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Farming

War-torn: A cow grazes near a bombed-out block of flats in the Ukraine’s Kherson region. Photo: Reuters

War-torn: A cow grazes near a bombed-out block of flats in the Ukraine’s Kherson region. Photo: Reuters

Tillage Premium

Richard Hackett: Ukraine’s suffering boosted our profits, now let’s help them out

Latest News

Stock image

Stock image

Environment Premium

EU agrees law to remove CO2 with woodlands and other carbon sinks

'Exceptional prices': Windgates stud, a 53ac residential equestrian farm at Celbridge, made €2.1m at auction

'Exceptional prices': Windgates stud, a 53ac residential equestrian farm at Celbridge, made €2.1m at auction

Leinster Farm Sales Premium

Kildare stud farm makes €44,000/ac

A load of corn is poured into a tractor with grain sleeves, temporary grain storage solution, in the village of Kozyn in Kyiv region, Ukraine November 9, 2022. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

A load of corn is poured into a tractor with grain sleeves, temporary grain storage solution, in the village of Kozyn in Kyiv region, Ukraine November 9, 2022. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Tillage Premium

Ukrainian farmers turn to UN-supplied grain sleeves to save their business

Heading in: Robin Talbot outside his sheds. Photo: Alf Harvey

Heading in: Robin Talbot outside his sheds. Photo: Alf Harvey

Beef Advice Premium

Robin Talbot: Why we house all our cows before the end of October

Playing the markets: Many farmers, particularly those in the Glanbia and Kerry Co-op regions, have had the good fortune to have acquire shares through the various patronage schemes and spin-outs arising from the co-op entities selling off part of their shareholdings in the plcs.

Playing the markets: Many farmers, particularly those in the Glanbia and Kerry Co-op regions, have had the good fortune to have acquire shares through the various patronage schemes and spin-outs arising from the co-op entities selling off part of their shareholdings in the plcs.

Finance Premium

Martin O’Sullivan: How to offset tax when you sell shares

Keep at it: What factors will influence the survival of today’s 140,000 farmers in our state over the next 100 years? Photo: Roger Jones

Keep at it: What factors will influence the survival of today’s 140,000 farmers in our state over the next 100 years? Photo: Roger Jones

Comment Premium

Mike Brady Opinion Stemming the exodus: the key factors that could keep farmers in the game

Stock photo: John D Kelly

Stock photo: John D Kelly

News Premium

Kerry Co-op chairman has 'no problem' holding 'legitimate' vote on value of shares

The company said first trials demonstrated exceptional results, allowing a projection of 11.7 Kg per m2 yield per year. Further projected at scale, this is the equivalent of 117 tonnes per hectare per year - 26 times that of open-field farming yields.

The company said first trials demonstrated exceptional results, allowing a projection of 11.7 Kg per m2 yield per year. Further projected at scale, this is the equivalent of 117 tonnes per hectare per year - 26 times that of open-field farming yields.

Tillage Premium

Wheat grown indoors in breakthrough for vertical farming

Ballyhoura Development are carrying out a feasibility study into devloping an anaerobic digestion plant in north Cork.

Ballyhoura Development are carrying out a feasibility study into devloping an anaerobic digestion plant in north Cork.

Agri-Business

Plans for 130 large scale agricultural anaerobic digestion plants to be built by 2030

Commercial vessels including those which are part of Black Sea grain deal wait to pass the Bosphorus strait. Photograph: Umit Bektas/Reuters

Commercial vessels including those which are part of Black Sea grain deal wait to pass the Bosphorus strait. Photograph: Umit Bektas/Reuters

Farming News Premium

Russia links extension of Black Sea deal to freeing its grain and fertiliser exports

Lowering Slaughter Age Focus

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Stock image

News

Slaughter age cut could hike emissions if national herd numbers are not capped

Efforts to reduce the slaughter age of cattle from 26 to 24 months could cause emissions from the national herd to rise if they are not accompanied by a cap on cattle numbers

Teagasc recommends that farmers focus on calf health and weight gain during the first months of life, and better quality silage feeding over the first winter indoors

Teagasc recommends that farmers focus on calf health and weight gain during the first months of life, and better quality silage feeding over the first winter indoors

News Premium

Teagasc takes aim at underachieving weanlings as early slaughter comes into focus

With the early slaughtering of cattle now seen as an essential measure in achieving a 25pc reduction in agriculture’s emissions by 2030, Teagasc has taken aim at those who are not pushing their calves, right from birth.

