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FARMING - BEEF & SHEEP

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

<p> Making better-quality silage will help to reduce your overall production costs while animals are housed.</p>

farming

Brian Reidy: Planning for high-quality silage

Cutting better-quality silage earlier will always result in improved animal performance, with less dependence on purchased concentrates, which will undoubtedly be critical next winter, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

<p>The main causes of death from farm vehicles are being crushed, struck, pinned under or falling from a vehicle.</p>

farming

Vehicle incidents caused 73 farm deaths in the past decade

<p>Meat, particularly beef, is very much at the centre of Expoagro, South America’s largest agricultural show, with many stands hosting their own parrilla — a traditional Argentine barbecue.</p>

farming

Argentina beef sector eyes growth boost from EU-Mercosur deal and rising global demand

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

farming

EU study highlights the need for protected incomes for farmers

Teagasc launches Blackwater Catchment Action Plan

farming

Teagasc launches Blackwater Catchment Action Plan

Brian Reidy: Optimising profit from winter-fed stock

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Cattle feeding indoors in winter

Factory price cuts deepen finisher losses in 2026 Irish beef market

Factory quotes for steers, heifers and cows have all been reduced by a further 10 c/kg for the fourth consecutive week of falling prices, with the processors laying the blame on weaker markets for Irish beef

Wed, 18 Mar, 2026

Fuel prices

Macra raises concerns about impact of rising energy costs on young farmers

Macra na Feirme calls for the Government to step in and alleviate the pinch young people of rural Ireland are experiencing, with higher energy and fuel costs

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Beef HealthCheck celebrates 10 years

Beef HealthCheck celebrates 10 years

The Animal Health Ireland Beef HealthCheck programme has assessed over 7.7 million animals in the last decade

Tue, 17 Mar, 2026

Precious produce

Milk experienced over 27% drop in output price in 12 months, CSO says

The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) report also shows fertiliser input prices rising by 11.6%

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Department announces updated values in BVD support programme

Department announces updated values in BVD support programme

Despite the department's increase in financial supports for BVD-positive calves in 2025 the ICMSA have said it is not in line with the value of calves born in 2025

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

'Utter confusion' among farmers on new bovine TB rules, say ICMSA

'Utter confusion' among farmers on new bovine TB rules, say ICMSA

The ICMSA have called for more communication to clear confusion of bTB rules and the department have said a communication campaign will begin March 30 on the matter

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

landscape of ireland seen from the sky, wild nature

Munster land prices soften in 2025 compared to rest of the country

Munster land prices dropped by 6.2%, the only region in the country to experience a dip in land values

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Cattle Market

Finishers getting badly crushed by shrinking margins

Some suppliers in the north-west of the country are reporting 5-10c/kg more in deals after hard selling, but the rest of the country its more or less a 'take it or leave it' on the quoted base

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

At the Market

Cattle prices drive 29% increase in agricultural operating surplus

Milk also saw a 10% increase in milk value, with the CSO citing the higher volumes, an increase of 7%, as the main driver

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue confirmed in various herds in southern and eastern areas

Since the first confirmed case of BTV-3, a further 10 herds have been identified to contain the virus, with two resulting in abortions in cattle

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

The grass on the field

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

Your weekly reminder of the things that should be at the top of your farm to-do list. Published every Monday on the Irish Examiner digital Farming hub

Mon, 09 Mar, 2026

Beef Cows and Bulls grazing on grass

Brian Reidy: Planning for turnout — don't give up hope just yet

This year, there is added pressure to get stock out as there has been no opportunity to spread slurry since the opening of the spreading window, warns ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Sun, 08 Mar, 2026

Clonakilty team win 2026 Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition

Clonakilty team win 2026 Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition

The all-woman team from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co Cork, consisting of Lucy Kirby, Ciara O’Driscoll, Niamh O’Sullivan and Ellen O’Neill, took home first prize.

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Cattle Market

Mart boards to display Commercial Beef Values for all genotyped animals

ICBF say Commercial Beef Values will be shown for all genotyped animals with a verified sire, even if the seller is not a HerdPlus member

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Burren farms adapting to virtual fences and solar-powered collars

Burren farms adapting to virtual fences and solar-powered collars

Solar-powered GPS collars aiding farmers with virtual fencing are innovating farms in the Burren, enabling herd management even in difficult-to-access areas

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

Bluetongue outbreak

Animal trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland to recommence

Since Ireland confirmed its first Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 in January, only movements of cattle and sheep direct to slaughter have been allowed

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

With rubber boots through the mud.

Over 80% of Irish farms were unable to get cattle out to grass in February

According to a recent FRS Co-Op said this issue has led to farmers working longer hours to manage their cattle

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

After the occupation: what Bord Bia must learn from its worst governance crisis

After the occupation: what Bord Bia must learn from its worst governance crisis

Language and optics were key accelerants on the Bord Bia fire, with protests escalating each time farmers felt their concerns had been mocked or ignored.

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Certified Irish Angus Group, ABP and Kepak announce new bonuses

Certified Irish Angus Group, ABP and Kepak announce new bonuses

Members can now avail of a €0.10/kg standard bonus, a €0.05/kg genetics bonus, and a €0.05/kg sustainability bonus for Angus animals that meet set criteria

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Sheep pen

Hogget prices jump 20c/kg as Ramadan demand kicks in

Suppliers describe 'more of a bite' in factory demand — a welcome change

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Ireland set to host landmark agri-summit on global food security

Ireland set to host landmark agri-summit on global food security

The Nuffield Agri-Summit 'Feed the World – Our Responsibility?' in May of this year aims to address urgent and complex pressures facing global food systems

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

landscape of ireland seen from the sky, wild nature

ACRES assessment to continue using satellites

The department have said they will continue to utilise satellite data to asses Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) participants and monitor whether actions are being carried out in accordance to requirements

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

She means business: The women claiming their space in Irish agriculture

She means business: The women claiming their space in Irish agriculture

To celebrate International Women's Day, Zoe Geary spoke with three inspiring women in the agri-sector: Aileen Sheehan, Sophie Bell and Dr Edna Curley

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

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

Beef price drops below €7/kg as processors tighten grip

It is the first time since mid-March 2025 for this price level, despite supplies to processing plants running below the same period last year

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Suckler open day planned for April on Roscommon farm

Suckler open day planned for April on Roscommon farm

The Newford suckler farm in Roscommon is a joint partnership between Teagasc, Dawn Meats and McDonalds

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

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