Journalists

How reliant are Irish farms on direct payments? 

In 2017 average total payment received was €17,659 per farm and this accounted for 56pc of average farm income.

Is your farm over borrowed compared to others? 

Irish farmers invested almost €835 million in 2017, an increase of 16% on the 2016 level, figures from Teagasc show, with the typical farm investing jus tshy of €10,000.

Consumers face Irish potato shortages as supplies 'critical' in some areas 

Potato supplies are 'critical' in some parts of the country, as weeks of drought conditions take hold.

Kerrygold butter facing law suit over 'grass-fed' claims 

Kerrygold, Ireland's leading butter brand, is facing a potential law suit over it's 'grass-fed' claims.

Butter sales drive China's 30pc increase in dairy imports 

China increased its dairy imports by 30pc during the first three months of this year, with butter the main driver in the increase.

Dairy farmers face an €800m financial hit this year - ICMSA 

Dairy farmers are facing an €800m financial hit this year, the ICMSA has said.

Supervalu announces financial support for Irish vegetable growers 

Supervalu has announced that it has agreed financial support for Irish vegetable growers to ease drought crisis.

Calls for support of independent journalism and end to 'draconian' defamation laws 

The representative body for all national newspapers, Newsbrands Ireland, has launched a five-point plan calling for support for independent journalism and an end to what it says are draconian defamation laws in Ireland.

Thousands of volunteers wanted for Papal Mass; must be 'steady on your feet' 

Thousands of volunteers are sought for the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park next month, including ministers of Communion who are 'steady on their feet'.

Dairy farmers face 60pc fall in net margins as winter and summer weather impact 2018 farm incomes 

The average dairy net margin in 2018 could be down by 60pc, new figures from Teagsc show, with the average dairy farm income could fall to €45,000.

Bord na Mona to receive over €100,000 for trial fish farm 

Bord na Mona is to receive over €100,000 for a trial fish farm in the midlands, one of the largest seafood grants made available by the Department of Agriculture recently.

Elderly man dies after he was struck by tractor in field 

A 73-year-old man has died after he was struck by a tractor while working in a field.

Ireland 'completely' off course to achieve climate change targets 

Ireland is completely off course to achieve its 2020 and 2030 climate change targets, according to the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Annual Review 2018.

Pesticide levels in food remains low - EU figures 

Europeans continue to eat food that is largely free of pesticide residues or which contains levels of residues within legal limits, the latest monitoring figures show.

'The potential for an unprecedented fodder crisis this coming winter is growing by the day' 

The potential for an unprecedented fodder crisis this coming winter is growing by the day, according to Mr. Pat McCormack, President of ICMSA.

Rotary or herringbone milking parlour? One of the country's largest dairy farmers on which he'd install 

Patrick Hickey farms with his wife Elaine and brother John with two dairy farms in the midlands and three other brothers involved in dairying.

Meat factories accused of 'hijacking' drought conditions to cut beef prices by €80/head 

The IFA has accused meat factories of 'hijacking drought conditions to cut beef prices and undermine the market, saying that over the past four weeks prices have been cut by up to €80/head.

Darragh McCullough: The drought is costing me €7,000 extra a week in feed bills 

As the country continues to bask in sunshine, farmers with drought conditions face mounting feed bills as grass growth remains severely curtailed.

'A lovely, jolly gent who will be sadly missed' - Community in shock as man dies after 'falling into slurry pit' 

A Co Monaghan community is in shock after a "well-known and popular" man died following a tragic farming accident on Tuesday afternoon.

Global Dairy Trade price index slumps again 

The latest Global Dairy Trade event, which took place today, has seen most prices slump, with the overall index price down 5pc.

Milk price difference leaves some farmers earning thousands less than others 

Some dairy farmers are earning thousands of euros less than others, based on the base milk price paid by the main eight processors.

97,000 farmers to get €13.2m in Basic Payment refunds 

Almost 100,000 farmers are set to receive a refund that was deducted from their 2016 Basic Payment.

Leitrim and Cork dominate forestry stakes, new figures show 

New figures about the national forest estate show that the national forest estate is expanding and has now reached 11pc of the total land area.

Qatar opens its doors to Irish beef, sheepmeat and poultry 

Qatar has opened its doors to Irish meat and meat products, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced.

Calls for Glanbia to address 3c/L milk price gap 

The ICMSA has called on Glanbia to address the milk price gap, after it announced it was paying suppliers 29c/L as a base price for May milk.

Fire fighters in one county deal with 42 fires in two days 

As temperatures continue to soar across the country, one county's fire services attended 42 gorse, forest and wildland fires in two days.