Decreasing the age of slaughter from 27 months to 24 months has the potential to deliver a methane savings of in excess of 19kg of methane per animal, over their lifetime

Decreasing the age of slaughter from 27 months to 24 months has the potential to deliver a methane savings of in excess of 19kg of methane per animal, over their lifetime

News Premium

‘Significant contribution’: Newford suckler herd reaps rewards as heifers slaughtered under 18 months

Under meticulously controlled conditions, Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm has shown what can be achieved when early slaughter is given priority, writes Niall Hurson.

A reduction in the average by one month is the equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 cows

A reduction in the average by one month is the equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 cows

Comment Premium

Angus Woods Opinion Breeding decisions made on dairy farms will either help or hinder early slaughter efforts

The agreement between farm organisations and the Government on a 25pc reduction in agricultural emissions by 2030 is going to be hard to achieve.

Inside The Farm Gate

It’s important to be armed with all the information when it comes to succession. Photo: Deposit

It’s important to be armed with all the information when it comes to succession. Photo: Deposit

Finance Premium

From tax relief to wills, everything you need to know about transferring a farm holding

Transferring the family farm is often viewed as being a complex issue, but it doesn’t have to be, according to Klara McGriskin, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist.

Currently there are generous agri-succession reliefs available. Photo: Monty Rakusen/Getty Images

Currently there are generous agri-succession reliefs available. Photo: Monty Rakusen/Getty Images

Finance Premium

Why now is the best time to avail of tax reliefs and pass on the family farm

Farmers continue to form the backbone of the agri-food sector, which is our most important indigenous exporting industry, playing a vital role in the economy, with 135,000 farms producing over €9.5bn in output annually. In 2021, agri-food exports accounted for 9.3pc of total merchandising exports, with a value of €15.4bn, marking growth of 50pc since 2012.

A bullock grazes on John Heney’s farm — due to the recent wet weather, cattle have now been housed early

A bullock grazes on John Heney’s farm — due to the recent wet weather, cattle have now been housed early

Beef Advice Premium

John Heney: Are beef farmers at last being forced to rethink their farming systems?

With all my finished cattle sold, it’s now possible to take one last look at how things worked out this year.

The new reality is that the cost of growing a hectare of cereals is so high, that the financial consequences of a poor harvest are higher than ever before. Photo: Damien Eagers

The new reality is that the cost of growing a hectare of cereals is so high, that the financial consequences of a poor harvest are higher than ever before. Photo: Damien Eagers

Tillage Premium

In order to forward sell grain, we must know our costs

Tillage farmers are heading into the 2023 season with some trepidation. Input costs have increased to unprecedented levels and positive crop margins can only be sustained by a continuation of current high grain prices and high yields. Often an elusive combination.

Premium

Eamon O'Connell Opinion Eamon O’Connell: BVD eradication is in sight, but it’s far from a done deal

Premium

Gallery ‘If you go to a mart to sell sheep, you are one of two or three women there. But if you know what you’re doing, you’re not nervous about it’

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Darragh McCullough Opinion We’re already thinking about the next drought and taking steps to protect our herd

Out of the ordinary: Ivan Rumley with one of his water buffulo at Rumley’s Open Farm in Waterfall, Co Cork. Photos: David Creedon

Out of the ordinary: Ivan Rumley with one of his water buffulo at Rumley’s Open Farm in Waterfall, Co Cork. Photos: David Creedon

Agri-Business Premium

Gallery How this Cork farm added value by opening up to the public – with an exotic twist

Figures: Dermot Heaney says, ‘We need to be able to show we can look after the environment while showing a good profit and maintaining a decent work-life balance’

Figures: Dermot Heaney says, ‘We need to be able to show we can look after the environment while showing a good profit and maintaining a decent work-life balance’

Dairy Advice

‘All farmers should get this data – it’s hard to change what you don’t measure’

The Signpost demonstration farm sustainability results have been issued and we are all getting individual farm reports.

Sorted: Brian Keane houses ewes by expected lambing date and litter size, which will help reduce feed costs in the spring

Sorted: Brian Keane houses ewes by expected lambing date and litter size, which will help reduce feed costs in the spring

Advice

Simple steps to ensure an early, compact lambing

Ewes were joined with rams on October 7 on Brian Keane’s 96ha (237ac) mixed farm at Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, targeting an early March lambing.

Happier indoors: Shane feeding bulls in his sheds. Photo: Brian Farrell

Happier indoors: Shane feeding bulls in his sheds. Photo: Brian Farrell

Beef Advice

Young bulls don’t perform well in wet weather

While we had perfect conditions for grazing in September, the heavy recent rainfall has caused ground conditions to rapidly deteriorate.

Watching his nitrogen inputs: Don Somers on his Wexford farm. Photo: Patrick Browne

Watching his nitrogen inputs: Don Somers on his Wexford farm. Photo: Patrick Browne

Tillage

The financial and environmental benefits of using protected urea

Drilling was completed early last week, finishing with winter oats. I drilled more winter oats than initially intended at the expense of winter rye to create more opportunities for winter wheat next autumn.

