Journalists

Northern Ireland's Dale Farm eyes LacPatrick 

Northern Ireland's Dale Farm says it's interested in rival LacPatrick, which revealed on Wednesday that it was examining "strategic options" understood to include a merger or sale of the business.

LacPatrick in merger talks with three firms - including rivals 

One of the biggest dairy co-ops in the Border region is in talks with as many as three potential merger partners.

Action urged as deer leave mountains to seek out food 

Farmers are calling for action as they are being invaded by hungry deer coming down off the mountains due to the long hard winter.

Irish plants to start trading with China in 'the very near future' 

Irish beef exporters are gearing up to access potentially lucrative contracts in the vast Asian marketplace of China after shipments were finally green-lit.

What does the Chinese beef deal mean for Ireland? 

Demand for meat in China has quadrupled over the last 30 years. However, beef consumption would be considered relatively low at 4kg per person per year, compared to 19kg per person in Ireland.

Restricted access to penning areas at marts looks to become the "new norm" 

Restricted access to penning areas at marts looks set to become the "new norm", as marts in the north-west of the country lead the way in bringing in new health and safety measures.

€100m export market for Irish beef in China 'may just be tip of iceberg' 

A €100m export market for frozen Irish beef in China may be just the tip of the iceberg as consumption is growing rapidly among the expanding Asian middle class.

Lakeland cuts milk price, but 'balances' price with 2.5c/L support payment 

Lakeland Dairies has cut its March milk price by 2.5c/L, but announced that it will "balance a reduction in the March milk price with a payment to support milk producers during the current very poor milk production conditions caused by bad weather and the fodder crisis".

Lessons must be learned on fodder crisis, admits Creed 

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has admitted that "lessons" will have to be learned from the fodder crisis gripping the country, but denied it was time to "dismantle" the ambitious plans to grow the multi-billion euro agri-sector.

Lakeland Dairies looks to value-added markets as it targets €1bn in revenues 

Valuable infant formula and on-trend nutritional products will be key growth targets for Lakeland Dairies as it aims to hit annual revenues of more than €1bn by 2021.

Revenue at Lakeland Dairies surges as the group targets infant formula opportunities 

Infant milk formulas and health-related nutritional products are key growth targets for north-western milk processor Lakeland Dairies as it recorded a 28pc surge in revenue to over €769m.

Revenue at Lakeland Dairies surges as the group targets infant formula opportunities 

INFANT milk formulas and health-related nutritional products are key growth targets for north-western milk processor Lakeland Dairies as it recorded a 28pc surge in revenue to over €769m.

Farmers facing fodder crisis 'double whammy' 

Farmers are facing a 'double whammy' from weather woes as costs surge due to fodder bills while milk collections slump.

'We aim to reseed 10 to 12pc of the farm annually' - Top grassland farmer sees reseeding as a vital part of the grassland management 

Reseeding has long been touted as one of the most cost effective on-farm investments, with payback expected within two years.

Tag issues are creating log-jam in BDGP scheme 

Ongoing delays in issuing genotyping tags for the BDGP scheme are causing major problems for suckler farmers, it has been warned.

The guessing game - With less than a year to Brexit, confusion and uncertainty reign 

"Our national journey out of the EU is almost over - and a glorious view awaits." As the clock ticks towards Brexit that is the worldview of the UK's foreign secretary Boris Johnson.

Rules relaxed for hauliers making emergency deliveries to farms 

Road safety bosses will take a "pragmatic" approach to lorry drivers' hours as they deliver fodder to stricken farmers.

Weather takes costly toll on animal health - Vets report big increase in pneumonia, mastitis and milk fever 

Vets are encountering a big increase in animal health problems on farms with a rise in mastitis, milk fever, viral pneumonia and joint-ill being reported.

IFA demands halt to vacant site levies on farmland 

Attempts by local authorities to hit farmland with the 'vacant' site levy are completely unacceptable, it has been warned.

