All the latest farming news, comments and editorial opinions from the Irish Farmers Journal

LATEST ARTICLES
Viewpoints
Common sense needed for golden dairy era to continue
Jack Kennedy
We need our EU leaders to understand how Ireland is different – how Ireland can lead EU food production while improving water quality and reducing emissions.
6 December 2023 Viewpoints
Clarity needed from Minister – VAT on equipment
Many farmers still don’t realise the implications of VAT changes highlighted recently.
6 December 2023 Viewpoints
Sucklers – where now with the changes?
The extent of the shift in replacement index value for the extremely low carcase breeds seems way out of kilter relative to the vast majority of suckler cows.
Positive income signals highlighted for 2024
Global uncertainty – at a macro level, there are still many uncertainties.
29 November 2023 Viewpoints
Farmers urged to cast their vote in IFA election
Branch voting is now complete, but postal votes can still be received until close of business on Monday, 11 December.
29 November 2023 Viewpoints
Positive energy in Carrick on Shannon
Crowds in their thousands flocked to the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society’s annual winter fair in Carrick-on-Shannon.
29 November 2023 Viewpoints
Nitrates decision risks losing farmers
Water quality – farmers have no line of sight or clarity on future rules.
29 November 2023 Viewpoints
Smoke screens and clichés in Limerick
Ironically, the longer term scenario and outcome of this and further changes in stocking rate is how this will change what Irish farmers do.
22 November 2023 Viewpoints
Dramatic drop in fertiliser sales
Instead of a combined 500kg (inorganic and organic), many farmers are now using 400kg/ha – a 20% drop in nutrient.
22 November 2023 Viewpoints
Important new laws about quad bikes
Quad bikes - so essential for efficiency, and so useful, but consider carefully before investing, especially if young people are around the farm.
22 November 2023 Viewpoints
Reality bites on farm payments
Changes in the VAT goalposts mean the net cost of some investments have dramatically changed to the farmer.
22 November 2023 Viewpoints
Should farm policy not follow science?
Farmers are getting no hop of the ball on any of these changes yet.
15 November 2023 Viewpoints