The deadline for the use of chemical and organic fertilisers by farmers has been extended.

When Patrick O’Sullivan suffered crush injuries in a farm accident his eight-year-old grandson, Jack, made him a solemn promise.

The high optimism levels revealed in the annual Irish Examiner ICMSA farming poll are remarkable, for a sector which provides so many of its members with such low incomes.

Digging your own potatoes and serving up “balls of flour’’ on the kitchen table, an hour later, is a special kind of experience that’s becoming all too rare in Ireland, with the one-time staple food being gradually forsaken in recent years, writes Donal Hickey. 

The winning exhibitors in the main championships at the 2017 Tullamore Show & AIB National Livestock Show were as follows.

THE beef and livestock sector is the very heartbeat of rural Ireland and must be defended and secured in the face of major challenges.

Ireland’s largest one-day agricultural event, the Tullamore Show, is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors to Co Offaly this weekend.

Today, July 28

Friday, July 22

A renewed confidence in the beef sector is evident in livestock marts and in the prices farmers are getting for finished animals in the factories. That’s the latest analysis of Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, who said he was very pleased to see the upturn in beef market conditions this year.

Some of the finest cattle in Europe will be on view at the country’s biggest one-day agricultural show, the Tullamore Show, on Sunday.

Ireland's biggest one-day agricultural event takes place in Co Offaly today.

More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the Tullamore Show on Aug 11.

More than 60,000 people are expected to visit the 10,000 exhibitors competing at this year’s Tullamore Show & AIB National Livestock Show in Co Offaly.

The crush-chute gate is a newly available device attached to the sides of a crush, which opens as cattle, sheep or horses pass through, and then closes behind them.

The Teagasc forestry development department offered some useful advice to farmers at the Tullamore Show.

The improved weather forecast for the next few days at least offers some respite to farmers — and to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Farmers have warned their average income will fall by at least 30% this year due to the combined effect of bad weather and budgetary cutbacks in farm support schemes.

The weather wasn’t quite stable but it took more than the threat of biblical-style floods to deter Ireland’s equestrian community who braved tumultuous downpours to attend the opening day of the 139th Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in Ballsbridge.

They look lovely and last so long — well looked after dairy show cows come up shining year after year, with top winners from 2010 taking the red rosettes again last Sunday at Tullamore Show.