The sale of Peter Kingston’s Cradenhill herd of 1,000 cattle and the ongoing sale by tender of his 180-acre farm serve as a stark reminder of the rural impact of a setback in the agricultural economy.

A TD has called on banks and the Cork County Sheriff to give the farming family at the centre of a forced cattle sale process time to save their livelihood.

The 1,000 cattle belonging to a Co Cork farmer which were auctioned earlier this week will have to be resold after the sales agent last night disclosed that the two successful bidders had failed to pay for their purchases.

A farmer in Co Cork has said the auction of his herd of cattle yesterday was like seeing "your life burnt in front of you" and fears his son will move to New Zealand instead of staying at the farm.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

A farmer broke down as he tried to explain the emotional effects of seeing his 1,000 cattle sold off.

Supplies of A2 milk in Britain will earn a premium of 2.5p over the standard farm gate milk price which is currently at 28.43p per litre.

DOES the disposal of the milking herd at Rockrohan, Carrigrohane Co Cork presage the sale of the 285-acre farm?

EARLY season showing form was maintained at the 63rd Belgooly Show where familiar winners from earlier competitions came out on top again.

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD won the Maverick All-Ireland junior pedigree cow class at Charleville Agricultural Show for father and son exhibitors John and Gary Hurley, Clonpaddin, Arklow, Co Wicklow.

CO CORK dairy breeder Peter Kingston will take on all-comers at the 5th European Holstein Show this weekend with his Quintana Melissa Grand, the February 2004 European champion at the Agribex Show in Brussels, having won the Irish Examiner Farming Supreme Championship at Millstreet a few months previously.

WITH nine permanent TSB Cork County IHC games down for decision, five in the premier division, clubs were out in force over the weekend with all the games finishing with conclusive results.