Agriculture

Generators for farms: What support is available?

As the winter months approach, farmers may be considering purchasing a generator. Generators can be vital equipment for farms to have due to weather-related impacts on electricity supply. Farmers may be considering either a diesel generator or a power-take-off

Agriland4h ago

Rethinking dry-off on a high-performing Kerry herd

For Co. Kerry dairy farmer Maurice Harty, getting the most from a high-performing cow starts with making the most of the genetics in the herd. At Ballylongane Pedigree Holstein Friesians, the Harty family has been breeding pedigree cows since 1967, with the he

Agriland5h ago

Weekly factory cattle supply up 5,600 head on same week last year

Weekly factory cattle supplies are up 5,600 head on the same week of last year, despite the overall kill this year being down by over 46,000 head or 4.2%. Last year saw unusually lower kill numbers throughout the second half of the year, whereas this year, kil

Agriland5h ago

Farmers to gain control with John Deere AI assistant data tool

John Deere has shown off its new artificial intelligence (AI) assistant called JD that aims to simplify data processing on farms. The American company is updating its ‘John Deere Operations Centre’ farm management platform with JD, an AI assistant built into t

Agriland16h ago

Can finisher pigs thrive on 0.35% phosphorus rations?

The amount of phosphorus (P) finishing pigs require in their diets to maintain productivity is the subject of research underway in Northern Ireland. The trials are assessing if the level of dietary P can be safely lowered to 0.35%. Phosphorus is an essential p

Agriland21h ago

Call for ‘rigorous verification’ before Brazilian beef imports resume

Macra said the suspension of Brazilian beef, poultry and other animal product imports into the EU is “a significant step towards protecting a level playing field for Irish and European farmers”. The suspension, which came into force yesterday (Thursday, Septem

Agriland22h ago

Seeds of hope: how a local farming project is offering a lifeline to Gaza

Family-run Al-Qarara Seed Bank is striving to help Palestinians gain sovereignty over their food security Salama Ayesh Muhanna still remembers the first seeds he planted on his family’s land in al-Qarara, Gaza. At just 17, Muhanna had proudly sprouted cucumber

The Guardian22h ago

Dock populations soar as rains return after drought

One very significant impact of the 2026 drought now becoming apparent is the significant growth of dock populations in all grassland areas. This is a direct consequence of the weed’s deep rooting nature. Adding to the ‘dock challenge’ has been the return of th

Agriland23h ago

The key role of sheep within hill farming systems

Research is confirming that sheep play a key role in helping to maximise the resource represented by hill farming systems. This includes the grazing of blanket bogs at specific times of the year with these animals. But it is an approach to sheep production tha

RSA to highlight vital tractor walkaround checks at Ploughing

The RSA are advising farmers at the National Ploughing Championships 2026 that carrying out a tractor walkaround check is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and others around you. Modern tractors are larger, heavier and faster than

‘Astronomical’ fuel price surge hits farmers in UK and US

Intensification of Middle East conflict and ongoing Russian export ban leads to diesel prices rising 10% in less than a week Farmers are facing an “astronomical” jump in the price of fuel needed to operate their vehicles and machinery after a surge in diesel c

The Guardian1d ago

Cork, Galway, Meath lead new tractor registrations in August

1,920 new tractors have been registered up to the end of August this year, new data from the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) shows. The latest FTMTA Statistics Service Report shows that this represents a 6% increase on the same 8 month per

Tips on maintaining sprayer efficiency this autumn for tillage farms

Teagasc has confirmed that pesticide usage within the tillage sector is not impacting on Irish water quality. But with the autumn planting season about to start in earnest, growers are being reminded of the need to ensure that all sprayers used in the applicat

Trace elements: A key part of the pre-tupping NCT

Irish sheep farmers are being urged by nutrition experts to add trace elements to their pre-tupping checks this season, with the reminder that good breeding performance starts well before the rams go in. Adding to the significance of this trace element-related

ICBF Weighing Programme: What did 95 herds reveal?

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has confirmed that 95 herds took part in the 2026 Dairy Cow Weighing Programme. The 95 herds were selected based on their participation in the Dairy Gene Ireland programme in both 2023 and 2026, allowing ICBF to accu

Country diary: It’s 10am at the Melplash Show and the cider contest is well under way | Sara Hudston

Bridport, Dorset: Away from the sheep, pigs and Martin Clunes’s horse, I find a bounty of local ciders – and concern about this year’s apple harvest It’s Melplash Show day and all of Bridport is here. Crowds jostle for a look at the pigs, cattle and sheep. The

