TOP STORIES
News
€34m to pay as ACRES clock ticks for Heydon
Declan O’Brien
The payments clock is now ticking for Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon who has committed to completely finalising ACRES payments by the end of June.
€34m to pay as ACRES clock ticks for Heydon
 
 
Martbids Database: exporters drive the weanling trade
Beef
Martbids Database: exporters drive the weanling trade
Editorial: food producers shine at Bloom
Viewpoints
Editorial: food producers shine at Bloom
KNOWLEDGE HUB
MOST POPULAR
TOPICS THIS WEEK
Machinery
Horsch offers spot spraying without camera system
News
Builín Blasta dressings being recalled from shops
LATEST HEADLINES
NEWS
Ornua PPI drops for third consecutive month
James Hanly
Ornua PPI drops for third consecutive month
This decrease marks the third consecutive fall in the index from 161.9 in February this year which Ornua said reflects “weaker market returns for the month of May”.
Teagasc appoint advisory manager for three midlands counties
James Hanly
Teagasc appoint advisory manager for three midlands counties
The Teagasc Advisory Programme is now managed in 13 regions across Ireland.
Contributor
Amy Coffey is 2025 Blue Jean Country Queen
Jack Kennedy
Editorial: emissions are a global problem
Contributor
IFA Aquaculture in high-level meeting with EU Commissioner
Rayco Group leads the way in rural modular homes SPONSORED
Rayco Group leads the way in rural modular homes
With CE certification, all-steel construction, and 80-year structural warranty, Rayco homes offer hassle-free living.
MART REPORTS
Calf numbers double for May as prices continue to edge upwards
Tommy Moyles
Calf numbers double for May as prices continue to edge upwards
High prices and later calving have combined to see the number of calves at marts double what they were compared with the same time in 2024, according to the ICBF calf price database.
Ewes and lambs hit a high of €415 in Drumshanbo
Rachel Gallagher
Ewes and lambs hit a high of €415 in Drumshanbo
Rachel Gallagher reports from Drumshanbo Livestock Mart for the weekly sheep sale.
Camera at the mart: heavy calves continue to meet super demand in Bandon
Tommy Moyles
Camera at the mart: heavy calves continue to meet super demand in Bandon
Angus- and Hereford-crosses continued their monopoly of trade in Bandon Marts' calf sale as they made up three quarters of all on offer this week. Demand from Europe is seeing calf prices hold firm.
PODCASTS
VIDEO HUB
BEEF
‘Quality food is both difficult and expensive’ - ICOS
James Hanly
‘Quality food is both difficult and expensive’ - ICOS
Factory pressure sees beef quotes dip
Adam Woods
Factory pressure sees beef quotes dip
Issuing of ACRES scorecards for 2025 commences
Darren Carty
Issuing of ACRES scorecards for 2025 commences
Beef Trends: factories drop quotes by 10c/kg
Adam Woods
Beef Trends: factories drop quotes by 10c/kg
FARM PROGRAMMES
DAIRY
Ornua PPI drops for third consecutive month
James Hanly
Ornua PPI drops for third consecutive month
This decrease marks the third consecutive fall in the index from 161.9 in February this year which Ornua said reflects “weaker market returns for the month of May”.
‘Quality food is both difficult and expensive’ - ICOS
James Hanly
‘Quality food is both difficult and expensive’ - ICOS
ICOS president Edward Carr was addressing members and stakeholders at the society’s AGM in Portlaoise on Tuesday, where he said there are high levels of uncertainty facing agriculture.
Aidan Brennan
Dairy Management: managing stemmy grass paddocks
e-Learning
Daire Cregg
Maintaining grass quality, a challenge across the country
Using rumen-protected fat to support fertility and milk fat at turnout SPONSORED
Using rumen-protected fat to support fertility and milk fat at turnout
Rumen-protected fats provide energy without acid to help stabilise rumen conditions while also supporting fertility and milk fat production.
SHEEP
Kill for Eid al-Adha down on other years
Darren Carty
Kill for Eid al-Adha down on other years
Sheep Management: care when applying pour-on
Darren Carty
Sheep Management: care when applying pour-on
Sheep Trends: hoggets facing more pressure
Darren Carty
Sheep Trends: hoggets facing more pressure
Kildare sheep subjected to savage dog attack
Pat O'Toole
Kildare sheep subjected to savage dog attack
KNOWLEDGE HUB
ANIMAL HEALTH
Department seeking advice on poultry compensation rates
James Hanly
Department seeking advice on poultry compensation rates
The Minister for Agriculture is able to order the destruction and disposal of animals, animal products and feed where it is suspected - or is at risk - of being affected by a disease.
Agri jobs: dairy farm assistant €34,000 salary
James Hanly
Agri jobs: dairy farm assistant €34,000 salary
There are a variety of dairy farming roles available to applicants in Wexford, Tipperary and Limerick.
PEDIGREE
€10,200 for Glasson Dalliance B Ashlyn
Nevan McKiernan
€10,200 for Glasson Dalliance B Ashlyn
Ballydoogan Dairies held it's sale of over 70 head of Dairy stock in Carnaross Mart on Friday 30 May, writes Nevan McKiernan
11 national championships set to take place at Armagh Show
Rachel Gallagher
11 national championships set to take place at Armagh Show