Farmers face fodder dilemma as lack of rain stops grass growth 

Farmers in Leinster are dealing with drought conditions and many facing fodder issues as the lack of rain in recent weeks means has seen grass growth slow significantly.

Man refused agriculture grant after failing to tick online box 

The Ombudsman received over 3,000 complaints about public services including Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, including one where a man complained to the Ombudsman when the Department of Agriculture imposed a penalty on his application for a Basic Payment in April 2016.

Farmer refunded €27,000 penalty after failing to notify Department of land ownership change 

A farmer received a refund after a €27,550 penalty was imposed on him in relation to a Rural Environmental Protections Scheme (REPS) payment.

Dairygold and LacPatrick set May milk prices with nearly 2c/L difference 

Both Dairygold and LacPatrick have announced their May milk prices with a difference of almost 2c/L between the two processors.

Independence of the Seas: My cruise on Royal Caribbean's 'ultimate family ship' 

After a multi-million euro makeover, Royal Caribbean's 'ultimate family ship' is back.

Kerry increases its base price for May milk 

Kerry Group has increased its base price for May milk supplies it announced today.

Glanbia to pay members 29c/L base price for May milk 

Glanbia will pay its Member milk suppliers a base price of 29c/L, maintaining the price it paid in April.

Farmers facing moisture deficit as good weather takes its toll 

Farmers in some parts of the country are facing possible moisture deficits as the good weather continues.

'It's easy to blame the co-op for milk prices but the co-op model delivers' 

Farmers may frustrated at their co-ops and blame them for the price of milk, or cattle, but they need to remember that the co-op model delivers, outgoing ICOS President Martin Keane.

Goodman's ABP to invest £17m in Scotland 

The Larry Goodman-owned ABP has announced an investment of £17m for the planned redevelopment of its Perth processing plant in Scotland.

Analysis: Revamp could dismantle EU’s level playing field 

The much-maligned Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is among the EU’s oldest policies and, for many, its most successful.

Young farmers and environment the key focus of future CAP - Hogan 

Young farmers and the environment are the two key focus areas of new proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy, the EU Commissioner Phil Hogan announced today.

Proposals to set maximum EU farm payments at €100,000 but loopholes exist 

A cap on the level of direct EU supports to farms across Europe will be set at a maximum of €100,000, with Member States able to set a national cap of between €60,000 and €100,000.

Ireland secures backing in call for CAP budget to be maintained 

Ireland and a number of other EU countries have signed a memorandum requesting that the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget is not cut.

Revealed - beef barons and sheikhs among top recipients of EU farm payments 

Some of the largest EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments to Irish recipients were not just to farmers, but beef barons, Arab sheikh's and semi State bodies were all in receipt of hundreds of thousands of euro last year.

Greenhouse gas levels set to rise as dairy expansion continues 

Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions will increase from current levels to 2020, underpinned by strong economic growth, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The day of not prioritising the environment is over warns dairy boss 

Arrabawn suppliers have been told that sustainability and the environment must be prioritised if we are to avoid expansion issues experienced in the likes of New Zealand and Holland.

15 markets earmarked for best growth opportunities for Irish food exports 

A new report, launched today by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has identified 15 markets by sector that are likely to present growth opportunities for Irish agri-food exporters.

Farmers warned felling licences taking a year to process - IFA 

Forestry felling licenses are taking up to a year to process farmers are being warned by the IFA.

Turmoil in Countrywomen's Association amid proposals to postpone elections 

Allegations of misappropriation of expenses and voting irregularities and attempts to postpone its elections to determine a new President and national officers have rocked the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA).

IFA faces new questions over pay after refusing to clarify president's salary 

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is facing major questions over its president's salary two years after a row over pay rocked the organisation.

Exclusive IFA refuse to clarify details of president's €120k salary 

THE Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) is facing major questions over its president's salary two years after a row over pay rocked the organisation.

Exclusive 'This is not a site, it's a farm' - The farmer who took on the State and won fears he could still lose in the end 

Thomas Reid hit the headlines when he took on the might of the IDA over its attempt to compulsory purchase his 72-acre farm in Kildare just yards from tech giant Intel's massive Leixlip campus.

Kepak Group signs €35m five-year contract with China-based company 

Kepak Group has announced that it has signed a five-year distribution contract with China-based Esen Agro Group.

Lakeland Dairies first to declare an April milk price 

Lakeland Dairies has announced its milk price for April supplies - the first of the major processors to do so.

Stable Ornua PPI means the worst of dairy returns are over - IFA 

The Ornua PPI stabilising for the first time since last October is a clear indication that Irish co-ops have seen the worst of dairy returns, according to IFA National Dairy Chairman Tom Phelan.