'I thought I had plenty of silage – but I was totally out' - 190 cow dairy farmer on coping with an empty silage pit 

The sight of an empty silage pit is something no farmer wants to see when there is little or no grass in the waterlogged fields.

Minister shipping in fodder ‘too little, too late’, says IFA 

Government moves to alleviate the escalating fodder crisis have been blasted as “too little, too late” by under-pressure farmers.

Organic sector calls for more state supports 

Efforts must be doubled to increase the market for Irish organic beef and lamb, it has been urged.

Dairygold lays 'Brexit-proof' plans as profits jump 

Dairygold is pressing ahead on its "Brexit-proofing strategy", with a decision expected on planning permission for a new Jarlsberg cheese plant within weeks.

Fodder crisis spreading to dairy heartland as 'livestock and human crisis' looms 

A forage register to connect feed buyers and sellers is being established by Teagasc as a fodder crisis looms in Munster and south Leinster.

Farm bodies round on 'opportunistic' feed merchants 

Farm organisations have slammed reports that millers and feed merchants are considering a €20-25/t price hike on compound feed rations.

German students come to the rescue of farmer with 1,200 ewes 

It is a spring that will stick in the memories of farmers for a long time to come.

Fine margins: How this Kilkenny calf to beef farmer tripled his margins 

There is still a margin to be made in calf to beef systems, but planning and efficient operations remain key as Pat Bowden can testify. It has been a hectic three years for the Kilkenny farmer, who has switched over from sucklers to rearing Friesian steers from the dairy herds under the guidance of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme.

Farmers are down to the wire on fodder: Teagasc 

There is mounting concern over the potential fodder shortages, with many parts of the south and south-east now feeling the pinch.

Lamb will be at a premium this Easter 

Most families sitting down to the traditional leg of lamb for Easter dinner will be tucking into hogget rather than spring lamb.

Team of 11 bulls deployed for sexed semen trial 

A team of 11 bulls will be used in a new sexed semen trial to assess its fertility compared with conventional straws during the new breeding season.

Eddie Downey in ongoing talks with the IFA over tell-all address 

Former IFA president Eddie Downey is understood to be in discussions with the association over his plan to address a National Council meeting.

The key demands from Irish farm organisations in the next CAP reform 

FARMERS are calling for Member States to step up by putting more into the EU Budget to make up any shortfall in CAP due to Brexit.

Meat processors on collision course with unions over plans to recruit 2,000 non-EU workers 

Meat processors are seeking a massive 2,000 permits for workers from outside the EU to counter what they describe as a "critical" shortage of labour.

Dairy sector must move to GM-free feed to protect its global presence - Glanbia boss 

The Irish Dairy industry needs to move towards delivering produce free from genetically modified feedstuffs to consolidate its presence in key markets, a top dairy executive has warned

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.

Boortmalt aims to secure 500ac for malting barley 'trial' in Donegal 

CLOSE to 20 Donegal tillage farmers have expressed an interest in growing malting barley for Boortmalt this year.

Scramble for sucklers as farmers face 40% cut in BDGP payments 

A cramble to buy quality suckler replacement stock kicked off this week after the Department of Agriculture informed hundreds of farmers their herds would not meet required breeding standards.

'CAP policy circle won't be easy to square': Creed 

Establishing a national CAP position that represents the differing regional views and aspirations of farmers will be a major challenge, admitted Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

Final GLAS payments delayed until end of May 

Farmers will have to wait for the final balancing payment for GLAS until mid-summer, it has emerged.

Glanbia cuts milk price by 3c/L amid warnings of 'market oversupply' 

Glanbia Ireland was first out of the blocks to cut the milk price for February, amid warnings of an oversupply in the marketplace.

Brexit poses 'a sobering challenge for the dairy industry' - Glanbia chief 

The "sobering challenge" posed by Brexit to the Irish economy was highlighted yesterday when the boss of Glanbia Ireland outlined a dramatic fall-off in the incomes of dairy farmers.

