EU
Brexit: 'No chance' UK will leave the EU
Odds being laid in Brussels on whether the UK will quit the EU stand at around 1/6 on – which...
Opinion
Opinion
Some people think a 12-year-old driving a tractor is crazy - and they're right
When non-farming people hear of a 13-year-old driving a tractor on a public road, they find it crazy that such...
Opinion
Publication of farm payments should be applied to all sectors
The publication of farm payments to farmers across Europe, including Ireland last Saturday, caused a storm in a teacup that...
Opinion
Beef – it’s all about taste and the US delivers
I have just returned from the US, where I attended the 2015 Alltech symposium. While there, I made it my...
Opinion
Thoughts turn to improving beef market stability as prime cattle prices in UK crash
British finishers are wincing at the most recent evidence that the UK’s prime beef cattle market is unacceptably volatile. And,...
Opinion
No point crying over spilt milk - quotas are gone and opportunity knocks
Today is possibly one of the most historically important days in Irish agriculture as we, finally, see the end of...
Beef
Boiling point on beef 5th quarter may see value of deadweight cattle reassessed
The rise in export value of unpaid fifth quarter beef products could trigger re-examination of how value of deadweight cattle...
Dairy
Milk quotas end: The battle is won, but the war continues
Later this week milk quotas will be ancient history, whatever are we going to talk about? It seems that some people...
Beef
UK’s beef farmers pleased Commissioner could probe ex-farm price of slaughter cattle
Yet more public criticism of supermarket purchasing strategies has persuaded beef breeders and finishers in the UK that their long-term...
Opinion
Why all the fuss over greening?
The last fortnight has seen a very strong media focus on the potential impact of greening on Irish agriculture. And,...
Opinion
Suggestions that better education can improve farm safety are insulting nonsense
Last week I met an Irish dairy farmer who was recently heavily criticised by his advisor and discussion group colleagues...
Opinion
The correct place for beef in the climate change debate is essential
Last month’s news that the US government, which is about to issue new healthy eating guidelines, will for the first...
Opinion
It’s time to get tough with rogue farmers
The vast majority of Irish farmers work tirelessly to maintain the fabric of their businesses and, in so doing, act...
Dairy
International Milk Prices - Year in Review
Major international dairy co-operatives, Arla, FrieslandCampina and Fonterra announced milk price reductions in December. Arla’s price fell 1.9 cents to...
Opinion
Reflections on a challenging year for farmers
Despite the excellent weather and growing conditions most farmers will be asking themselves the question: where did it all go...
EU
EU outlook for 2015 to be dominated by dairy, says ICOS
The first quarter of 2015 promises to be very busy from an EU agri-legislation front. As January looms, the new...
Dairy
Milk Quota Abolition – 100 Days to go!
Today marks 100 days until milk quota abolition in Europe. It’s hard to believe that this restrictive market control regime...
Dairy
2015 – more cows or less cows?
With the removal of milk quotas only a few months away, many Irish dairy farmers are set to calve and...
