Farming Analysis

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

farming

Karen Walsh: Collaborate to get ahead

How to mobilise resources into productive agriculture is a major challenge.

farming

Denis Lehane: Badly needed rest after the Ploughing

farming

Stephen Cadogan: Narrow weather window least of tillage sector problems

farming

Kieran Coughlan: Cure for pessimism is an optimistic plan

farming

Oliver Moore: Zach Wright’s course on enhancing soil

farming

Cormac MacConnell: 'Shamefully, I will be hoping and praying that Dublin triumph on Saturday'

Stephen Cadogan: Rural EU is big enough to need five support pillars

And now, the real work begins, said European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, after he hosted last week’s two-day conference in the Rochestown Hotel Cork.

Thu, 15 Sep, 2016

Risk management key to building your farm business for long-term viability

Farming has always been affected by issues such as unseasonal weather, disease and supply and demand balance, but the price volatility in recent years, both for inputs and outputs is unprecedented.

Mon, 12 Sep, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: How the odds are stacked against Irish beef farmers

Don’t expect changes in beef and lamb processing markets.

Thu, 08 Sep, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: It’s jobs away from the land that keep many farms going

The importance of the Government’s aim to increase sustainable employment across all sectors of the economy and in every town and village is self-evident.

Thu, 01 Sep, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: All change since EIF funding started for IFA in Brussels

The livestock levy dates from the 1970s, introduced to help carry the cost of the IFA’s Brussels office, seen then as a vital lobby for the Irish agri-food industry, following our accession to the EEC.

Thu, 25 Aug, 2016

Karen Walsh: The many legal ramifications of damage caused by your animals

If cattle are driven onto another property, the herdowner will be liable only if negligent.

Thu, 25 Aug, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: Challenging now for all farms but how do you compare?

Farmers look to the future rather than mulling over last years’ performance — which is why Teagasc’s mid-year Situation and Outlook report is often more important for farmers than the annual Teagasc National Farm Survey.

Thu, 25 Aug, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: The secret ingredient to Olympic success

None of you will be one bit surprised that I am about to exclusively reveal here in this special space exactly how our generally shocking show at the Olympics in Rio can be totally transformed for the next outing in Tokyo in four years time.

Thu, 25 Aug, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: First time buyers priced out in dysfunctional housing market

The tax strategy group has published a paper on taxation policy and housing.

Thu, 18 Aug, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: Major re-shaping of EU agriculture policy proposed

Will there be big changes in the next version of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), from 2020?

Thu, 18 Aug, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: Shane Ross will be struck down by Jonah gene

Best wishes for Greg Broderick, Ireland’s show jumping representative at the Rio Olympics, from Minister for Tourism Transport and Sport Shane Ross.

Thu, 18 Aug, 2016

Karen Walsh: Manufacturers and suppliers can be held liable for defects

Action for the recovery of damages can only be brought within three years.

Thu, 11 Aug, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: Farm-to-farm trading can underpin grain market

Buying wheat, barley or oats off the combine, and storing it with any of the available treatment methods, will provide livestock farmers with a high-energy, top quality feed for less than €190 per tonne.

Thu, 11 Aug, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: My farm has truly become the land of milk and honey

Last month I was presented with a gift from the gods. On a cold, windy, and wet morning, a prime swarm of honey bees took shelter at a gate post near our farm yard.

Thu, 11 Aug, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: Here’s hoping you’re all Owen Kelly today

Are ye all OK today, despite all the pressures being imposed by staying up half the night to watch the Olympics, and keeping up with all the rest of the home sport of every kind, on about every front?

Thu, 11 Aug, 2016

Karen Walsh: Incorporation: mostly pros, but some cons

If one is thinking of retirement soon, farm incorporation is not an option.

Thu, 04 Aug, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: Income deferral tool must be a Budget 2017 no-brainer

Maintaining the momentum of economic growth for social recovery has to be the target for Finance Minister Michael Noonan, as he prepares his Budget 2017.

Thu, 04 Aug, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: Farmers’ budget wish: Total income tax code revamp

The IFA has made its pre-budget submission. The core recommendations involve an extension of the “income averaging” rules for farmers.

Thu, 04 Aug, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: Fleadh’s old stagers have seen it all

The night started off as lively as usual, in the musical corner of Brogan’s popular old pub in the centre of Ennis, with Eoin O’Neill and his friends at the heart of the session, as always.

Thu, 04 Aug, 2016

Karen Walsh: Follow the rules if you want to raise the rent

New rent procedures came into effect on December 4, 2015, for private tenancies.