Creed calls on insurance companies to step up after snowstorm 

Farmers who suffered significant damage to polytunnels due to Storm Emma may be able to avail of a capital grants scheme to help ease losses.

Government to support €160m investment in Glanbia milk plant creating 86 jobs 

The Government has confirmed Enterprise Ireland support towards Glanbia Ireland’s plans to invest over €160m in its site at Belview, Co Kilkenny.

Creed warns 'sustainability now a key demand' as Glanbia launches its €35m cheese plant expansion 

AGRICULTURE Minister Michael Creed warned sustainability was now a key demand from buyers of dairy produce around the world.

'Base price of €7/kg needed to cover rising sheep sector costs' 

The IFA has warned that early lamb producers will need a base price of more than €7/kg to cover the increased costs of the enterprise.

Record collections save dairy sector from worst of the storm 

Record milk collections over the last three days have prevented serious losses on dairy farms, as hauliers battled severe weather conditions to access farmyards.

Fodder fears growing again as farmers pick up the pieces 

Farmers were battling the aftermath of Storm Emma this week as the full costs of the Siberian cold snap were calculated.

Farmers fear for sheep on snow-covered hills 

Hill sheep farmers will be counting losses from their flocks due to the major snowfall in the coming days.

Opinion: Settlement can herald a new beginning for the IFA 

Pat Smith's final settlement of €1,900,000 with the IFA is more like a telephone number than a tangible sum for most of us.

Massive snow drifts hit milk collections 

Farmers are battling massive snowdrifts across the country, as dairy farmers face major pressures in getting milk collected in treacherous conditions.

How supplying niche markets could help safeguard the future of hill sheep farmers in the west 

What can be done along the western seaboard to try and stem the flow of people leaving farming? That was the question posed by Joe Scahill to farmers gathered for the Teagasc Hill Sheep Conference in Co Mayo.

Fears for lambing and calving as pipes freeze and feed runs low 

Farmers have described conditions as "difficult and challenging", with some dairy farmers struggling to keep water supplies flowing in milking parlours.

IFA to draw on reserve fund to settle Smith case 

The Irish Farmers' Association will be forced to dip into its special reserve fund to pay a settlement to former general secretary Pat Smith. The final cost is expected to be in excess of €2m including legal fees.

Clean sheep policy vital for access to US and China 

The clean livestock policy is important to all operators in the sheep sector as part of the "green and clean" marketing drive to access US and Chinese markets.

Farmers may be banned from penning areas of marts due to accident levels 

Mart Co-Op boards are considering a series of recommendations drawn up to help reduce accident risk levels and lower insurance premiums.

I'm pleased matters have been settled and I'm very proud of IFA - Pat Smith 

Commenting on the settlement today in the High Court of litigation brought against the Irish Farmers’ Association, Mr. Pat Smith said that he and his family are pleased that matters with his former employers, the Irish Farmers’ Association, have been settled. 

Dispute over former IFA Chief's €2m exit package settled 

The former General Secretary of the IFA Pat Smith has settled his legal actions against IFA today, outside the High Court.

ABP signs first Irish deal to sell beef in China 

Larry Goodman's ABP has secured the first contract to supply Irish beef to China, ahead of the widely-anticipated opening up of the huge Asian market.

ABP signs first Irish deal to sell beef in China 

Larry Goodman's ABP has secured the first contract to supply Irish beef to China, ahead of the widely-anticipated opening up of the huge Asian market.

Bord Bia looking at QA scheme for the marts 

A new quality assurance scheme is being devised by Bord Bia for the country's marts.

ABP signs first Irish deal to sell beef in China 

Larry Goodman's ABP has secured the first contract to supply Irish beef to China, ahead of the widely-anticipated opening up of the huge Asian market.

Zero take-up on fodder transport support scheme 

NO completed applications for the new fodder transport support scheme have been lodged with the Agriculture Department so far.

