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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> IFA president Francie Gorman talking to farmers at the the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell during a protest in December. The IFA chief said yesterday that Irish MEPs should lobby against the deal in the European Parliament. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews</p>

news

Farmers stage mass protest in Midlands over EU Mercosur trade deal

Farmers from across Ireland are protesting the EU trade deal, warning it threatens livelihoods, food standards and market fairness

<p>Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) president Denis Drennan said: 'We have no way of ensuring that the beef that would be imported into the EU under the agreement would be of the same standards of traceability and environmentally sustainable production that the EU insists upon for its own farmers.' File photo</p>

farming

Farming organisations welcome Government decision to oppose Mercosur

<p>Irish Farmers’ Association president Francie Gorman said this confirmation of the banned hormones infiltrating the Irish food system should be a wake-up call for the Irish Government.</p>

farming

Brazilian beef containing banned hormones recalled in Ireland

ieExplains: What next as Mercosur deal is approved

farming

ieExplains: What next as Mercosur deal is approved

Micheal Martin visit to China

politics

Taoiseach moves on to Shanghai on China visit where the message is the same: Invest in Ireland

Hereford cattle

farming

CAP proposals risk hitting productive family farms, say processors

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Woman injecting semaglutide in her abdomen

Stephen Cadogan: A slimmer appetite but better food – the challenge for agri-food

The significant rise in the number of consumers using weight-loss drugs has implications for Ireland's food industry as users' appetites for previously loved foods changes

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Lighten up: New year, new you at the mart — our Denis's 10 tips for mart success in 2026

Lighten up: New year, new you at the mart — our Denis's 10 tips for mart success in 2026

Don't push the mart around, credit-wise or in any other way... the stick hasn't gone away, you know, and the mart still knows how to use it, writes Denis Lehane in a special New Year's mart report

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Irish MEP appointed to lead CAP role

Irish MEP appointed to lead CAP role

MEP Nina Carberry has been appointed to lead negotiations going forward on the future Common Agricultural Policy (2028-2034)

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Chicken with freshly laid eggs

IFA elects new chair of poultry committee

Brendan Soden from Co Cavan has been named the newly elected IFA poultry chair and will officially assume the role at the IFA's AGM next week.

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

MTU launches Ireland’s first pilot biorefinery in Kerry

MTU launches Ireland’s first pilot biorefinery in Kerry

The facility will develop technologies that convert the country’s grasslands into a range of products, including high-quality animal feeds, human-grade protein, prebiotics, flavours and bioenergy

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

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

Factories play ‘take it or leave it’ as cattle prices soften

Some of this week's kill was forward purchased last week at slightly higher prices, but the processors are reported to be 'tougher' this week about paying higher prices

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Sign on a field gate warning people not to enter farmland due to danger to life from livestock, and risk of bio-security breech.

Agriculture still the most dangerous sector, with 23 deaths last year

The Health and Safety Authority has published its provisional results reporting that in 2025, 23 deaths occurred in the agriculture sector, making it the most dangerous job sector in Ireland

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Mince and steaks from the butcher's store - English Market, Cork, Ireland

Vietnamese market now open to Irish beef exports

Irish beef and beef products have been approved to enter the Vietnamese market, where rising incomes and a growing middle class have increased demand for premium proteins

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

Two sheep standing in field at sunset with sea background and rolling hills

Loss of bluetongue-free status would hit livestock trade

In dairy cows, one of the key symptoms of bluetongue is a sudden drop in milk yield, while swelling of lips and tongue — particularly in sheep — are other obvious signs

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

Cows grazing in Ireland

Ireland tops EU table for share of land used for agriculture

However, the farming giants remain the two largest member states. France’s 27.4 million hectares make up 17.4% of the EU’s agricultural area, while Spain’s 23.9 million hectares account for 15.2%

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

A cows on a pasture on a summer. Livestock on free grazing. Livestock farm. Agricultural landscape, cow on green grass field.

Second Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy launched

With the emerging biosecurity threats on the island the Department of Agriculture has launched the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy (2025-2030) ahead of the new year

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Close-Up Of Text On Table

Kieran Coughlan: Are you ready for auto-enrolment? Key steps for agri-food employers

Auto-enrolment is a new scheme designed to ensure that most employees who do not currently have access to an employer pension scheme will be contributing toward their own personal pension fund, writes rural tax adviser Kieran Coughlan

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Sheep pen

Sheep sector sees declining output and flat returns

Unlike cattle, the decline in production did not boost sheep prices in 2025

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Dairygold announce Munster finalists for malting barley programme

Dairygold announce Munster finalists for malting barley programme

The overall winner of the 2025 Dairygold Malting Barley Competition will be announced at the Annual Tillage Conference on January 9, 2026, at the Corrin Event Centre in Fermoy, Co Cork

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Sheep at a cattle market

Sheep slaughterings dropped by 18.5% between January and November

ICSA says factories dropping sheep prices are 'adding insult to injury'

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Animal Health Ireland recognised by the United Nations

Animal Health Ireland recognised by the United Nations

Animal Health Ireland has been recognised by the FAO for its technical excellence and innovation in sustainable livestock transformation and animal health.

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Cattle grazing on deforested pasture on a farm in the Amazon rainforest at dusk. Concept of agriculture, environment, ecology, l

Mercosur vote postponement welcome but Taoiseach's comments need clarification

IFA president Francie Gorman has called for clarification on the Taoiseach's comments regarding the securing of a derogation extension as a factor going into the Mercosur vote

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue vaccinations will be permitted in 2026

Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, has announced today that blue tongue vaccines will be permitted in Ireland in 2026 following a fourth confirmed outbreak in Northern Ireland

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Family-owned nursery in Wexford celebrates 30 years of going potty for poinsettia

Family-owned nursery in Wexford celebrates 30 years of going potty for poinsettia

Jim O’Connor has one key piece of advice: 'To keep your poinsettia alive and healthy, very importantly — don’t overwater it! That’s the quickest way to lose a poinsettia.'

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Rows of young plug plants growing in a field

Korean research team discovers new way to protect crops from the cold

A research team in Korea has discovered a method to allow crops to remain productive even in adverse or unpredictable weather conditions

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Animal Health Ireland announce the BVD action plan for 2026

Animal Health Ireland announce the BVD action plan for 2026

AHI also published an IFAC-led report that found the programme has a total economic benefit to Irish agriculture of €184.21m each year

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Veterinarian holds syringe with antibiotics

Ireland's new veterinary medicine rules to tackle antimicrobial and antiparasitic resistance

'There's a significant and rising threat to public and animal health and the environment in relation to antimicrobial resistance', Department of Agriculture vet says

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Four little pigs.

Drops in Chinese tariffs to benefit pigmeat sector

China will drop its 20% tariff on EU pigmeat products to 9.8%

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Fresh vegetables on shelf in supermarket

Additional powers for agri-food regulator announced

The Department of Agriculture has signed off on additional powers given to the agri-food regulator, which will come into effect in December 2026

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Female hands cutting a piece of ribs in a butchers shop

Beef prices face year-end pressure at factories

Some of this week's kill has been bought forward at last week's price, but the higher returns are largely unavailable.

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

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Kieran Coughlan

Kieran Coughlan

Farm Finance