Francess McDonnell

Francess McDonnell Profile Picture

Francess McDonnell is an award-winning journalist and producer with significant experience in covering agriculture, agri-business and business issues. She has worked with the Irish Times, Sunday Times Ireland, Sky News Ireland, BBC Northern Ireland and the Belfast Telegraph and Irish News. Her family has farmed for generations and is part of a rural, lough-shore community where her interest in farming, agri-business and rural issues first began. She is a graduate of De Montfort University, Leicester and the School of Journalism, Cardiff University.

Factory prices do not add up for beef farmers warns IFA
Factory prices do not add up for beef farmers warns IFA

Beef and suckler farmers are seeking urgent, direct support from the government to head off a costs crisis that could...

Financial supports for farmers on table at latest TB Forum meeting
Financial supports for farmers on table at latest TB Forum meeting

Advanced discussions around “proper funding models” to support the government’s TB Eradication Strategy will take place today in Dublin, Tuesday...

McConalogue wants Ireland to be sustainable food capital of the world
McConalogue wants Ireland to be sustainable food capital of the world

Agriculture is the backbone of food security and rural livelihoods – in Ireland and across the globe – the Minister...

Economics of winter finishing system do not add up – ICSA
Economics of winter finishing system do not add up – ICSA

Winter finishing is “finished”, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has claimed, because factories are cutting prices on...

‘Misapprehension’ about farming and agri-food sector criticised by ICMSA
‘Misapprehension’ about farming and agri-food sector criticised by ICMSA

The government has a fundamental “misapprehension” about the role and structure of Ireland’s farming and agri-food sector, the Irish Creamery Milk...

Agriculture run-offs to blame for decline in water quality: EPA
Agriculture run-offs to blame for decline in water quality: EPA

Nutrient pollution, sediment and pesticides from agricultural lands and farmyards running into water have been chiefly blamed for a decline...

Hackett: New climate friendly opportunities could boost farmer incomes
Hackett: New climate friendly opportunities could boost farmer incomes

The agri-food sector “can and must” make urgent improvements to its environmental footprint which in turn could create “additional income”...

Ireland’s agri-food industry is at a crossroads warns Taoiseach
Ireland’s agri-food industry is at a crossroads warns Taoiseach

The agri-food industry is essential to Ireland’s economy but it is at a crossroads, Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned at the...

Sterling’s woes challenging for some Irish food and drink exporters
Sterling’s woes challenging for some Irish food and drink exporters

The uncertainty surrounding sterling is creating challenges for some Irish food and drink exporters who are already battling with soaring...

Number of rural water sources still impacted by summer heatwaves
Number of rural water sources still impacted by summer heatwaves

Irish Water is continuing to tanker water directly to some reservoirs in rural areas following the summer heatwaves which resulted...

Healy-Rae: Farmers hit by energy costs like never before
Healy-Rae: Farmers hit by energy costs like never before

Farmers who use electricity in milking cows along with pig farms, poultry farms and the horticultural industry are being hit...

Attractive supports to be offered to farmers in new Forestry Programme
Attractive supports to be offered to farmers in new Forestry Programme

Farmers must see tree planting as an “integeral part” of their farming enterprise if Ireland is to reach its forestry...

Treemetrics signs €1.2m contract with European Space Agency
Treemetrics signs €1.2m contract with European Space Agency

Cork-headquartered Treemetrics, a forestry management software firm, will play a key role in a new project to provide more accurate...

Garda Technical Bureau will continue examination of Donegal explosion scene
Garda Technical Bureau will continue examination of Donegal explosion scene

The Garda Technical Bureau, with support from other agencies, will continue its investigation into the explosion in Creeslough over the...

Gardaí confirm 10 fatalities in Creeslough explosion
Gardaí confirm 10 fatalities in Creeslough explosion

Gardaí have now confirmed that 10 people, including children, have died following an explosion at a service station in Creeslough,...

Donegal service station explosion
Donegal service station explosion

An Garda Síochána has confirmed that three people have died following an explosion at a service station in Co. Donegal...

Tirlán asks suppliers to post incorrect milk statements back to them
Tirlán asks suppliers to post incorrect milk statements back to them

Tirlán, which sent a “significant” number of suppliers incorrect milk statements earlier this week, has said it has now put...

New CAP measures for women in farming welcome – IFA
New CAP measures for women in farming welcome – IFA

New initiatives in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan to improve the number of women in farming in...