Ringside

Still out: Cattle at Ballyroddy, Co Roscommon. Photo: Gerry Faughnan

Still out: Cattle at Ballyroddy, Co Roscommon. Photo: Gerry Faughnan

Cattle Mart Trade Premium

Mart prices hold up despite surge in numbers as weather turns

Robert de Vere Hunt of Cashel mart summed up the options for those with stock still at grass now that the weather has closed in: “The ring, the shed or the factory.”

Shortage: After three weeks of wet weather, the number of bullocks on the land has fallen off a cliff

Shortage: After three weeks of wet weather, the number of bullocks on the land has fallen off a cliff

Beef Prices Premium

Trade firming on back of tightening bullock numbers

After weeks of quotes being becalmed at €4.50-4.60/kg for both bullocks and heifers, there were signs over the weekend that the winds of change had started to stir.

Good deal: This lot of five ram lambs (four were Jacobs), averaging 43kg, made €106 apiece at Drumshanbo. Photos: Gerry Faughnan

Good deal: This lot of five ram lambs (four were Jacobs), averaging 43kg, made €106 apiece at Drumshanbo. Photos: Gerry Faughnan

Lamb Prices Premium

Static quotes ‘a Halloween horror show’ for fatteners

With factory quotes yet again largely unchanged, ICSA’s Sean McNamara described the situation as “a Halloween horror show for those fattening”.

Farmers at Mart in Ballymote Co Sligo

Farmers at Mart in Ballymote Co Sligo

Cattle Mart Trade Premium

Weanling trade gets ‘huge boost’ as shippers return to marts

The return of shippers with contracts for the Turkish market is a huge boost for the weanling trade, according to Martin McNamara of Ennis mart. “They are buying a slightly lesser calf, 300kgs at €800/hd, and that’s a huge help. Farmers are buying the better one at €850-900, maybe €1,000, but it’s the shippers that are helping to get the second string away.”

Property

Millburn is a 96ac residential beef farm with extensive sheds at Kilconly, Tuam, Co Galway

Millburn is a 96ac residential beef farm with extensive sheds at Kilconly, Tuam, Co Galway

Connacht Farm Sales Premium

From intercounty football to farming — top class farm of dedicated pedigree breeder for sale in Galway

At 22 years of age, Richard O’Beirne gave up an intercounty football career to concentrate on farming. It brought him from Strokestown to Kilconly near Tuam in 1989. Not that there is anything wrong with his home place in Roscommon, but he decided to make a fresh start and give his whole attention to farming.

This 60ac farm at Derreen, Scartaglen is available for five-year lease and is well fenced and gated.

This 60ac farm at Derreen, Scartaglen is available for five-year lease and is well fenced and gated.

Farm Property Premium

Letting prices for farmland soar to €400-€500/ac

Figures of €400 to €500/ac are being quoted as the anticipated cost of letting land in the coming round of lettings. Prices like this are already being paid and are likely to become established once the letting season gets going in the next few months. However, the shortage of letting land and the high prices may not be a feature of the land market west of the Shannon.

The farm at Earlsrath is divided into a series of lots with plenty of road frontage

The farm at Earlsrath is divided into a series of lots with plenty of road frontage

Leinster Farm Sales Premium

See inside the 106.5ac Kilkenny farm with a range of buildings set to make up to €1.5m

Two south-eastern farms, in Kilkenny and Wexford, are coming for auction in the next few weeks.

Island retreat: The two-bedroom cottage at Bunnamohaun, Clare island is in need of extensive renovation but is on a great site

Island retreat: The two-bedroom cottage at Bunnamohaun, Clare island is in need of extensive renovation but is on a great site

Connacht Farm Sales Premium

Three opportunities to live the life on the western shores

Life on the western shores has a dreamlike attraction. Many the troubled brow has been uncreased by a few days or weeks spent braving the elements on windswept beaches to the roaring soundtrack of the mighty Atlantic.

Location: The 30ac farm at Julianstown, Co Meath is expected to make strong money.

Location: The 30ac farm at Julianstown, Co Meath is expected to make strong money.

Leinster Farm Sales Premium

Handy holding near Meath coast could fetch €30,000/ac

The vendors of a number of Meath properties on the market will be hoping to take advantage of a late surge in auction sales before the year has turned completely.

Top of the range: The stable yard at Windgates

Top of the range: The stable yard at Windgates

Leinster Farm Sales Premium

See this pair of Derrinstown stud farms in Celbridge

The Derrinstown Stud farms, encompassing over 2,000ac of land in Ireland, are reducing their holdings in the country.