Grazing delays costing €1,000 per week for average 100-cow herd 

Delays in getting cows out on grass is costing dairy farmers dearly in terms of extra feeding and general herd management.

Welfare measures to ban sales of newborn calves 

Selling calves under 10 days old will be banned under new animal welfare measures being prepared by the Department of Agriculture.

Suppliers to Lidl get chance to shine in Europe 

DISCOUNT retailer Lidl is on track to export €300m of Irish produce by 2020, with strong growth in demand for craft beers, cream liquor and grass-fed beef.

How this mixed farm with 350 ewes and 120 bullocks is managing spring grass 

On a bitterly cold February afternoon, that 'perfect day' looked a distant thought as a crowd of students from Kildalton joined the local sheep farmers in the walk across Rory O'Donnell's 66ha grassland farm at Clashwilliam, outside Gowran, Co Kilkenny.

Questions raised over value of €1bn in countryside 

Question marks have been raised over how far the €1bn rural regeneration fund would stretch given the massive need for investment.

Holding out for the 'perfect' spreading day is costing some farmers a month's grass growth 

There was a simple message for sheep farmers at the first Grass10 walk of the season on Rory O'Donnell's 66ha grassland farm at Clashwilliam, outside Gowran, Co Kilkenny. - don't wait for that elusive 'perfect day' to get the fertiliser spreaders out.

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 rejuvenation.

Varadkar's €116bn masterplan revealed: Four new Luas lines, an 'Atlantic Corridor', and 500,000 new homes 

FOUR new Luas lines feature in Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's €116bn masterplan for the future of Ireland.

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 emerged.

Farmers face plunging incomes in 'worst-case' EU budget cuts 

Farmers and less affluent regions face swingeing cuts in EU subsidies post-Brexit unless the bloc can raise fresh cash.

New barley deal will give 'top-up' to suppliers 

A deal with a new malting barley buyer that will deliver a "top-up" to suppliers is being thrashed out, according to the Irish Grain Growers Association.

Fertiliser price hikes will cost sector €70m 

THE IFA has taken issue with fertiliser industry claims that the €40-70/t price hike introduced this season was the result of reduced global product supplies and higher manufacturing charges.

Home-grown grains need 'aggressive' marketing 

Irish home-grown grain must be marketed in a more "aggressive" fashion than in the past with the tillage sector facing major difficulties, it has been warned.

Minister decides what farmers will get biggest slice of €25m disadvantaged payment boost 

HILL and severely marginalised farmers are set to receive a bigger slice of the extra €25m allocated to the Areas of Natural Constraint  (ANC) scheme.

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.

Low quality silage poses health and fertility issues, warn experts 

Dairy farmers with low DMD silage face increased cow health and fertility problems this spring unless they are willing to feed higher levels of concentrates.

Department needs to finance EID cattle tagging costs - ICMSA 

Concerns have been raised over the additional costs on farmers amid moves to make electronic tagging of cattle compulsory.

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.

Coillte revelations have 'damaged' forestry: Doyle 

Forestry Minister Andrew Doyle has challenged Coillte to undo the "damage" done to the confidence of farmers and other potential tree growers.

Calf export ship gets the green light 

A REPLACEMENT SHIP to carry live exports to the Continent has gotten the green light.

'Farmers cannot be “green” if they are in the “red” all the time' - Farmers voice concern over future of CAP 

Farmers cannot be “green” if they are in the “red” all the time came the warning as the future of Ireland’s payments from Brussels were up for discussion.

Grain producers urged to target distillers in 'premium' push 

Irish home-grown grain must be marketed in a more "aggressive" fashion with the tillage sector facing major difficulties, it has been warned.

Fears of beef industry sell-out grow as EU pushes for South America trade deal 

Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan has been urged to force a rethink on the "sell-out" of beef farmers amid moves to close a trade deal with the South American Mercosur countries.

Irish grain must be marketed in a more 'aggressive' fashion 

Irish home-grown grain must be marketed in a more “aggressive” fashion than in the past with the tillage sector facing major difficulties, it has been warned.

