The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is continuing to carry out epidemiological investigations and surveillance following confirmation of an outbreak of bluetongue in Co. Wexford.

According to DAFM the case was detected in a cow which had no clinical symptoms.

But what what might confirmation of the first case mean for Ireland?

In this episode of AgriFocus Stella Meehan is joined by the deputy chief veterinary officer at DAFM, Dr. Eoin Ryan to explain why bluetongue is in Ireland and how it spreads.

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.

Tens of thousands of Irish farmers showed their strong opposition to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement at a major protest in Athlone, Co. Westmeath but the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, is still preparing to travel to South America on Saturday (January 17) to sign the trade deal.

But once the deal is officially signed what will this really mean for Ireland?

In this episode of AgriFocus Francess McDonnell is joined by Thijs Geijer, a senior sector economist at the Dutch banking group ING who specialises in the food and agriculture sector. 

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.

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.