Rachel Gallagher looks ahead to the Armagh Show, a major event for Northern Irish sheep breeders.
Rayco Group leads the way in rural modular homesSPONSORED
Rayco Group leads the way in rural modular homes
With CE certification, all-steel construction, and 80-year structural warranty, Rayco homes offer hassle-free living.
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmerSPONSORED
Year after year, Hygeia delivers for Mayo sheep farmer
For Martin Colleran and his son Ryan, farming just outside Kilmaine, Co Mayo, their success is built on good land, healthy stock and smart decisions.
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf BuildingSPONSORED
Levelling up calf rearing with Teemore Mono Calf Building
Proper calf shed ventilation is crucial for maximising calf performance and profitability.
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops SPONSORED
Elatus™ Era: providing consistent disease control across key crops
The weather in spring and early summer has been generally favourable to crop growth and development, a complete contrast to 2024.
For daily news, mart prices and ePaper access from 6am on Thursday, subscribe for just €1 SUBSCRIBE
AGRIBUSINESS
KPMG kept Coolmore ‘in the loop’ on Thomson-Moore tax affairs, court hears
Caitríona Morrissey
KPMG kept Coolmore ‘in the loop’ on Thomson-Moore tax affairs, court hears
A KPMG tax consultant reported back to Coolmore adviser Eddie Irwin about the Thomson-Moores and their tax situation, it was alleged in court.
Farmer Business Developments reports jump in profits
Lorcan Roche Kelly
Farmer Business Developments reports jump in profits
Company has hotels, property business and significant holding of FBD shares.
The winners (and losers) from CAP
Lorcan Roche Kelly
The winners (and losers) from CAP
Several farms connected to the Magnier family received around €650,000.
High grocery inflation changing consumer behaviour
Lorcan Roche Kelly
High grocery inflation changing consumer behaviour
Latest Kantar data shows grocery inflation at 5% for a second reading in a row.
TILLAGE
Horsch offers spot spraying without camera system
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Horsch offers spot spraying without camera system
Grain Trends: no lift in markets
Siobhán Walsh
Grain Trends: no lift in markets
IFA calls for financial aid for tillage farmers
Siobhán Walsh
IFA calls for financial aid for tillage farmers
Tillage Management: closing the gate on many crops
Siobhán Walsh
How to identify blackgrass on your farm
Horsch offers spot spraying without camera system SPONSORED
Sustainability progress on Irish farms
Origin Green sustainability and data analytics manager Dr Eleanor Murphy reports on Irish farm emissions.
MACHINERY
Horsch offers spot spraying without camera system
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Horsch offers spot spraying without camera system
Leeb sprayers with AutoSelect can now ‘spot spray’ with data fed from a drone sweep of the field, Horsch announces.
Young Stock Podcast: from selling 600hp tractors in Australia to Clare branch manager
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Young Stock Podcast: from selling 600hp tractors in Australia to Clare branch manager
Peter Thomas Keaveney speaks with Eoin Murphy, who tells us about his career, from milking cows in New Zealand, to selling 600hp tractors in Australia and becoming a John Deere branch manager in Clare.
Peter Thomas Keaveney
Tidy front-mounted trailing shoe offering better weight distribution
Gary Abbott
Bednar gear gets to work at Farmworks open day
Michael Moroney
Used imported tractor market grows in power terms as numbers decline
New quad bike regulations - are you ready? SPONSORED
New quad bike regulations - are you ready?
Quad bikes are designed to cope with a wide variety of terrain types and so are a fantastic aid for farm work - by Ciaran Roche, FBD risk manager.
PROPERTY
Frontage on two roads is a bonus – land elevated and free draining
Paul Mooney
Frontage on two roads is a bonus – land elevated and free draining
This mid-sized holding is in one block and is divided into three fields.
Well-located farm has scope for development in Co Westmeath
Paul Mooney
Well-located farm has scope for development in Co Westmeath
This holding has good farmland, a sand and gravel quarry and a waste facility. It is for sale in lots.
Farm with traditonal cottage near Lough Ree for €500,000
Paul Mooney
Farm with traditonal cottage near Lough Ree for €500,000
The holding is described as good fattening land and it’s going for public auction.
BUILDINGS
Planning permission for farm building: when is it required?
Martin Merrick
Planning permission for farm building: when is it required?
Martin Merrick outlines some of the requirements surrounding planning permission and farm structures, with most buildings requiring
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Over 710,000ha could be lost due to climate change, says EPA
Anne O'Donoghue
Over 710,000ha could be lost due to climate change, says EPA
This figure represents 10% of the country’s area, the EPA has said.
'Heinous' poisoning suspected as rare white-tailed eagle found dead
Noel Bardon
'Heinous' poisoning suspected as rare white-tailed eagle found dead
