Irish cattle numbers slip, sheep numbers rise
The latest Irish census showed fewer cattle on the ground year-on-year in December, while breeding ewe numbers rose....

EU Sheep Forum Outcomes Welcomed
IRELAND - Irish Farmers Association (IFA) Sheep Chairman John Lynskey has welcomed the recommendations made by the EU Sheepmeat Forum for strong CAP support for sheep producers, including a proposal...

Beef and Sheep Sectors in Trouble, Irish Farmers Say
IRELAND - The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Patrick Kent has said a Teagasc report on the viability of Irish farms in 2015 shows just how serious the economic situation...

Retailers Asked to Return a Fair Share of Profits to Farmers
IRELAND - An Irish Farmers Association (IFA) lamb price survey of the five main supermarkets shows that retailers are charging consumers from €10 to €16/kg for the key lamb cuts, while the...

Brexit Will Have Negative Effects on Ireland's Agriculture Sector
IRELAND - Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Joe Healy has warned that a British exit from the EU would be very damaging for the farming and food sector in Ireland. ...

Irish Sheep Farmers Welcome Cash Boost
IRELAND - Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) sheep chairman John Brooks has welcomed news that funding of €25m has been proposed for the sheep sector in the new Programme for...

Irish Farmers to Meet Factories to Discuss Lamb Prices
IRELAND - Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) National Sheep Committee Chairman John Lynskey said IFA will meet Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the lamb processors this week on prices and the need...

Irish Farmers Pressure Factories Over Lamb Prices
IRELAND - Speaking at the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) AGM in Dublin this week, IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey said factories need to stabilise lamb prices to prevent any further...

Irish Sheep Farmers Face 'Confused Market Demand Signals'
IRELAND - The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) sheep chairman John Brooks has said that sheep farmers producing spring lamb are getting increasingly frustrated at the confused...

Irish Lamb Trade "Solid"
IRELAND - Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey has said the lamb trade remains solid with hoggets making €5.80/kg and top prices of €5.90/kg....

Irish Farmers Left Without Disposal Route for Dead Sheep
IRELAND - Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Animal Health Chairman Bert Stewart has strongly criticised the lack of action by the Department of Agriculture in providing a cost effective and competitive...

Irish Farmers Appeal to Dog Owners to Prevent Deadly Sheep Attacks
IRELAND - Following a horrific dog attack on sheep in County Carlow, IFA National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey has warned dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times as marauding...

Irish Farmers Aim for €20 per Ewe in Direct Support for Sheep Sector
IRELAND - At an Irish Farmers Association (IFA) briefing session with politicians in Dublin, IFA National Sheep Committee John Lynskey said IFA is seeking a targeted payment of €20 per ewe...

Ireland's Food and Drink Exports Continue to Grow
IRELAND - In 2015 it is estimated that the value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 3 per cent to exceed €10.8 billion for the first time....

Farmers Urged to Prioritise Safety in 2016
IRELAND - Irish research organisation Teagasc has warned farmers to to improve safety in the New Year, as the start of January brings increased risk....

2015 Irish Sheep, Goat Census Commences
IRELAND - Over 45,000 flock owners, registered as keepers of sheep and goats on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s database, will this week receive the Annual Sheep and Goat...

Most Nitrogen Lost from Grassland Not a Climate Concern
IRELAND - Newly published research into soil processes discovers that over half the nitrogen applied to grazed grassland soils in temperate regions was lost as environmentally benign di-nitrogen...

Sheep Sector Prospects Looking Up in 2016
IRELAND - Overall family farm incomes are down 9 per cent in 2015, according to analysis by economists from Teagasc in their annual review of the performance of the agriculture sector....

Irish Farmers Question Levy Burden
IRELAND - Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Patrick Kent has said that farmers can no longer carry the burden of levies deducted from livestock prices which are failing...

Sheep Fencing Included in Irish Farm Payments
IRELAND - Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) sheep chairman John Brooks has welcomed the inclusion of grant aid for sheep fencing in TAMS II, as was announced by Agriculture Minister...

We Need €20 Per Ewe Payment, Demand Irish Farmers
IRELAND – Higher levels of direct payments should be coupled to active sheep farmers, farm chiefs have told an agriculture committee this week....

Farm Minister Pressured into Sheep Industry Commitments
IRELAND – Sheep industry chiefs laid out priority policy moves for the sector to agriculture ministry Simon Coveney in an impromptu meeting at a ploughing match on Friday....

Irish Demand Government Money for Sheep Fencing
IRELAND – European Commission grant funding to modernise farms should be, in part, streamed to sheep farmers to help subsidise fencing....

Irish Farmers Clash with Minister Over Live Exports Statement
IRELAND – Irish sheep farmers “urgently need” to see progress on live export options, an Irish farming leader has said in reaction to latest ministry statements....

UK, Irish Lamb Market Stronger as Demand Improves
IRELAND - Irish Farmers Association (IFA) National Sheep Chairman John Lynskey has said the lamb trade is stronger, with tighter supplies and increased demand for Bastille Day and the end of...

New Strategy for the Irish Agri Food Sector to Improve Exports, Jobs
IRELAND - Plans for a new ten year strategy for the Irish agri food sector has been announced by government. The new ten year strategy, Food Wise 2025, projects exports to increase to €19...

Stop Lamb Price Cuts, Irish Factories Told
IRELAND – An Irish farmers’ group has called on lamb processors to stabilise the lamb market by stopping price cuts....

Irish Farmer Calls for Responsible Dog Ownership
IRELAND – A sheep industry leader has called for responsible dog ownership in light of the latest dog attack on sheep....

Irish Farmers Demand €20 Per Ewe Payments
IRELAND – Irish farmers are calling for direct government support payments of €20 per ewe and for a “more ambitious” approach to driving the Irish sheep sector forward. ...

Irish Beef, Sheep Incomes Still “Below Dole”
IRELAND – Ireland’s sheep and beef farmers are earning more now but would still be better off on benefits, says a farm spokesman reacting to an industry survey....