Opinion
The term 'nomad' cattle is an insult to Irish livestock farmers
The Northern Minster for Agriculture Michelle O’Neill’s decision to seek a change to the EU beef labelling regulations, in the...
Opinion
Opinion
Beef crisis is not Minister Coveney's fault, nor his problem to solve
I have noticed a growing annoyance in recent weeks among livestock farmers about the on-going situation within the beef industry....
Sponsored
Watch: How Cavan farm partnership combats scour
Scour occurs when the gut becomes compromised and calves lose proper functioning of the intestine, resulting in diarrhoea and loss...
Opinion
Demand drives CAO points, but what drives careers?
It’s great to see demand for third-level ag science qualifications growing throughout the island of Ireland. This, no doubt, reflects...
Dairy
Compact calving, high EBI cattle and appropriate stocking rates are key to dairy farm futures
Like it or not we live in interesting times. Dairy farmers today operate in a production environment of unprecedented uncertainty...
Opinion
Farm safety policy – too much carrot – not enough stick?
Speaking at the Tullamore Show this week the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney said that he...
Dairy
Russian food ban a reminder that volatility is outside our control
The ban on food exports to Russia, which was announced last week, could not have happened at a better or...
Agri-Business
Every agricultural show should have its own food village
Irish Shows Association President Jim Harrison is calling on all agricultural show societies to include a food village as part...
Opinion
The EU must support food sectors affected by Russian trade ban
Let’s be clear about this: the European Union helped cause the current outbreak of ‘trade embargo’ related hostilities between Russia...
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Watch: Offaly farmer makes big savings by 'going solar'
Imagine standing on your farm, knowing you have taken steps to secure its future. The sun is shining, not just...
Opinion
Exploring the 'third option' for dairy farmers
I was recently involved in a discussion with a small group of west of Ireland dairy farmers. While delighted with...
Opinion
What a cup of Swiss coffee says about the sorry state of the Irish beef industry
I had the good fortune to travel from Dublin to Zurich with Swissair recently. From the time you get on...
Opinion
Organic inequalities abound
Last week saw the European Commission publish a report, highlighting the growth of the EU’s organic sector. I think, however,...
Dairy
Negative effect of focusing on milk price
Milk price is seldom mentioned on our farm as the sole aim of the business is to operate at low...
Opinion
It’s time the IFA stopped acting like ‘The Grand Old Duke Of York’
The days are over when calling farmers out on to the streets serves any useful purpose. At one level, the...
Opinion
Options for liquid milk producers do exist but time and effort is needed
When one examines the Irish liquid milk market some interesting facts emerge. Gone are the days of buying a pint...
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Roscommon sheep farmer maximises lamb performance
The ideal combination of Lamlac and efficient feeding technology to boost lamb performance has made life a great deal easier...
Dairy
Using super levies to help the wider dairy industry
A point overlooked, certainly in this country, in the aftermath of last week’s EU Farm Council Meeting was a call...
Opinion
Corn versus horn - it’s a question of balance
I sense that the coming weeks will see the old corn-versus-horn debate re-visited as cereal growers complain bitterly about the...
Dairy
Dairy expansion – get big or get out? Or is there a third option?
Dairy expansion came to mind recently and I began to compile a list of families I know who had went into...
Opinion
Some dairy losses are really hard to take
I called in with a very good friend of mine a few days ago, only to find him driving his...