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FARMING - DAIRY SECTOR

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

<p>Domestic milk intake by milk processors and co-ops was estimated at 815.7 million litres in March 2026, a decrease of 6.1 million litres (0.7%) when compared with March 2025 but up 58.6 million litres (7.7%) when compared with the same month in 2024. File photo</p>

farming

Domestic milk intake up over 20 million litres in the first quarter of 2026

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) have reported an estimated total domestic milk intake of 1.33 billion litres within the first three months of the year

<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

<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

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

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

Carbery Group revenue increased by 8% in 2025

Carbery Group revenue increased by 8% in 2025

The group, headquartered in West Cork, reports revenue growth, continued investment in the business, and ongoing support for farmer shareholders

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

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

Farmers need an on-site consultant for new fertiliser rules, former Fianna Fáil TD says

Farmers need an on-site consultant for new fertiliser rules, former Fianna Fáil TD says

The chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture said something must change, so that on January 1 farmers will know exactly what they can do for that year

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

Waterford couple win Tirlán Milk Supplier of the Year award

Waterford couple win Tirlán Milk Supplier of the Year award

Shane and Kate Fitzgerald from Portlaw, Waterford, also received the Farming Ambassador Award

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

Tirlán sales up 10% as milk supply surges

Tirlán sales up 10% as milk supply surges

Co-op paid €1.8bn to farmer suppliers as it reports strong financial performance last year

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Fonterra Office in Auckland

Kiwi dairy farmers land €200,000 windfall after €2.7bn Fonterra payout

Each Fonterra farmer has been paid €325,000 on average by the co-op in April, consisting of the huge Mainland capital return, two dividends, and the regular monthly milk advance payment.

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Freshly processed milk

High TBC? Here’s how to track down the cause on your dairy farm

For many dairy farmers, TBC can be such a struggle to deal with, as any number of things can be behind the problem, writes independent farm adviser Brian Reidy

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

Grazing Cows

Teagasc director challenges Irish dairy to lead on water quality

Any farm you walk into in the morning will have at least one — if not two or three — issues to address, Teagasc's director of research has said

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Lakeland Dairies reports €1.93bn turnover in 2025

Lakeland Dairies reports €1.93bn turnover in 2025

Despite market volatility, Lakeland Dairies reported a turnover of €1.93bn in 2025, reflecting higher milk volumes, a balanced product mix and continued growth

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

With rubber boots through the mud.

Brian Reidy: Growth and weather need to pick up with grass growth below norms

As it does inevitably every year, growth will take off, and you need to identify when that occurs and act on it rapidly, and consider baling surplus grass as soon as possible, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

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