Investigations are under way into the cause of death of a rare eagle suspected of having been poisoned.
RENEWABLES
Mayo to become green gas leader with new plant
Stephen Robb
Mayo to become green gas leader with new plant
Planning permission has been approved for a new multimillion euro hydrogen plant and energy centre in Killala, Mayo.
Colm McCarthy: should lower-emitting countries change their climate duties?
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy: should lower-emitting countries change their climate duties?
Ireland will adhere to whatever EU policy emerges for the longer term, but will struggle to get back on track.
FORESTRY
Windblown forestry facing felling appeals
Declan O’Brien
Windblown forestry facing felling appeals
A recent meeting of the Forest Windblow Taskforce heard that at least 10 windblow felling licences have been appealed.
Calls for a 'fair' timber measurement system by sawmills for private growers
Donal Magner
Calls for a 'fair' timber measurement system by sawmills for private growers
The sawmills are selling the finished product in cubic metres, so it would be a much fairer system if they purchased from private growers in the same way, John Roche of Arbor has said.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern View: cattle quotes continue downward slide
David Wright
Northern View: cattle quotes continue downward slide
Factories are continuing to put downward pressure on beef, but lambs are heading in the opposite direction.
Special treatment for A5 farmers ruled out
Peter McCann
Special treatment for A5 farmers ruled out
Keith Finegan from DAERA said A5 landowners that apply for planning permission for new livestock housing will not be given more leniency.
IRISH COUNTRY LIVING
Comment
Editorial: ‘after Bloom, many of the show gardens get a new lease of life’
When the crowds have left Bloom, many of the gardens head off to be enjoyed across the country.
Editorial: ‘after Bloom, many of the show gardens get a new lease of life’
Finance
Money Mentor: my father is gifting me land - what tax will I owe?
Comment
‘I wish I could remove the stress and heartache from those I love'
Careers
The points race is not the only path
Food
Why is menu provenance so important in Ireland?
House requires total renovation in Co Cork
Paul Mooney
House requires total renovation in Co Cork
This holding sits in a peaceful location, a few kilometres from the nearest town.
Traditional farmhouse may qualify for renovation grant
Paul Mooney
Traditional farmhouse may qualify for renovation grant
The land is on a cul-de-sac but is near busy towns including Thurles.
Land exceeds €27,000/ac in robust bidding
Paul Mooney
Land exceeds €27,000/ac in robust bidding
There were also successful land sales in counties Carlow, Tipperary, Limerick and Offaly.
Mothers&Others is a real game-changer
Denis Hurley
Mothers&Others is a real game-changer
The social and non-competitive aspects of the groups have proved to be a winner for players and clubs and it’s going from strength to strength.
PHOTOGRAPHY
In pictures: contracting, cattle and student life on farms across Ireland
Photo Desk
In pictures: contracting, cattle and student life on farms across Ireland
Watch: this week in photos as farmers harvest, bale hay and tend livestock
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers harvest, bale hay and tend livestock
Watch: Coolmore Stud uses unique crane to stack bales of hay
Photo Desk
Watch: Coolmore Stud uses unique crane to stack bales of hay
Watch: this week in photos as farmers tackle silage, sales and summer prep
Photo Desk
Watch: this week in photos as farmers tackle silage, sales and summer prep
VIEWPOINTS
Editorial: food producers shine at Bloom
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy
Colm McCarthy: should lower-emitting countries change their climate duties?
Colm McCarthy
Colm McCarthy
Home Farm: downpours threaten silage plans
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
Dempsey at Large: farmers in business
Matt Dempsey
Matt Dempsey
MOST READ
Watch: exporters pay €8/kg for weanlings in Elphin
 
Watch: exporters pay €8/kg for weanlings in Elphin
Young Stock Podcast: from selling 600hp tractors in Australia to Clare branch manager
 
Young Stock Podcast: from selling 600hp tractors in Australia to Clare branch manager
Top AI bull drops 200 places on EBI list
 
Top AI bull drops 200 places on EBI list
Farmers think there is an industry built around TB – Minister
 
Farmers think there is an industry built around TB – Minister
Kildare sheep subjected to savage dog attack
 
Kildare sheep subjected to savage dog attack
Ewes and lambs hit a high of €415 in Drumshanbo
 
Ewes and lambs hit a high of €415 in Drumshanbo
£600,000 BPS pay-out to Tyrone farmer
 
£600,000 BPS pay-out to Tyrone farmer
Teagasc appoint advisory manager for three midlands counties
 
Teagasc appoint advisory manager for three midlands counties
Magnier knew 'full well' he had no binding agreement for Barne, court hears
 
Magnier knew 'full well' he had no binding agreement for Barne, court hears
‘Quality food is both difficult and expensive’ - ICOS
 
‘Quality food is both difficult and expensive’ - ICOS