#Farming - Beef and Sheep

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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>Cattle spend up to 150 days eating silage each year on Irish beef and dairy farms, and if it is poor quality, the animal performance will either be poor or expensive.</p>

farming

Brian Reidy: Feeding and management of livestock once indoors

2025 silages are a mixed bag, like any other year, writes independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy

<p>Macra president Josephine O’Neill told the IFA meeting in Corrin Mart in Fermoy that failing to renew derogation for farmers will force land prices up. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke</p>

farming

Losing derogation will be catastrophic, IFA meeting told

<p>Base quotes for steers purchased on the grid range from 750–760c/kg.</p>

farming

Beef processors tighten control on price rises

No deal yet when it comes to derogation - Heydon

farming

No deal yet when it comes to derogation - Heydon

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

farming

Herd Tasks: Your weekly farming checklist

The meat processing plant. carcasses of beef hang on hooks.

farming

Tight cattle supplies drives factory competition

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Fluffy Woolly Sheep

Bank holiday slows lamb sales but demand holds steady

There is still demand for lambs at the plants at the lower prices, and demand held steady for all lots at the live sales at the marts on Monday

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

How a team from Galway aims to promote Irish Angus beef perceptions

How a team from Galway aims to promote Irish Angus beef perceptions

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, we meet the fifth team in the finals, students from Coláiste Mhuire in Ballygar

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

Tipperary woman appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager

Tipperary woman appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager

Sinéad Kennedy from Cahir has been appointed as Bord Bia's new China manager, advocating for Irish food and drink there

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Roast Leg of Lamb

Irish lamb launched into US market at New York event

Irish lamb was served for the first time this month in the US following Ireland's granted access to export lamb into the US in 2022

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Brian Reidy: Beef performance targets this winter after some good grazing

Brian Reidy: Beef performance targets this winter after some good grazing

Plenty of grass remains on many farms and utilisation has been excellent, thankfully

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Cattle Market

Beef Report: Prices have lifted by up to 10 cents/kg across the main categories this week

Supply is down by 150,000 this year

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Corral of Grass fed beef cattle steers at the markets for sale

New Zealand farmer-shareholders in favour of Dawn Meats partnership

Following a vote, farmer-shareholders of the Alliance Group in New Zealand have had a majority vote in favour of a strategic partnership with Dawn Meats

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Male farmer with short brown hair,walking in the direction to his tractor,standing next to his agricultural field in the evening

Sowing mental wellbeing in farming

UCD’s Agri Mental Health Group hopes to put farmers' mental health to the forefront of the conversation, working on driving research and awareness

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Tipperary's Newport College team encouraging farmers to embrace sustainable tech

Tipperary's Newport College team encouraging farmers to embrace sustainable tech

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, meet the fourth team in the finals, students from Newport College

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

Cattle up 53.8% in agricultural price index for August 2025

The latest Agricultural Price Index reports the biggest output price going to cattle and the highest input price being fertilisers in the 12 months to August 2025.

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Wexford students look to make Irish beef a global leader

Wexford students look to make Irish beef a global leader

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, meet the third team in the finals, students from FCJ Bunclody

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Side view of young vet clinician in labcoat touching nose of purebred dairy cow

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, 13 Oct, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Tight supply keeps lamb returns steady around 780c/kg

Supply relative to demand at the processors remains tight, and those with larger numbers to offer are reported to be securing deals at the factories for a return of 785–790c/kg this week

Wed, 08 Oct, 2025

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

Processors under pressure as finished cattle numbers fall 25%

Balancing supply and demand at the least cost, always a primary objective for the processors, is becoming the most challenging in years due to the fall-off in supply

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Shot of an unrecognisable woman using a digital tablet while working on a farm

New NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboards launched

Teagasc has launched their new NFS Farm Enterprise Data Dashboard along with the finalised publication of the 2024 National Farm Survey

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Offaly students reach finals of Certified Irish Angus School Competition

Offaly students reach finals of Certified Irish Angus School Competition

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, meet the second team in the finals, St Brendan's Community School

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

Signpost: Tomas prepares his ewes, rams and replacements for the busy breeding season

Signpost: Tomas prepares his ewes, rams and replacements for the busy breeding season

I have been busy on the farm over the last number of weeks with certain tasks that have to be prioritised. In the past while, I have dipped all the sheep on the farm. I have also been checking the lowland and hill flock ewes for body condition.

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025

Herding Sheep

More support needed to halt sheep sector decline

The sheep sector continues to decline, with the IFA Sheep Chair calling for more support to farmers provided by the Government.

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

A cows on a pasture on a summer. Livestock on free grazing. Livestock farm. Agricultural landscape, cow on green grass field.

Total cattle numbers at an almost 12-year low

According to a provisional report by the CSO, the total number of cattle in Ireland is at a 12-year low, with farming organisations citing several factors

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Herding Sheep

More support needed to halt sheep sector decline

The sheep sector continues to decline, with the IFA Sheep Chair calling for more support to farmers provided by the Government.

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Sheep in pens at Winslow Primestock Show, Buckinghamshire

Steady lamb prices with deals up to 800c/kg for regular suppliers

Expectations are that trade will remain stable in the immediate future

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue high-alert period coming to an end

Bluetongue virus still circulates widely in mainland Europe, reported for the first time this year in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

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

Weekly cattle intake tops 30,000 head for first time since April

Improved weather during the second half of September helped finishers hold on to stock, as better ground conditions meant the expected surge in factory supply did not materialise

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Alfalfa silage and thermometer

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, 29 Sep, 2025

Cork students make it to Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition finals

Cork students make it to Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition finals

Clonakilty's Sacred Heart Secondary School’s ‘Angus Advocates’ are finalists in the Certified Irish Angus Schools 2024 Competition finals.

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

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