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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>Bord Bia China manager, Sinéad Kennedy (left) and minister Timmy Dooley (right) at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2025, Asia’s premier seafood trade event.</p>

farming

Minister Dooley leads agri-food trade mission to China

The trade mission will include government-to-government meetings, a series of trade events, seminars and several customer meetings

<p>Mallow Dairygold Co-Op Superstores staff and the local GAA team at the Mallow store.</p>

farming

Mallow Co-Op Superstores shortlisted for Retail Excellence Awards

<p>Processors are coming under severe pressure to compete for the available supplies and are being forced to lift prices by 5–10c/kg week-on-week.</p>

farming

Tight cattle supplies drives factory competition

University workshop aims to spread awareness of recycled fertilisers

farming

University workshop aims to spread awareness of recycled fertilisers

Tipperary woman appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager

farming

Tipperary woman appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager

Roast Leg of Lamb

farming

Irish lamb launched into US market at New York event

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Corral of Grass fed beef cattle steers at the markets for sale

New Zealand farmer-shareholders in favour of Dawn Meats partnership

Following a vote, farmer-shareholders of the Alliance Group in New Zealand have had a majority vote in favour of a strategic partnership with Dawn Meats

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Dairy cow waiting to be milked

Genetic gain in dairy cows has increased rapidly in recent years, report shows

The average EBI has increased by €188 in the last 20 years, with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation reporting this translates to an additional €376 per lactation for dairy farmers

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Precious produce

Tirlán and Dairygold apply the largest reductions to milk price

They cited a decline in butter and cheese prices as a major factor in the decreased September milk price

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Last straws after harvest and tractor plowing the stubble field

Why the carbon tax gives Irish grain a built-in higher cost base

The main changes which will affect farmers are the drop in the flat rate percentage from 5.1% to 4.5% for 2026. This is set to cost farmers €61m over a calendar year

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

Cattle up 53.8% in agricultural price index for August 2025

The latest Agricultural Price Index reports the biggest output price going to cattle and the highest input price being fertilisers in the 12 months to August 2025.

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Nitrogen Fertilizer

Department to probe 'out of tolerance' fertiliser tests

162 fertiliser samples had been taken. Of these, three (1.8%) have been provisionally found to be out of tolerance

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Nitrates, milk prices and TB top of the agenda at this year’s National Dairy Show

Nitrates, milk prices and TB top of the agenda at this year’s National Dairy Show

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has told dairy farmers that his government will continue to press the European Commission on the future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation as one of its “key priorities.

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Fighting 'Agri-bashing': Why direct storytelling is crucial for valuing farmers' wider contributions

Fighting 'Agri-bashing': Why direct storytelling is crucial for valuing farmers' wider contributions

The surprising ways Irish agriculture is using social media to show its value to society

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Tight supply keeps lamb returns steady around 780c/kg

Supply relative to demand at the processors remains tight, and those with larger numbers to offer are reported to be securing deals at the factories for a return of 785–790c/kg this week

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

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

Processors under pressure as finished cattle numbers fall 25%

Balancing supply and demand at the least cost, always a primary objective for the processors, is becoming the most challenging in years due to the fall-off in supply

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Shot of an unrecognisable woman using a digital tablet while working on a farm

New NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboards launched

Teagasc has launched their new NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboard along with the finalised publication of the 2024 National Farm Survey

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Budget 2026: Here's what's expected as talks set to go down to the wire

Budget 2026: Here's what's expected as talks set to go down to the wire

Paul Hosford and Louise Burne break down what we are likely to see on Tuesday across each of 12 government departments

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

Updated AgFood Portal unworkable, says IFA

Updated AgFood Portal unworkable, says IFA

IFA Rural Development Chair, John Curran, has called for a review of the updated Department of Agriculture AgFood Portal after influx of login complaints from farmers.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Watch: Young engineers launch solar-powered smart feeder to track cattle performance

Watch: Young engineers launch solar-powered smart feeder to track cattle performance

The feeder reads an animal’s ID tag to give each animal its allocated ration. Each time the animal steps into the feeder, it is weighed and the daily liveweight gain is recorded in software which the farmer can access from their phone

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Aerial view of a tractor in the moment of sowing

Soil fertility actions continue after fertiliser deadline

After the fertiliser deadline, potash can also still be spread

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Steady lamb prices with deals up to 800c/kg for regular suppliers

Expectations are that trade will remain stable in the immediate future

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

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

Weekly cattle intake tops 30,000 head for first time since April

Improved weather during the second half of September helped finishers hold on to stock, as better ground conditions meant the expected surge in factory supply did not materialise

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Stephen Cadogan: How artificial intelligence is even challenging the sheepdog

Stephen Cadogan: How artificial intelligence is even challenging the sheepdog

The robot moves easily among trees and obstacles in the pasture, detecting the poultry. It returns to a dedicated charging station and notifies the farmer of task completion or alerts them in case of any issues. It also deters wild predators.

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

MTU and UL host recycling-derived fertiliser workshops

MTU and UL host recycling-derived fertiliser workshops

In October an interactive workshop will be held to propose the use of recycling-derived fertilisers as a sustainable alternative for farmers.

Tue, 30 Sep, 2025

Hurricane struck electricity poles in Steinhatchee, North Florida. Fallen tree and damaged power lines knock down the grass. Fo

New emergency framework aims to strengthen Ireland’s storm preparedness

Framework to ensure the lessons learned in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn are put into effect

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Leading scientist from Denmark to feature as keynote speaker at Teagasc pig conference

Leading scientist from Denmark to feature as keynote speaker at Teagasc pig conference

Dr Vivi Aarestrup Moustsen's research has focused on the development of systems for loose-housed farrowing and lactating sows

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

Cork firm wins start-up of the year at Enterprise Ireland innovation competition

Cork firm wins start-up of the year at Enterprise Ireland innovation competition

AI-driven tools to inform decisions on farms, a solar-powered feeding machine, and low-emission manure management systems were among the cutting-edge solutions which took centre stage in this year’s final

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Precious produce

Farm organisations criticise 'wholly disproportionate' milk price cuts which will wipe €1,500 off cheques

The ICMSA said: 'We’d like to draw attention to the very obvious discrepancy that has the co-ops telling farmers that they’re ‘locked-in’ to forward prices when farmers point to a rising market, while often the very same co-ops seem to be able to opt out very easily of the ‘forward price straitjacket’ in a falling market.'

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

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

Pig prices fall by a further 8c/kg

Feed market dynamics are adding further pressure

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

A close-up of barley kernels, ready for malting and brewing

Barley growers warn of crisis as Boortmalt prices fall to five-year low

IFA grain chairman Kieran McEvoy said growers were 'desperately low in confidence' at the moment

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

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Kieran Coughlan

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