grant and premium rates for forestry as planting lags targets
The Government has approved new enhanced grant and premium for the forestry sector arising from the Mid-Term Review of the Government’s...
Scheme which sees farmers paid to maintain public walks to be extended
A commitment given by Minister for Rural Affairs, Michael Ring to extend the number of walks covered by The Walks Scheme has been welcomed by IFA National Hill Committee Chairman Flor...
Restrictions on farmer's sons and daughters building on their land to be loosened
Restrictions for planning permission for homes in the countryside look set to be loosened as part of the National Development Plan’s drive for rural...
Forestry appeals committee in place after court action
Farmers have faced delays in getting licence approvals for tree plantations due to a failure by the Department of Agriculture to put a forestry appeals committee in place until recently, it has...
Nitrates Derogation secured - what it means for farmers
The Department of Agriculture has announced that it has secured a Nitrates Derogation from the European Commission.
TB nightmare in Kerry showing 'signs of improvement' as Minister says trading between farms could be factor in outbreak
Trading of cattle locally in the area may have been a factor in a TB outbreak in South Kerry which...
Price of petrol, diesel and coal to face hikes under carbon tax plans
Ireland needs to hike carbon taxes on fossil fuels by at least 50pc to drive a move towards cleaner forms of energy and help tackle climate change.
The ‘Super-Ranger’ badgers that may hold the key to limiting the spread of bovine TB
Researchers have discovered a brand new ‘super-ranging’ behaviour in badgers, which has major implications for implementing vaccination...
'Animals are losing weight': The fodder crisis is now turning into an animal welfare crisis says Sligo Cllr
The fodder crisis is now turning into an animal welfare crisis. That's according to Silgo Councillor Jerry Lundy who said farmers were telling him...
Slurry build-up is now close to breaking point on farms
Contractors are battling atrocious weather this week to get slurry spread for hard-pressed farmers.
Almost 300 Inishowen farmers paid €570k to fix flood damage
The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed has released details of the implementation of the 2017 Flood Damage Relief Measure developed in response to the localised severe flooding experienced in...
Suckler subsidy would be 'unwise' warns agri economist
A €200/hd direct payment for the suckler cow herd would not be a "wise use of national resources" according to agri-sector economist Professor Alan Matthews.
