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FARMING - AGRIBUSINESS and TECH

A collection of the latest news, views and analysis from the farming desk on the topic of Agribusiness and technology.

<p>Scientists are only beginning to properly recognise the complexity of soil biota and their essential contribution to life on earth. A 2023 review of existing research, published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that more than half of all the species on earth live in the soil</p>

outdoors

Digging into why our soil is unhealthy and how we can fix it

As we are discovering the complexity and fragility of healthy soil, the importance of protecting our soils becomes ever clearer

<p>The Christmas tree industry is estimated to be worth about €21m to the Irish economy. Picture: iStock</p>

farming

Battling thieves and insects: The tricky business of growing Christmas trees in Ireland

<p>Brazil is the source for 15% of the EU's sugar imports, entering the EU free of import duty.</p>

S farming

Stephen Cadogan: Long finished in Ireland, Mercosur could soon end European sugar beet

tractor fertilizing in field

farming

Irish farmers face highest fertiliser import prices

Lentil, spices, beans, grains in a store in India.

farming

Why you can't trust your spices and ingredients

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

farming

Lamb prices up 40c/kg to 810c/kg

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Karen Walsh, Law of the Land

Close up shot of raw meat hanging on hooks at a slaughterhouse

Beef prices rise another 5-7c/kg in pre-Christmas boom

Prices being offered for supplies across the range of categories have improved by a further 5-7c/kg, driven by very keen competition between the processors for available stock to fill the Christmas orders.

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Paula Hynes: UK farmers are fighting for survival

Paula Hynes: UK farmers are fighting for survival

I stand in solidarity with our UK agri counterparts, they are not protesting for the sake of protesting, they are fighting for survival, writes Paul Hynes

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Election 2024: Somebody needs to have farmers' backs

Election 2024: Somebody needs to have farmers' backs

Friday's general election is coming at a pivotal time for Irish agriculture

Listen | Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

Stephen Cadogan: European food producers are split on the advance of Mercosur

Stephen Cadogan: European food producers are split on the advance of Mercosur

The European Dairy Association (EDA) joined 77 business associations from the EU and South America, ranging from car makers to brewers, calling on EU leaders to prioritise the swift conclusion of the free trade deal

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

hiking at a small river in germany

Tirlán suppliers behind almost 100 Water EIP plans

Not all farmers are potentially eligible for the EIP funding. Those living in Priority Areas for Action (PAAs) have first call.

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Meat industry. Fresh pork meat hanging in the butchery shop.

Irish pig prices hold despite EU slide

There was no change to Irish pig price on Friday, with producers reporting quotes ranging from €2. 08-€2. 12 available from processors in ROI. The SPP (Standard Pig Price – no premium) in the UK reported by AHDB currently is £2. 03/kg (€2.

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Suppliers reporting up to 800c/kg for sheep this week

The strength of the factory trade is being reflected in the live sales at the marts, where several lots are now topping €200/head as the butchers compete for lots.

Wed, 20 Nov, 2024

The meat processing plant. carcasses of beef hang on hooks.

Strong year-end as beef base quotes increase

The base quotes for steers have increased by up to 10c/kg this week, with processors offering 515-525c/kg.

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

butter

40t of butter recalled in US over labelling error

The only thing wrong with the butter is that, due to a manufacturer's error, the packaging does not have a “contains milk” statement.

Tue, 19 Nov, 2024

How soil types can impact nitrate levels on farms

How soil types can impact nitrate levels on farms

Teagasc Agricultural Catchment Specialist, Eddie Burgess, explained some of the mysteries of agricultural water pollution

Wed, 13 Nov, 2024

New Cork Marts chief executive to take over in 2025

New Cork Marts chief executive to take over in 2025

Cork Marts has announced that Cahir-based auctioneer Jonathan O’Sullivan has been appointed as the group's next chief executive. It follows the recent announcement that current chief executive Seán O’Sullivan will retire in early 2025.