Calf export ship still waiting on green light 

THE approval of a suitable ship to carry calf transport trucks to the Continent is still awaiting approval.

It's make or break time on Mercosur beef deal 

The Irish Government is upping the ante on its opposition to an agreement that could grant Brazil and Argentina increased access into the EU's prime beef market.

Farmers warning against red tape for fodder subsidy 

Farmers have warned they must not be caught up in red tape as they avail of the new transport subsidy for fodder-stricken areas in the west and north-west.

Subsidy to be given for fodder transported over 100km to north west 

The Minister for Agriculture has announced details of the transport subsidy for fodder being hauled to the north west.

There is no 'magic bullet' sustainability solution for Irish dairy herd as it grows to 1.6m cows - report 

Dairy farmers have been warned against complacency as a new report sets out a strategy to tackle the national dairy herds' carbon footprint.

Feed suppliers set for a bumper year with sales up 20pc 

A major hike in compound feed sales has been reported by mills and co-ops, with the tonnages bought by farmers increasing by up to 20pc in some areas.

Meat factories cracking down on 'dirty' sheep 

Farmers are facing a clean sheep clampdown in the factories this week, with reports of some plants turning away dirty animals.

Attack of the birds - huge flocks of pigeons wreak havoc on farmer's crop 

Huge flocks of pigeons that have turned to grazing oilseed rape crops in recent weeks are prompting serious concerns among tillage farmers.

Public to be asked for their opinions on future of the Common Agricultural Policy 

The public will be asked to give their opinions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as farmers fear up to defend their slice of the monies.

'Worst outbreak in living memory' - Cattle herds locked up as TB outbreak hits peninsula 

At least 45 cattle herds have been locked up following numerous positive tests for tuberculosis.

'A lot of the young lads don't want the long hours' - Farm contractors give their views on the issues that lie ahead 

With the slurry spreading season kicking off, contractors at the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors' (FCI) conference in Co Dublin gave their views on the issues that lie ahead.

Lobby group looking at site for sugar factory on Carlow/Kildare border 

A new sugar factory delivering jobs to rural areas would be capable of attracting the funding necessary for a multimillion euro revival of the industry, it has been claimed.

Fertiliser price hikes will cost farmers €36m 

A big hike in fertiliser prices this spring could cost farmers over €36m.

Prime Irish beef cuts hit the shelves in Hong Kong 

Irish organic steaks will be found on more shop shelves in Hong Kong, as appetites for premium beef cuts increase.

IFA warns that farmers face ruin if EU subsidies are cut 

Irish beef, sheep and tillage farmers will go out of business unless strong subsidies from Brussels continue, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president has warned.

No one gets up earlier than the Irish farmer - Taoiseach says 'thanks' for sector's economic contribution 

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar drew on his 'funny' name and farming relations when addressing the IFA AGM in Dublin today, and said that as a champion for the self-employed and people who get up early in the morning and nobody gets up earlier than the Irish farmer.

'Retailers are the modern-day dictators abusing their power to accumulate vast profits', says IFA President 

This year will be a defining year for farming, the IFA President Joe Healy has told the Association's AGM in Dublin today, who said that farmers are not getting a fair share for their produce and retailers are the modern-day dictators abusing their power to accumulate vast profits.

Revival of once buoyant sugar sector moving closer, says campaign group 

Tillage farmers have been urged to consider growing sugar beet as a push gets underway to revive the industry with a new processing factory.

Sheep processing hits 10-year high 

Irish factories hit a 10-year high in the throughput in sheepmeat, with 2.9 million animals processed.

Broadband deficit is holding back farming 

Irish farming is in danger of being left behind its European counterparts because of poor or non-existent high-speed broadband, contractors have warned.

Live calf exports set to surge as ship awaits the green light 

An alternative live export ship to replace the Stena Line vessel Horizon is due to be inspected by officials this week.