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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>Prices have been reduced by 10–20c/kg, to the grave disappointment of suppliers, and the pressure has extended to live sales at marts, with prices back by up to €12hd at sales early this week.</p>

farming

Hogget prices cut again as pressure mounts on sheep sector

Most factories are quoting 750c/kg for hoggets this week, with the quality assurance bonus adding 10–20c/kg as applicable at individual factories

<p>It is generally agreed that there is a little more on price being conceded by processors this week to secure stock, which is very welcome among suppliers and has opened the opportunity for more hard selling to achieve an extra return. File photo</p>

farming

More life in cattle trade, but processors remain cautious

<p>Tractor convoy as part of the IFA protest outside the Bord Bia Dublin offices. Photo: Finbarr O'Rourke</p>

farming

Macra calls for Heydon to intervene and protect Ireland’s food reputation

Confident in Her Line of Work

farming

Calls for entries for the International Year of the Woman Farmer ambassador

Farmers protest outside the Dáil as Bord Bia chair defends his position

farming

Farmers protest outside the Dáil as Bord Bia chair defends his position

Burren farm blending tradition and a modern vision has plans to develop

farming

Burren farm blending tradition and a modern vision has plans to develop

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Increased pre-movement tests form part of TB plan

Increased pre-movement tests form part of TB plan

Also part of the plan to help herds remain free of TB are simple, low-cost biosecurity measures

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Protests continue at Bord Bia over chairman's Brazilian beef imports

Protests continue at Bord Bia over chairman's Brazilian beef imports

Protests have escalated in Dublin as farmers gain access and occupy the Bord Bia HQ in Dublin.

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Further factory cuts deepen pressure on hogget prices

Waning confidence in the sector has been further undermined by another reduction of 10c/kg for hoggets at processing plants

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

Agri Aware’s farm Walk & Talk returns with additional dates

Agri Aware’s farm Walk & Talk returns with additional dates

Agri Aware have announced extra dates to their Walk & Talk series, hosting secondary school students studying agricultural science on farms over the coming weeks

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

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

Limited extras offered as beef processors maintain price control

There is no indication tighter supplies relative to previous years’ intake, or ongoing producer demands for higher returns, are likely to have any major influence on prices in the short term

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

A farmer holding a handful of freshly cut silage, showing the texture and quality of the forage used for livestock feed. Capture

Brian Reidy: Why dry matter intake is key to early lactation performance

Maintaining fresh-cow dry matter intake is one of the secrets to keeping cows healthy and productive throughout lactation, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

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

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

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

Teagasc hosts ‘Meat Matters’ food innovation event

Teagasc hosts ‘Meat Matters’ food innovation event

Industry leaders recently attended the Teagasc 'Meat Matters' event as part of the Food Innovation Gateways initiative to explore innovation and opportunities for fresh meat

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

AHI urges farmers to act fast on BVD this spring

AHI urges farmers to act fast on BVD this spring

'Tag. Bag. Test. Remove' has become Animal Health Ireland's motto this spring to move Ireland towards bovine viral diarrhoea eradication

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

Herding the Sheep

Celebrating women driving progress across Irish agriculture

Tickets now available for the third annual International Women's Day lunch hosted by Macra and the Agricultural Science Association

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin has Heydon’s 'full confidence' after Brazilian beef import

Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin has Heydon’s 'full confidence' after Brazilian beef import

Farming organisations have called for Mr Murrin's resignation following the revelation his company Dawn Foods had imported and utilised Brazilian beef

Thu, 29 Jan, 2026

Hereford cattle

China suspends beef exports from Ireland following bluetongue outbreak

Under the protocol governing the beef trade between Ireland and China, the Irish Government is required to notify the authorities in China of an outbreak of certain notifiable diseases, including bluetongue

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

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

More 'life' in cattle trade, but processors remain cautious

Suppliers are reporting there is an extra 5–10c/kg being paid for both categories in deals with processors to secure more stock, writes Martin Ryan

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

Sheep pen

Sheep trade under strain as factories reduce hogget prices

Prices have been reduced by 10–20c/kg, to the grave disappointment of suppliers, writes Martin Ryan

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

Baby calves in a barn

DairyBeef 500 conference to focus on calf sourcing, better genetics and health

The Teagasc DairyBeef Conference plans to outline important areas of dairy calf to beef production with presentations and a panel discussion.

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

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

Proposed changes to Eco Scheme a 'meaningless measure'

Farming organisations have pushed back against the proposed changes to the Eco Scheme, saying the removal of previously approved actions within the scheme 'dilute' farmers' efforts

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue outbreak confirmed in Wexford

Following a confirmed outbreak of bluetongue on a farm in Wexford, agriculture minister Martin Heydon reminds farmers vaccines for the virus are now available

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Beef Cattle Open Range on Large Ranch

Farmers can now change their SCEP yearly reference number for 2026

Any changes made to the 2026 yearly reference number, either increases or decreases, will have an associated impact on the requirements or actions to be carried out by the farmer and on the maximum payment that the participant will be eligible to draw down later in 2026

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

Retired man looking at cattle grazing in a field

Two in five farmers have no formal successor as ageing demographics fuel looming succession crisis

The newest Ifac Farm Report has revealed that two in five farmers have no formal successor despite the ageing population, succession planning proving to be a ongoing challenge

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

Macra demands immediate action on young farmer supports

Macra demands immediate action on young farmer supports

Macra president Josephine O'Neill said urgent action was required to support young farmers and warned delaying until CAP 2028 would be 'simply too late'

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

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

Mercosur to go before the European Court of Justice

The motion was passed today to put the Mercosur trade deal before the European Court of Justice, delaying the trade deal possibly by two years.

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Irish farmers join protests in Strasbourg to oppose Mercosur deal

Irish farmers join protests in Strasbourg to oppose Mercosur deal

Farming organisations marched in a protest this week in Strasbourg opposing the Mercosur trade deal, which will be put to a vote in the EU Parliament on Wednesday morning

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Female veterinarian at work

Wide variation among vets' decisions on calving management revealed

Survey of 64 Irish vets show they are up-to-date with current recommended best practices in calving management

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

livestock farm in bahia

Mercosur: The Brazilian perspective on the trade deal angering Irish farmers

EU-Mercosur FTA keeps a narrow window for meat as the agreement establishes limited quotas and multiple safeguards, writes Brazilian agricultural journalist Daniel Azevedo Duarte.

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

'You can understand farmers’ massive upset': Farmers’ anger over Mercosur justified, Heydon says

'You can understand farmers’ massive upset': Farmers’ anger over Mercosur justified, Heydon says

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said farmers were understandably frustrated at being asked to compete with imports that do not meet the same standards

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

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