The Guardian1d ago

Fendt launches ‘tremendous’ 680hp tracked tractor at US farm show

AGCO has unveiled its second generation Fendt 1100 Vario Multi-Track (MT), which is capable of nearly 700hp. The launch took place in the US on Tuesday (September 1) at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. AGCO said its most powerful tractor is “deliver

Antrim demo hill farm turning to tech to boost output

The benefits of managing hill farms proactively have been confirmed by research and development work carried out in Northern Ireland. This approach allows for balancing the food output generated by suckler cows and sheep while still maximising the environmenta

Bord Bia bringing insights, apps and family fun to Ploughing 2026

Bord Bia will be located at Block 4, Row 5, Stand 108, within the Government of Ireland Village at the 2026 National Ploughing Championships from September 15–17. Bord Bia staff will be available to discuss market outlooks, share insights on global opportuniti

EESC president highlights sustainable farming to EU commissioner in Offaly

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) president Séamus Boland hosted European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos this week on his family farm in Ballycumber, Co. Offaly. The pair discussed EU enlargement and the role of civil society in preparing c

Galloway cow defies the odds with four live calves

A pedigree Galloway cow has stunned breeders by giving birth to four healthy calves – three bulls and a heifer – in what could be a remarkable first for the historic breed. Political of Balgray, Scotland, delivered the naturally conceived quadruplets on Septem

Agri-Food Regulator launches new look for Ploughing 2026

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) has previewed its new larger stand for this year’s National Ploughing Championships. Attendees are invited to drop by to chat about the work of the Regulator, complete the annual survey of farmers, fishers and grower

Wheat prices up 5.2% as Black Sea concerns grow

International wheat prices continue to gain momentum, according to the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB). During the last week of August, UK November 26 futures’ markets closed at £215.75/t, up £10.75/t (5.2%) on the previous seven days’

Building better cows from Day 1 on a Limerick dairy farm

Achieving average weaning weights of 112kg does not happen by accident. For Patrick and Valerie Sheehy, it starts with meticulous calf management, high-quality nutrition and investing heavily during the first 70 days of life. Patrick Sheehy and his daughter Va

Dairy focus: A look inside the gates of Shinagh dairy farm

Shinagh Dairy Farm recently celebrated its fifteenth year of operation, welcoming farmers from across west Co. Cork and further afield to view its internal operations. The farm, owned by Shinagh Estates, was originally an artificial insemination (AI) station w

Teagasc Future Beef farm walk in Clare postponed to later date

A Teagasc Future Beef national farm walk due to take place this week in Co. Clare has been rescheduled. The James Skehan farm walk has been postponed to Friday, September 11 at 5:00p.m. It was previously due to take place on Friday, September 4 at 6:00p.m. Far

Visit Merlo at Ploughing and find out about their extended warranty offer

Following another successful year at the National Ploughing Championships, Merlo will return in 2026 with a range of telehandlers, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the latest innovations in performance, productivity, safety and operator comfort. S

Revealed: The 15 FBD Young Farmer of the Year semi-finalists for 2026

A total of 15 young farmers operating various agricultural enterprises across Ireland have been shortlisted as semi-finalists for the 2026 edition of the FBD Young Farmer of the Year Competition. The annual competition has been running for 28 years and is led

Leftover fuel scheme money earmarked for fertiliser support

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon is proposing to use leftover funds from the Fuel Income Support Scheme for fertiliser supports. Pressure has been mounting on the minister to deliver a support scheme for farmers since the €540 millio

Genocells to return to Innovation Arena at National Ploughing Championships

Following a successful appearance as a finalist in the Innovation Arena in 2025, Genocells is returning to the National Ploughing Championships this September. Dairy farmers will have another opportunity to learn more about the innovative technology helping to

FCI seeks ‘urgent’ meeting with Heydon as agri-diesel price peaks

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) is seeking an “urgent” meeting with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon after green diesel prices hit a peak for the year last month. The association is publicly calling

Almost half of world’s farmers poisoned by pesticides every year, experts find

Study reveals that pesticide poisoning kills 11,000 people each year, with India accounting for nearly 60% of fatalities Almost half of the world’s farmers are poisoned by pesticides every single year, a study has found. Using publicly available data from 2006

The Guardian3d ago

Vaccination takes the stress out of weaning for Longford farmer

Autumn can be a high-risk period for calf pneumonia on Irish farms, with stressors such as weaning and housing reducing the ability of the immune system to fight disease. One farmer familiar with this challenge is Albert Murphy, who runs 40 suckler cows on 90a

Watch: Inside Ireland’s first on-farm grass biorefinery and AD plant

The country’s first on-farm integrated grass biorefinery and anaerobic digestion (AD) demonstration plant is aiming to unlock the full income potential of our grasslands. The €3 million facility is part of the Farm Zero C project at Shinagh Estate’s demonstrat

Agriland4d ago