Live from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEP Ciaran Mullooly speaks to AgriFocus about the momentum that is building this week in opposition to the EU Mercosur trade deal in its current form.

Over the past week Agriland reported on the news that there was a suspected bluetongue case reported on a farm near Bangor, Co. Down in Northern Ireland.

Results from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) active surveillance for bluetongue indicated the presence of the disease in two cows.

As a result they have activated stringent disease control measures including a 20km temporary control zone and restrictions on the movement of livestock.

In this episode of AgriFocus, Agriland editor Stella Meehan speaks to Dr. Gerald Barry, assistant professor of virology & deputy director of the One Health Centre at UCD

He explains how bluetongue is detected, the ways in which it spreads and why vaccines are not the ultimate panacea.

He has stressed that rapid robust surveillance now needs to be completed both north and south of the border.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In general most dairy farmers have had a relatively good year but since July there has been a downward trend in milk prices which has only accelerated in recent months.

Teagasc has forecast that 2025, on average, will likely be “the second most profitable year on Irish dairy farms after 2022”.

However as co-ops and processors have repeatedly highlighted since the summer months milk supply growth is outpacing demand which in turn is hammering commodity prices.

In this episode of AgriFocus Francess McDonnell chats to Tom Booijink, a senior dairy specialist with Rabobank, focused on Europe and Africa on what the outlook may be for Irish dairy farmers in 2026.

Tom has warned that it is likely that next year “will start with low milk prices” and it could be challenging to begin with.

But he believes demand for dairy remains good and “for the longer term” he is optimistic.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this episode of AgriFocus we are taking a closer look at the issue of rural crime – from trespassing to illegal hunting and theft and the impact it has on farm families.

We speak to one dairy farmer who has had a number of terrifying encounters with trespassers.

Limerick dairy farmer, Louise Crowley, who is the chair of the Limerick Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), tells us what it is like when you come face to face with unwanted and often threatening individuals in your own yard or in your fields.

We also hear from Barry Carey, who is the co-secretary of the National Rural Safety Forum and crime prevention office with the IFA about why farmers “feel under seige” in some parts of the country.

Finally we ask An Garda Siochana’s first ever Rural Crime Lead,  Super Intendent, Michael Corbett who is based in Fermoy in Co. Cork, what is being done to help people living in rural communities and on farms feel safer.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this special episode of AgriFocus, we are joined by Alison McHugh, EY Ireland tax partner and head of private client services, to take a look at everything effecting agriculture and rural life that was announced today in Budget 2026.

Go beyond the headlines with our new podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

On the latest episode of the AgriFocus podcast, in association with AXA Farm Insurance, Agriland technical beef journalist Breifne O’Brien speaks to Mark Waters of the ICBF about the National Genotyping Programme (NGP).

In the podcast, they discuss the benefits of both dairy and suckler farmers joining the NGP and what benefits it offers to farmers breeding cattle as well as farmers buying-in cattle.

The ICBF representative details the reduced cost of genotyping cattle through the NGP which is currently open for applications.

On the latest episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Agriland Editor Stella Meehan sits down with award-winning journalist, Michelle Michael to discuss 'World Without Cows' a documentary Michelle co-wrote and directed alongside Brandon Whitworth.

The documentary which was aired at Alltech Dunboyne starts an important conversation about the role cows play in our daily lives and in the world around us. It features interviews with farmers, ranchers, scientists, academics, advocates and other experts.

*This podcast is sponsored by AXA Farm Insurance.

On the latest episode of the AgriFocus podcast, brought to you by Agriland in association with Axa Insurance, Agriland editor Stella Meehan takes you behind the scenes of the latest agri-food trade mission to Japan.

Find out why Japan is such an important market for Ireland’s agri-food sector and discover how premium Irish produce is being showcased in this market.

Japan is the number two beef importer in the world and in recent years Irish beef tongue has surged in popularity, with restaurant chain Negishi selling beef tongue at 49 locations across Japan to 100,000 customers per week.

Joining Stella on the podcast is the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, Joe Burke, Beef and Livestock Sector manager with Bord Bia and  Meat Industry Ireland (MII) director Dale Crammond.

On the latest episode of the AgriFocus podcast, brought to you by Agriland in association with Axa Insurance, Agriland editor Stella Meehan chats to head of Crops Knowledge Transfer Department with Teagasc, Michael Hennessy.

They discuss how winter crops, as well as spring-sown cereals, are performing across the country.

Hennessy outlines the tasks growers should be undertaking in the coming days and weeks as growth progress is monitored and pests and diseases are controlled.