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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>Vets are being encouraged to push for BTV vaccination.</p>

farming

Vets urge farmers to vaccinate herds against bluetongue as high-risk summer for spread of virus nears

Cork vet says 'general consensus' from vets across Ireland was to vaccinate herds

<p>The €100m fuel income support scheme is now open for applicants.</p>

farming

Fuel income support scheme now open for farmers, agricultural, and forestry contractors

<p>The processors are pointing to weak markets for beef and consumers opting for cheaper alternatives as the escalating fuel and energy costs squeeze on households in the current economic climate.</p>

farming

Beef finishers reel from mounting losses as factory prices hold steady

Munster’s largest agricultural show open for competition entries

farming

Munster’s largest agricultural show open for competition entries

An aerial view of the rural landscape around Dublin Airport , Ireland, showing a patchwork of green fields divided by hedgerows

farming

Monitoring system to be used for late meadow bonus payment under ACRES

Close up of calves on animal farm eating food. Meat industry concept.

farming

Department of Agriculture announces €37.5m funding for agri-food, forest and bioeconomy research

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Less silage, more grazing: Rethink is driving efficiency on Michael's Galway sheep farm

Less silage, more grazing: Rethink is driving efficiency on Michael's Galway sheep farm

'Grazed grass is by far the cheapest and best feed we have on our farm,' says Michael Forde

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Fertilizer agriculture

Teagasc reissue nutrient and fertiliser fact sheets

The fact sheets cover soil testing, lime application, organic manures, clover, Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) fertiliser advice and protected urea

Mon, 04 May, 2026

Grass and daisy covered rural lane, lined on either side by hedgerows

More clarity needed on Nature Restoration regulations

Farming organisations have called for more clarity on regulation funding and suggested that state bodies should lead by example ahead of private landowners

Mon, 04 May, 2026

Farm plastics group agrees to waste scheme changes

Farm plastics group agrees to waste scheme changes

The IFFPG, which operates the national farm plastics recycling scheme, has agreed to implement changes to improve transparency, promote competition and improve farmers' choice

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Cattle market

ICOS raises 'discriminatory' VAT anomaly affecting marts and farmers

The decision to cut the flat-rate farmers VAT top-up from 5.1% to 4.5% came into effect at the start of this year

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

Bluetongue outbreak

Case of bluetongue confirmed in Cork

Farmers were informed an unvaccinated cow in the Bandon area was confirmed to have bluetongue

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

landscape of ireland seen from the sky, wild nature

Deadlines approaching for BISS and ACRES applications

Both BISS and the Co-operation Approach of the ACRES applications have deadlines in May.

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Farmers warned about seasonal risk of bluetongue infection

BTV is spread via midges, and temperatures need to be greater than 12℃ for a sustained period for the virus to replicate within the midge and spread

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Tractor spraying pesticides on wheat field with sprayer

A total of 69 pesticide breaches in public water supplies recorded countrywide

There were 69 cases of pesticide levels exceeding statutory limits within drinking water regulations across 24 public water supplies in 2025

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Refuelling The Agricultural Tractor on His Farm

Application window for €100m fuel scheme supports will open in May

Farmers can apply for the fuel support scheme as early as next week, with payments currently scheduled to be distributed by the end of June

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

Cows Feeding

Finishers hit by losses as break-even beef price reaches €8.22/kg

The variable costs and the fixed costs associated with calf-to-beef systems, where the plan is to kill these animals at two years old, is currently around €1,400

Wed, 29 Apr, 2026

EU flag in front of Berlaymont building facade

CAP 'is collapsing under contradictions', says ICMSA

ICMSA says 'substantially reduced budget' contradicts commission's pledge to ensure sustainable future for EU agriculture

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Fuel and agriculture machines.

Ifac urges farmers to start preparing now for fuel support scheme

The measures include a new €100m Agricultural Fuel Subsidy Scheme, alongside temporary excise reductions and the deferral of the planned carbon tax increase

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Cattle carcass weights increasing in Newford demonstration farm, report finds

Cattle carcass weights increasing in Newford demonstration farm, report finds

Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm has credited steady carcass weight increases in its cattle thanks to genetic and grass management and overall efficiency

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

workplace food industry - factory butchery for the production of sausages - butcher cuts meat

Factory returns fall by up to €200/head since January

The beef price pattern year-to-date has shattered the predictions of a strong price being delivered on the back of tighter supply

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Spring lamb trade hits €10/kg as hogget doubts emerge

Hoggets continue to supply by far the greater share of factory requirements, which has sustained the price

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

A peasant when silage smells a handful of grass

Cutting corners on silage a false economy in high-cost year

Farmers might question whether to allow crops to bulk up to increase yield per acre, or to cut earlier and prioritise quality over tonnage. This is a critical decision point, writes Alltech Ireland's Thomas O'Sullivan

Tue, 28 Apr, 2026

Irish stakeholders invited to shape EU Parliament generational renewal report

Irish stakeholders invited to shape EU Parliament generational renewal report

MEP Maria Walsh calls for young farmers and representing organisations to have their say in EU Parliament report on generational renewal

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026

From calving to clover: a busy spring on Kay's organic suckler farm

From calving to clover: a busy spring on Kay's organic suckler farm

Calving has gone well so far on the farm, with just a few cows left to calve. All calves were weighed at birth, with an average weight of 45kg, with one calf from a first-calver weighing 63kg (sired by Tubridmore Twomey).

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Hoggets push towards €10/kg as supplies tighten

Some suppliers are attempting to negotiate an increase in the carcass cut-off weight of 21kg for new-season lambs

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Butcher meat cutter meat

Factories hold prices as finishers take hit on 2025 returns

Factory agents are reported to be 'a little more active' in some regions of the country, while their bosses at the processing plants are maintaining a very tight grip on any upward price movement

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Chaos in marts as ‘shambolic’ TB rules implemented

Chaos in marts as ‘shambolic’ TB rules implemented

Farming organisations say new TB Action Plan 'deeply confusing', leaving farmers and mart operators unclear on how to apply the rules

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

EU Flags Flying at the European Commission Building Brussels Belgium

Parliament backs €433bn CAP envelope in budget vote

European Parliament has voted in favour of ringfencing a minimum of €433bn for agriculture in the 2028-34 EU budget

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

Agricultural input price index rose 0.5% in month to February

Following the latest report by the Central Statistics Office, the agricultural input price index has risen by 0.5% in one month

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Agriculture - Combine Harvester

Making better silage in a difficult year: Key steps for 2026

Just as we turned a corner with weather in early March, we were faced with another challenge — the Iranian crisis led to agricultural diesel price surges of up to 48%, writes Alltech Ireland's Farm Resource Efficiency manager Declan O Neil

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

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