Wed, 13 Nov, 2024

FTMTA Farm Machinery Show: First chance to see some of ag's most exciting innovations

FTMTA Farm Machinery Show: First chance to see some of ag's most exciting innovations

This year’s FTMTA Farm Machinery Show offers a first chance to see some of the most exciting agricultural innovations set to launch on the Irish market.

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

Election uncertainty stalls pig markets

Election uncertainty stalls pig markets

There was no change to Irish pig price on Friday last with producers reporting quotes ranging from €2. 08-€2. 12 available from processors in ROI. The SPP (Standard Pig Price – no premium) in the UK reported by AHDB currently is £2. 04/kg (€2.

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

"Hunger" among processors to get beef cattle stocks

Base prices for both steers and heifers have strengthened by 5-10c/kg in a push by factories to source sufficient stock to fill their pre-Christmas orders.

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Sheep trade moves in one direction

Processors added another 10c/kg to their quoted prices this week, with trade moving in one direction as it benefits producers who stuck with sheep breeding despite lean years.

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

FRANCE-AGRICULTURE-POLITICS-DEMO

Dairy giant Lactalis to cut 450 million litres from milk pool

Based in the northwest of France, Lactalis tried to soften the blow for farmers in its home country by saying that reducing the production of bulk commodities like milk powders will lead to better farm gate prices for milk.

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Revealed: billionaires are ‘ultimate beneficiaries’ linked to €3bn of EU farming subsidies

Revealed: billionaires are ‘ultimate beneficiaries’ linked to €3bn of EU farming subsidies

Thousands of small farms have closed according to analysis of official but opaque data from EU member states

Sun, 03 Nov, 2024

Cheddar Cheese Close-up

Paula Hynes: Back to school for cheddar - it's time for a cheese chopping scheme

We seem to have left the door open for other countries to add value to our dairy product, writes Aherla dairy farmer and Farm Exam columnist Paula Hynes.

Fri, 01 Nov, 2024

Butter slices

Cottage industries were the start of it all for Irish food and drink

The book records and documents the establishment and development of the most prominent of the cottage industries, whose products were largely made from farm produce, such as wool, linen, butter and alcohol.

Thu, 31 Oct, 2024

Golden field of barley crops growing on farm at sunset or sunrise

Farmers under scrutiny by the eye in the sky

Area Monitoring System uses computer algorithms to decide on the accuracy of declarations by farmers in their applications for payments

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

Man touching golden heads of wheat while walking through field

€210/t for green feed barley in 2024

Tirlán has announced a headline price of €210/t for green feed barley and €220/t for green feed wheat in its grain pricing for harvest 2024. In addition, the co-op confirmed that it will pay out over €3m in premiums for quality and value-added grains.

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

New York Court dismisses Kerrygold's trademark claim against Tipperary butter

New York Court dismisses Kerrygold's trademark claim against Tipperary butter

A New York Court has ruled that the packages of Kerrygold and Tipperary unsalted Irish butter products are not likely to be confused by consumers

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

Sheep pen

Another 10c/kg added to lamb prices

There has been some wishful thinking lamb prices could hit as high as €8/kg by Christmas.

Tue, 29 Oct, 2024

Innovations to the fore at Millstreet

Innovations to the fore at Millstreet

A Wi-Fi connected gate operated automatically by a weather station was named overall winner of the Innovation Awards at this year's National Dairy Show.

Wed, 23 Oct, 2024

Female hands cutting a piece of ribs in a butchers shop

IFA: Prices edges upwards, but more needed

IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said beef prices are edging upwards, but warned that more is needed from the market. UK prices have also increased again in the past week and are currently over €1/kg above prices here.

Tue, 22 Oct, 2024

Karen Walsh

Karen Walsh

Law of the Land

Farming Crossword

Play Today

PLAY THE WEEKLY FARMING CROSSWORD

The interactive version of the crossword that appears in Thursday’s Farming supplement. No cheating.

Kieran Coughlan

Kieran Coughlan

Farm Finance