First female winner of Aurivo milk quality awards 

A female farmer from Donegal has been named the Milk Supplier of the Year with Aurivo, the first in the history of the awards.

Ireland to be bovine TB free by 2030 under new Government plans 

The Government has committed to eradicate bovine TB from the national herd by 2030, FarmIreland.ie can reveal.

Milkflex loans facility rolled out to dairy farmers nationwide 

Finance Ireland, supported by funding from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Rabobank, has announced that it plans to make the MilkFlex loan product available through participating Co-Ops across Ireland.

If all 'drink link' services were given to Kerry it wouldn't be enough for the county - Healy-Rae 

Kerry TD Micheal Healy-Rae has slammed the Government's proposed 'drink link' service, which will provide 50 rural transport links in 19 counties on a trial basis.

Exclusive Revealed: The 50 bus routes under new 'drink link' plan for rural Ireland 

The routes in the 19 counties set to benefit from a new, dedicated rural transport link can be revealed by Independent.ie

UK farmers push for bigger role - and no tariffs for Irish beef 

The main UK farming body, the National Farmers' Union, is leading calls for British farmers to become the number one supplier of choice to the UK market in light of Brexit.

How much is your farm worth to rent? 

There was a very mixed provincial performance for the agricultural land market in 2017, according to a new survey by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and the Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department of Teagasc.

Sheep processors say EID tagging is necessary for new markets 

Amid criticism from farming organisation over the introduction of mandatory electronic tagging for the sheep sector, Meat Industry Ireland has said the move is necessary.

The proposed future CAP budget in numbers 

Today the European Commission announced its proposal to the future of the CAP. We break it down into numbers and how it will impact Ireland.

Electronic sheep tagging to become mandatory - with one-off €50 support to help farmers 

The mandatory extension of electronic identification to all sheep has been announced by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.

Global Dairy Trade prices fall, after temporary lift 

The latest Global Dairy Trade results has seen prices fall by 1.1pc, after a lift in prices in April.

Gardai probe alleged assault at IFA meeting 

GARDAÍ are probing an alleged assault after an incident between two members of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).

Investigation underway as dead animals and others in 'poor condition' found 

An investigation is underway after a number of animals were found in ‘poor condition’ and one cow and one calf were found dead in a field in Monaghan.

Seanad agricultural panel fills its two seats 

The two vacant seats in the Seanad agricultural panel have been filled with Ian Marshall and Anthony Lawlor elected to the two positions.

200 farm safety inspections to focus on machinery safety 

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will begin a two-week long intensive farm inspection campaign on Tuesday, May 8.

€22m in EU funding for research project looking at turning dairy by-products into high-value products 

The European Commission today announced €22m in funding for a new bio-economy research project to be led by Glanbia Ireland.

Gardaí probe 'assault' by senior IFA member 

GARDAÍ are probing an alleged assault after an incident between two members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

'Faceless vulture funds hell-bent on destroying families,' says the IFA 

The IFA is calling on farmers to "stand back" from forced sales of farmland, as it estimates that at least 150,000 acres are under threat.

Farmers told to 'stand back' from forced disposals as 150,000 acres of farmland faces distressed sale 

The IFA is calling on farmers to 'stand back' from forced sales of farmland, as it estimates that at least 150,000 acres of farmland is under threat from forced sales.

New project to reward farmers with biodiversity habitat plans 

A new project in the Bride Valley in east Cork will reward participating farmers for wildlife on their farms.

Department 'confident' of getting derogation on three-crop rule 

The Department of Agriculture has said it is 'confident' of gaining a derogation for Irish farmers on the three-crop rule, in light of the difficult weather in recent months.

Well-known farmer's disgust at 'produced in Ireland' rashers 'misleading customers' 

Kerry pig farmer Shane McAuliffe was less than impressed when he spotted rashers for sale on the shelves of supermarket Iceland and wants to know why they say ‘produced in Ireland’?

Watch: Shannon Airport cuts hundreds of acres of grass to support farmers through fodder crisis 

Shannon Airport today cut its grass early to help farmers with fodder shortages.

Dale Farm confirms 'interest' in LacPatrick 

The UK's largest co-op Dale Farm has said it is 'interested' in the announcement by LacPatrick yesterday that it is interested in a merger.

Kerry holds March milk price, as Dairygold announces a cut 

Kerry Group has set its March milk price at 32c/L (VAT inclusive).

Are Irish farmers are missing out on organic opportunities? 

Irish MEP Sean Kelly has said that most Irish farmers are ignoring a huge new market for their produce by turning their backs on organic farming.

