Journalists

'There is a huge amount of farmers worried about vulture funds' committee hears amid calls to regulate ‘cowboy’ receivers 

There is a huge number of farmers and farm families worried about vulture funds and the impact on their loans, a Joint Oireachtas Committee on the sale of loans to unregulated private investment funds heard today. It also heard calls for greater regulation of receivers, some of whom are going around the country like ‘cowboys’.

Backstop is a huge protection for Irish farmers - Coveney 

The so-called Brexit 'backstop' is a huge protection for Irish farmers, according to the Tanaiste Simon Coveney.

Ireland slips to second in the world for food security 

Ireland ranks second in the world in a new global food security index after being overtaken by Singapore.

Five agri-food companies named by EPA for failing to meet environmental standards 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the latest National Priority Sites List for Enforcement and named five agri-food companies for failing to meet necessary environmental standards.

Fair Deal legislation for farm families due within weeks 

Legislation that will bring ease the burden of nursing home fees on farm families is due before the Dail within weeks.

Young farmers face €70,000 Stamp Duty and Stocking Relief cap 

Young trained farmers face a cap in the level of farming supports they can avail of at reduced tax rates.

Insufficient approach to Northern Ireland agri sector - new report 

A new report from the House of Commons in the UK has said there is an "insufficient" approach to considering specific agricultural concerns in Northern Ireland.

Movie about epic CPO challenge 'Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid' opens in cinemas 

An award-winning documentary, telling the story of Thomas Reid, who successfully fought a CPO on his farm will be shown in cinemas around the country.

Kerry to open 'forward price scheme' for 2019 supplies 

Kerry milk suppliers will be able to forward sell up to 20pc of their milk next year, under the third 'forward milk price' scheme to be launched by the processor.

Vulture fund 'warned firm not to appear at Oireachtas committee' 

A company was effectively warned by a vulture fund there would be repercussions if it chose to appear before an Oireachtas committee.

Kerry announces its September milk price 

Kerry Group has announced its base milk price for September, keeping it unchanged from its August price.

CAP budget in 'line of fire' as reform proposals enter 'crunch time' 

The EU is entering 'crunch time' in relation to the EU budget and the future CAP proposal, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan has said.

Is blanket planting the way to achieve national forestry targets? 

Ireland has just 560,000ha under forestry, or 11pc of land area, a figure far below the EU average and our national target, a recent panel discussion on the topic heard.

Margaret Donnelly: In terms of cash in pocket, there's not much here to soften coming Brexit blow 

'More money for farmers" was shouted in the Dáil chamber as Paschal Donohoe announced some of his measures for the agri sector. But yesterday's Budget was far from a hand-out to farmers. Much of the increased spend is a helping hand to the broader agri sector and will have left many farmers wondering if there is anything new in it for them.

Budget 2019: Suckler farmers to receive €40/cow under new suckler payment, 10pc increase in ANC payments, Brexit protection 

Farmers can expect a new suckler payment and a restoration of the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments to €250m from the Budget today.

Man dies following farm accident in North Tipperary 

A man has died following a farm accident in North Tipperary this morning.

New test for liver fluke could allow farmers test at home 

A new testing method for liver fluke, which would allow farmers test their own cattle without having to send samples away, is current being trialed.

IFA to protest outside beef forum, instead of participating 

The IFA is to lead a protest of farmers outside next week's beef forum and will not participate in the forum.

Risk that more farms will permanently opt-out of the income averaging system - report 

There is a risk that more farms will permanently opt-out of the income averaging system in the years following the abolition of the milk quota system, a new report addressing the issue of income volatility on Irish dairy farms has found.

Costs rise on 71pc of farms as weather hits production 

Three in four farmers expect Brexit to impact negatively on their business, according to latest Bank of Ireland Agri Pulse results.

We can’t be accountable for people for not doing what they were asked to do - Ploughing organiser 

Ploughing organiser Anna Marie McHugh robustly defended the handling of the ad-hoc shutdown during Storm Ali, saying: "We can't be accountable for people not doing what they were asked to do."