Opinion

The plan to reduce the age of slaughter is an example of a policy which sounds good on paper but could be more troublesome in the real world

The plan to reduce the age of slaughter is an example of a policy which sounds good on paper but could be more troublesome in the real world

Comment Premium

Margaret Donnelly Opinion We’ll need a carrot-and-stick approach or we risk increasing emissions on farms

The long waiting times at drinkers during the summer heat might have been a factor for a poor pregnancy rate this year. Photo: Deposit

The long waiting times at drinkers during the summer heat might have been a factor for a poor pregnancy rate this year. Photo: Deposit

Comment Premium

Darragh McCullough Opinion We’re already thinking about the next drought and taking steps to protect our herd

A bullock grazes on John Heney’s farm — due to the recent wet weather, cattle have now been housed early

A bullock grazes on John Heney’s farm — due to the recent wet weather, cattle have now been housed early

Beef Advice Premium

John Heney: Are beef farmers at last being forced to rethink their farming systems?

In order to forward sell grain, we must know our costs

Ciaran Collins

War of the worlds: How putting the kettle on could help to save the planet

Jim O'Brien

Finding grace among ancient ruins at dawn — thanks to the yelping of a dog

Jim O'Brien

Machinery

MF2

MF2

Tractors Premium

Inside Massey Ferguson’s state-of-the-art 133ac plant that has produced a million tractors

Premium

Gallery This Limerick contractor says ‘we have to pass on as many costs as we can’ as his sector feels the pinch

Premium

Gallery Need something to tow a trailer? Here’s what's on the Irish market

Premium

Gallery These bright sparks are ready to show off their electrifying inventions

Premium

Gallery How to make sure you buy the right second-hand tractor

Farm Vet

Problems lurking in the long grass: The recent spurt of grass growth was welcome, but it could lead to animal health issues. Photo: Ray Ryan

Problems lurking in the long grass: The recent spurt of grass growth was welcome, but it could lead to animal health issues. Photo: Ray Ryan

Dairy Advice Premium

Grass tetany, phosphorous deficiency, lungworm and blackleg can all strike at this time of year – key steps to prevent them

All the talk over the past few weeks has been about the Ploughing. Are you going? What day are you going? What time are you going at? Arranging TB testing and scanning for this week has been an absolute nightmare.

It’s essential to keep teats clean to help stave off mastitis and SCC

It’s essential to keep teats clean to help stave off mastitis and SCC

Comment Premium

Eamon O’Connell: Crisp ’n Dry days are playing havoc with the health of our calves and cows

As I walked across a field overlooking Louth Derg this week, a memory from my childhood came to the forefront of my mind. Every Friday night in our house, we used to have home-cooked chips as a treat.

Make life easier: Eamon O’Connell says, ‘Weaning is the most stressful period in a young animal’s life, and stress compromises the immune system and leaves stock open to developing disease, particularly pneumonia’. Photo: Alf Harvey

Make life easier: Eamon O’Connell says, ‘Weaning is the most stressful period in a young animal’s life, and stress compromises the immune system and leaves stock open to developing disease, particularly pneumonia’. Photo: Alf Harvey

Beef Advice Premium

Eamon O’Connell: Don’t pass the buck — a proper weaning protocol is a win-win for buyer and seller

A collective groan could be heard throughout the farming community as the new TB proposals were leaked in the media.

Hats off to you: Paul Mullarkey from Sligo with Lissadell Nailer, the Simmental National Yearling Bull Champion at Tullamore Show. Photo: Alf Harvey

Hats off to you: Paul Mullarkey from Sligo with Lissadell Nailer, the Simmental National Yearling Bull Champion at Tullamore Show. Photo: Alf Harvey

Rural Life Premium

Eamon O’Connell: How to keep your prize animal healthy before, during and after a show

Show season is in full swing. For the last two years, Covid deprived us of our fix of machinery, trade stands, food stalls and my favourite, livestock.

Legal Advice

It's over: The courts generally try to achieve a clean break

It's over: The courts generally try to achieve a clean break

Legal Advice Premium

Gallery A farmhouse divided? Everything you need to know about what happens when farmers divorce

Premium

We want to transfer our farm to our daughter but we don’t trust her husband. What happens if they get divorced?

Premium

Who is liable? I rented out a field and a young worker hired by a contractor damaged my neighbour’s pier

Premium

Legal advice: My uncle rents out his land with no written contracts. Can his tenants claim squatter’s rights and ruin my inheritance?

Premium

Legal advice: My ex-husband’s last will left the farm to our son. But then he died unexpectedly, leaving a pregnant second wife. Does our son still get the land?