Farmers paying up to €40 a bale as 'alarming' number of animals starving to death 

Farmers in the west of Ireland are paying up to €40/bale - four times the usual price, while one knackery yard has reported that animals are starving to death in 'alarming' numbers.

LacPatrick Dairies cuts its milk price for March supplies 

The board of LacPatrick Dairies has set a price for March milk.

Lands burned in 2017 will be eligible for future payments 

Farmers who burned land in 2017 will be eligible for future payments, including in 2018, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has said.

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".

'A lot of farmers are not signing up to buy imported fodder as they don't have the money' 

The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has been told that many farmers are not signing up to buy imported fodder as they don't have the money to pay for it.

Shannon Airport offers to bring grass cutting forward to support farmers through fodder crisis 

Shannon Airport has pledged its support to farmers battling the current fodder crisis by offering to repeat its intervention of 2013 when it harvested silage from its 400 acre site.

Tillage farmers urged to grow fodder crops, amid concerns around early silage crops yields and quality 

The 2017/18 cropping season is being severely impacted by the current bad spell of weather and crop options have narrowed considerably but the possibility to grow fodder for livestock farmers should be strongly considered, according to Teagasc.

How many cows can one person sustainably manage? 

With increasing cow numbers it is essential that workloads are sustainable to ensure a resilient farm business into the future, according to Teagasc.

Why if you’re milking cows after 6pm, you’re doing something wrong 

As Ireland’s national dairy herd increases and farmers expand their herds, the need for efficient workflow can result in a big impact on the amount of time spent working.

How to apply for the fodder subsidy 

The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced a €1.5m financial contribution by his Department to help subsidise farmers who have to import fodder, in light of dwindling forage supplies in Ireland.

Floods and freezing weather to hit as farm crisis worsens 

Deluges of heavy rain across large parts of the country will bring flash flooding, waterlogged fields and burst river banks.

Live Three weather warnings in place as flooding reported in several places 

Deluges of heavy rain across large parts of the country will bring flash flooding, waterlogged fields and burst river banks.

Farmers' plea to dog owners - 'The last thing farmers need is for their sheep to be killed by someone's "friendly" pet' 

Sheep farmers are facing an increasingly difficult lambing season with a notable increase in dog attacks in many parts of the country compared to previous years.

First moves to import fodder as farmers face critical shortage 

Dairygold has confirmed that is has organised for the importation of over 2,500 tonnes of fodder (haylage and hay) from the UK with the first loads due to arrive in Ireland tomorrow.

Dairy expansion drives increase as ammonia emissions continue to rise 

Ireland’s emissions are going in the wrong direction for people to benefit from cleaner air, as ammonia emissions continue to rise with dairy herd numbers.

Over 40 lambs killed on neighbouring farms after dog attack 

Over 40 lambs were lost by two neighbouring farmers after they were attacked by dogs in South Roscommon.

Government opens €300m Brexit Loan Scheme 

The Brexit Loan Scheme has been officially opened, allowing applications apply for part of a €300m fund.

29 new jobs announced by Irish Food Board 

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has announced that it is looking to recruit 29 people for new positions in the State body.

New Zealand to cull 20,000 cattle hit by disease outbreak 

New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has said that all cattle on properties infected with the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis will be culled, and will be working with farmers to do that from today.

Free clinics to help farmers submit Basic Payment Scheme applications online 

The Department of Agriculture is running a series of free clinics for farmers to help them submit their Basic Payment Scheme applications online.

New food supply chain proposals will help stamp out unfair trading practices - Hogan 

Details around EU proposals on the future of the food supply chain will be published in April, with the EU Agriculture Commissioner hopeful that it will help stamp out unfair trading practices.

Looking for stock bull this spring? This might help you choose the right one 

The ICBF has launched a new feature, designed to help farmers identify and source the ideal stock bull for their farm.

EU auditors call for CAP spend to be based on 'relevant' targets 

The European Court of Auditors has called on future farm spending to be based on ambitious and relevant performance targets, and not to focus on allocating funding based on 'where it is likely to be fully spent'.

Why Baileys' new tipple won't keep Irish dairy farmers sweet 

Baileys has announced that it is launching its latest version of its popular drink onto the Irish market and it's likely that Irish dairy farmers won't be impressed.

Dairy and suckler farmers opt for different beef bulls when breeding 

The most popular breed of calf registered to suckler cows in Northern Ireland during the first two months of 2018 was Charolais.

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.

Receiver puts €5.5m worth of Offaly farmland up for sale 

Some 742 acres of land in Offaly is currently for sale, with lots of up to 190 acres, on the instruction of a receiver and is guiding at €5.5m.