Thu, 28 Jul, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: If paying EU farmers to produce less succeeds...

As if the Brexit threat to our food industry wasn’t bad enough, the EU will soon start paying farmers to produce less.

Thu, 28 Jul, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: Tax strategy group’s ideas for pre-budget discussion

Ireland’s tax strategy group is tasked with reviewing our taxation system and presenting options to the Government for policy initiatives to support government objectives.

Thu, 28 Jul, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: School’s out and it’s a sorry state of affairs

Aye it’s true enough. Our little country school down the road there is doomed.

Thu, 28 Jul, 2016

Karen Walsh: Fathers’ paid leave to care for mother and new baby

Research in the USA shows that men who take paid paternity leave are more likely to be involved with their children in the years to follow.

Thu, 21 Jul, 2016

Denis Lehane: The nightmare of cattle shooting

I had a terrible dream after coming home from the pub last Saturday night. 

Thu, 21 Jul, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: Another half billion euro attempt to solve dairy crisis

Only the outline of the EU’s latest €500m aid package, aimed mostly at dairy farmers, has been announced.

Thu, 21 Jul, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: LEADER 2014-2020 scheme (very) slowly takes shape

Ireland’s “LEADER” programme has been undergoing a revamp over the past year.

Thu, 21 Jul, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: Trucks are lethal in the wrong hands

A leading surgeon, with half the letters of the alphabet after his name, went into his operating theatre this very morning to go to work.

Thu, 21 Jul, 2016

Karen Walsh: Clarity for cohabitants in farming

High Court decision gives a clearer picture on rights of non-married farming couples.

Thu, 14 Jul, 2016

Denis Lehane: Take care, there’s a new sheriff in town

If there is one thing I am noted for in farming, it’s for the purchase of new or nearly new machinery. 

Thu, 14 Jul, 2016

Stephan Cadogan: Farm safety major priority as fatalities and accidents persist

The deceased was found… are the chilling words found not once but seven times in the latest press release from the Health and Safety Authority.

Thu, 14 Jul, 2016

Kieran Coughan: All change for FoodWise 2025 as Brexit changes parameters

The second annual National Economic Dialogue took place a few weeks ago in Dublin Castle.

Thu, 14 Jul, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: I’m investing in frogs’ legs, if I still have a job

I have very good news here today for all thinking farmers everywhere and, even though I may be cutting my own throat editorially by saying so, this good news contrasts sharply.

Thu, 14 Jul, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: Phil Hogan’s new dairy aid package unlikely to satisfy all

On July 18, European commissioner for agriculture and rural development Phil Hogan will present a new EU dairy support package to the council of agriculture ministers.

Thu, 07 Jul, 2016

Karen Walsh: Partnerships can work even better when transfer version is introduced

Farmer collaboration has existed in Ireland for generations, such as the annual harvest threshing.

Thu, 07 Jul, 2016

Denis Lehane: At last, cows that pass golden urine

At a time when good news in farming is about as scarce as loose change in my pocket, today I bring you fantastic news.

Thu, 07 Jul, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: Birthday words of wisdom to Orla (11)

Dear Orla MacConnell (11),

Thu, 07 Jul, 2016

Karen Walsh: Even those with Princely wealth may postpone making a will

The untimely death of music star Prince recently hit headlines all over the world. The music star died intestate, that is, he left no valid will.

Thu, 30 Jun, 2016

Denis Lehane: Machinery addict’s latest speed fix

If there is one thing I am noted for in farming, it’s for the purchase of new or nearly new machinery.

Thu, 30 Jun, 2016

Stephen Cadogan: Fear and loathing in the EU: Ireland should stand with UK

The EU’s bad reaction to Brexit may backfire on Ireland.

Thu, 30 Jun, 2016

Joe Sheehy: Extra feed pays for itself and fits into silage plans

A lot of silage was fed in March and April, leaving very little reserves on most farms.

Thu, 30 Jun, 2016

Kieran Coughlan: Rocky Brexit road for Irish farmers

Where were you June 24?

Thu, 30 Jun, 2016

Cormac MacConnell: Hands off in the Ballroom of Nodance

I met a man this week in Galway City who was a close friend in summers way back then, when we were all young and free and footloose, and happy as the fabled Larry.

Thu, 30 Jun, 2016

Four chances in five that things will get better for farmers after Brexit vote

According to bookmakers, there is only one chance in four that the UK will vote today in favour of leaving the EU (in other words, you can get a 300% return by betting on Brexit).

Thu, 23 Jun, 2016