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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>(Left to right): Tom Gorman, IFA president, Francie Gorman, Pat Bergin, Templetuohy Farm Machinery and IFA Laois chairperson Henry Burns collecting the tractor for the protest in Brussels. Photo: Finbarr O’Rourke </p>

farming

IFA president and son set off by tractor to Brussels for protest

IFA president, Francie Gorman and his son Tom set off this morning on a pilgrimage to Brussels to join a farmer protest on Thursday to coincide with an EU Council meeting.

<p>The AHI and the AHWNI want to increase awareness of the highly contagious viral disease as it weakens animals’ immune systems, causing reproductive losses and long-term herd health problems that can quickly spread. File photo</p>

farming

Animal health organisations launch cross-border BVD awareness campaign

Brian Reidy: Dry cow diets — a steady transition into the next lactation

Signpost: The organic beef farm performing better than many conventional suckler herds

farming

Signpost: The organic beef farm performing better than many conventional suckler herds

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

farming

Processors slash quotes to a seasonal low, with reductions of 10c to 20c/kg

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

farming

Key updates for ACRES participants revealed

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Cows in a farm. Dairy cows

Bluetongue: 44 further suspected cases in Co Down

A further 44 cattle are suspected to have Bluetongue, the preliminary results of testing carried out by DAERA on a Co Down herd have revealed.

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Group of beef cattle looking at the camera

Strong rebound in 2025 farm incomes driven by beef and weather

Average Irish farm income rose 33% to almost €49,400 in 2025, new report finds

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

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

Banned hormones detected in imported beef from Brazil

Hormones banned for use in the EU have been confirmed in a Brazilian beef shipment, which has subsequently been recalled

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Mourne Mountains wildfire

Bluetongue latest: 20 large herds to be tested for disease

The North's Department of Agriculture (DAERA) is to begin work testing 20 large herds within the 20km Bluetongue temporary control zone to determine the level of the disease within the region.

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Ireland continues talks to oppose Mercosur

Ireland continues talks to oppose Mercosur

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and agriculture minister Martin Heydon stressed talks were still ongoing with EU member states on the looming Mercosur deal

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

Southern hemisphere beef exports trim Irish share of UK market

There is scope for more imports of Australian beef, because only 30% of the total 2025 beef quota in the Australian–UK Free Trade Agreement had been used, up to November 10

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Meat industry slaughterhouse and food processing

Why beef prices are not falling anytime soon

Looking beyond 2026, Rupert Claxton, meat and livestock director at consultancy GIRA, said he believed beef prices should stay strong

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Live lamb trade heats up with €6-10/head lift in mart prices

Smaller entries at the live sales at the marts for the early days this week contributed to full clearances, with strong demand and prices improved by €6–10/head on last week

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

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

Hopes of pre-Christmas beef price rise fade with talk of 10c/kg cuts

There are fewer options for deals on flat pricing, with more insistence by the factories on grid-only terms for both steers and heifers, writes Martin Ryan

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Stretching the grazing season: How Tomás is cutting winter costs

Stretching the grazing season: How Tomás is cutting winter costs

Normally, Tomás would house his lowland ewes in early December. However, this year he wants to keep them out for as long as possible

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Fatmilking of cow utter before milking

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, 02 Dec, 2025

Detail of cow muzzle.

ieExplains: What is bluetongue and should farmers be worried?

Bluetongue is a viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats deer, llamas and alpacas.

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

a close up of an animal against blurred background

Bluetongue suspected in Northern Ireland

Results from DAERA's active surveillance for Bluetongue have indicated the presence of the disease in two cows.

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025

Farmers facing higher costs with new antiparasitic rules, says ICSA

Farmers facing higher costs with new antiparasitic rules, says ICSA

The ICSA have warned that farmers are already seeing antiparasitics increase in prices with the looming rule change in December

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Animal Health Ireland announce details of next series of CalfCare Roadshow

Animal Health Ireland announce details of next series of CalfCare Roadshow

The roadshows will run from December 8, 2025, to January 22, 2026

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Ireland flag on bar chart concept with increasing values, economic recovery and business improving after crisis and other catast

Irish agri-food exports increase in value by 65% in a decade

Irish agri-food exports reach over 190 markets worldwide and account for 8.6% of Irish goods exported

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

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

Young bulls maintain premium as processors resist price rises

It is difficult to get above 740c/kg this week, with the processors showing clearly that they want most stock on the grid and resisting lots being offered on a flat price basis

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Sheep pen

Factory-ready lambs scarce but processors hold the line on price

The number of factory-ready lambs has tightened, putting some pressure on the processors to source sufficient, but all the indications are that price increases are also conceded

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

The department must honour full payment for all weighed calves, says ICSA

The department must honour full payment for all weighed calves, says ICSA

ICSA have condemned the department's decision to now only pay for 31 calves on the NDBWS scheme and not the original 50 calves promised to farmers

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Meat industry,meats hanging in the cold store. Cattles cut and hanged on hook in a slaughterhouse. Halal cutting.

Factories' ‘scaremongering’ tactics deserves ‘all guns blazing’ rebuff by farmers, says ICMSA

The ICMSA have called on farmers to 'call their bluff' when it comes to factories utilising 'scaremonger' tactics in an effort to control the live and slaughter trade

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

feedlot intensive production system beef cattle

Government still falling short on blocking Mercosur

ICSA said they are 'deeply disappointed' with the Irish Government's lack of action on opposing the Mercosur trade deal

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Rows of young plug plants growing in a field

Organic farming scheme now open for applications

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said funding of €58.6m was allocated in the budget to support organic farmers

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Minister Noel Grealish promotes Irish agri-food in Mexico

Minister Noel Grealish promotes Irish agri-food in Mexico

Mr Grealish travelled to Mexico this week in light of the pending free trade agreement between Mexico and the EU, and to promote Irish agri-food

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Ireland flag on bar chart concept with decreasing values, concept of economic crisis, politics conflicts, war concept with flag

Milk and crop prices have dropped by more than 11% in the past year, CSO reports

Both milk and crop prices have seen significant drops of over 11% in the Agricultural Output Price Index for September 2025, published by the CSO

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Agriculture and Dairy Cows

Stock keepers urged to review dosing plans as hoose risk increases

When choosing products, it’s essential to check the label and determine the life stage the flukicide targets

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

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