East takes top two ploughing titles as more than 80,000 brave the rain 

Wexford man John Whelan and Eamonn Tracy of Carlow will represent Ireland at the World Ploughing Championships in the US next year, after taking the top two titles in Tullamore yesterday.

Ploughing expected to head to Carlow in 2019 

Next year’s National Ploughing Championships is set to take place in Carlow, although NPA officials would not confirm it after Carlow TD Pat Deering let it slip that it would be held in his constituency next year.

Ploughing Day 3 - heroic efforts overnight see site back in action 

Heroic efforts overnight by the staff at the National Ploughing Championships have turned the site around and back open to the public, after it was shut yesterday.

Ploughing Championships extended to Friday due to Storm Ali 

Tomorrow at the National Ploughing Championships will go ahead organisers have confirmed and it has also confirmed that the event will take place on Friday.

A delayed start but the show must go on: All you need to know about Ploughing Day Two 

THE second day of the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, will have a delayed opening to the public, but is to go ahead.

Opening of Ploughing day two delayed due to weather conditions 

Day two of the National Ploughing Championships has a delayed start, due to adverse weather conditions.

Irish farming could follow the UK down the Brexit rabbit hole 

'If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there," the Mad Hatter told Alice in Wonderland. That's what one source in Europe said to me recently, when I asked, 'how are the British really dealing with Brexit?'

Land for sale by vulture fund removed from auction site 

Two parcels of land in Co Meath, which was being sold by vulture fund Promontoria, has been removed from the online auction site.

New Zealand facing reduced dairy herd and milk output 

The dairy landscape may be about to change dramatically in New Zealand as environmental constraints impact on the sector.

Gene editing could be the rural electrification of our time - US 

Biotechnology advances such as gene editing could be the rural electrification of our time, according to Ted McKinney, the US Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Brexit threats far outweigh opportunities - Love Irish Food 

While Brexit presents some opportunities the threats facing the Irish agri-food sector are far greater, according to Love Irish Food.

Hogan warns that farming and food production needs to get smarter, cleaner, and greener – and fast 

Farming and food production needs to get smarter, cleaner, and greener – and fast, according to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.

Vast majority of agri-food SMEs have no succession plan in place - IFAC 

New research released by accounting body IFAC shows that 83pc of Irish agri food small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have no clear succession plans in place.

More arrests in ongoing land dispute 

More arrests have been made in an ongoing dispute over land in Wexford.

Dairygold announces its July milk price 

Dairygold has announced its July milk price for suppliers.

Appeal for information after 12 vintage tractors are stolen 

Police in Northern Ireland have issued an appeal for information after 12 vintage tractors were stolen.

Kerry increases its July milk price and considers bad weather payments to farmers 

Kerry Group has announced a milk price rise of 1c/L (VAT inclusive) to its suppliers for July milk.

Three-year project to manage deer population in Wicklow announced 

A three-year plan to manage the deer population in Wicklow has been approved by the Department of Agriculture, along with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaelteacht.

Michael Gove “incredibly confident” of a Brexit deal and UK food supply 

The UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that he is “incredibly confident” of the UK striking a deal on Brexit in March.

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.

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.

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.

Elderly man dies in sixth farm tragedy this month 

A 73-year-old man has died following an accident on a farm in Co Galway.

40% of consumers don't fully trust dairy processors as more turn to dairy substitutes 

Some 40pc of consumers do not entirely trust dairy companies, according to research presented by Larry Ryan Director, Behaviour & Attitudes.

Minister asks Brussels to allow relaxing of rules to make more land available for fodder 

The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has formally written to the European Commission seeking support for the relaxing of a number of conditions, which could potentially make a significant amount of land available for the conservation of fodder. 

Garmin Vivoactive 3: Is this the perfect tracker for the all-rounder on the go? 

I love a good sports watch and this Garmin, which comes in at the lower end of its pricing scale, is the ideal watch for someone looking for basic sporting analysis.

Waiting for a drop of rain to reseed 

A group of local farmers in Cork came together to help reseed a 40-acre field in Cork that hadn't been reseeded in 40 years.

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.