AgriFocus

In this episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Agriland’s Stella Meehan sits down with chairperson of Irish Forest Owners (IFO), Derek McCabe to discuss the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and the damage it caused to forestry across the country.

Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae has said that satellite data shows more than 23,000ha of forestry destroyed as a result of the hurricane force winds in January.

Now forest owners are under pressure to remove and harvest the fallen timber before it begins to rot and decay on the ground, losing value and worth as each day passes.

Agriland Editor Stella Meehan speaks to Bord Bia Beef Sector Manager, Mark Zieg.

We hear what lies ahead for the beef trade in Ireland in 2025 and beyond.

In this episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Breifne O’Brien chats to Sean Coughlan, CEO of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) about the move by a number of Irish cattle breed societies to vote ‘no confidence’ in the revised Euro-star evaluations.

Over the past two months, several of the Irish cattle breed societies have issued statements outlining they are to cease publishing ICBF Evaluations in their society sales catalogues.

The ICBF CEO confirmed that the economic values of the indices will be updated this summer and confirmed that Teagasc’s Dr. Paul Crosson is currently working on these updates.

Coughlan also discussed farmer issues relating to the star ratings of cows as well as the weightings of each trait in the composition of the overall figures.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-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.

In this episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Francess McDonnell chats to David Whelehan, agricultural technical consultant with Vogelsang Ireland and part time beef farmer in Co. Westmeath, about the “huge value” in organic fertilisers and how farmers can make the best use of slurry on their farms

Under the Nitrates Action Programme, Ireland is divided into three zones (A, B and C) based on soil type, rainfall and length of growing season. 

Farmers in zones A and B have been able to spread organic manures from January 13 and January 16 but this farmers in Zone C – which includes Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan – can begin the application of organic manures from February 1.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In the first episode of the 2025 season on AgriFocus, Agriland editor, Stella Meehan is joined by superintending veterinary inspector, Audrey Jenkinson from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to discuss avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.

Most recently, the highly pathogenic virus has been discovered in a wild buzzard in Dublin and another wild buzzard in Co. Galway.

There have also been multiple cases reported in the UK, across Europe and in the US, transferring to dairy cows and in some cases, farm workers.

In this episode, Jenkinson breaks down the different strains of avian influenza, the threat to Irish exports and whether or not humans are at risk.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

As nationwide efforts continue to restore power to homes, farms and businesses in the aftermath of Storm Darragh farmers have been urged to be aware of the dangers of damaged power lines and fallen live wires.

In this episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Michael Murray, public safety manager at ESB Networks, joins Francess McDonnell to highlight why farmers and agri-contractors should “not take chances” when it comes to storm damaged power lines and other electrical equipment.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this episode Francess McDonnell chats to Gary Murphy, Professor at Dublin City University’s School of Law and Government.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this episode, Agriland editor, Stella Meehan sits down with chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Animal Health Committee, TJ Maher to discuss bovine tuberculosis (TB), it’s impact, cost and future.

Maher explains the main sources and vectors of TB and the steps farmers themselves must take to ensure the disease is eradicated.

They also discuss the cost to the farmer of a TB reactor in the herd and what supports might be available to families as well as the possibility of a TB vaccine for cattle and the badger vaccination programme.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this episode, the first of Season Two of the AgriFocus series, Agriland editor, Stella Meehan sits down with EY tax partner Alison McHugh to delve into the detail of changes relating to agricultural relief following the publication of Budget 2025.

Alison outlines various scenarios where a land or property owner may need to make decisions urgently before changes are implemented on January 1, 2025.

She explains the relief that is now available from a tax perspective and discusses options for farm transfers and how to take advantage of tax breaks now and into the future.

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.

In this special episode of AgriFocus, we take a look at everything effecting agriculture and rural life that was announced today in Budget 2025.

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.