On the programme this week MJ chats to Declan Hanrahan IFA Beef Chair who is attending the 70th Annual IFA AGM, the main topic up for discussion is the visit of EU Commissioner for Food Christophe Hansen where Mercosur and our derogation will be the main items on the agenda. Stephen Robb from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about a landmark High Court ruling relating to a Co. Laois based wind development where the judge overturned An Bord Pleanála's decision and allowed the development to take place citing our Climate Laws as the overriding legislation. The Teagasc Sheep Conference takes place next week and Edward Egan chats about the differing areas that will be highlighted on the night from sheep handling facilities to ewe body scoring. IFAC have just launched their Irish Farm Survey for 2025 and Philip O Connor from the group chats about their findings including the fact that 23% of respondents say that the biggest barrier to succession is that the lifestyle does not appeal to the next generation.

On the programme this week MJ chats to ICMSA president Denis Drennan about the recent Foot and Mouth outbreak in Germany which has been contained but further vigilance is required especially when people are travelling to Ireland from to this area. Eoin O Catháin from the Irish Whiskey Association chats about a recent collaboration they have made with Maynooth University regarding a distilling course. With Bord Bia figures showing whiskey exports topping 1 billion euro for the first time in 2024, there is a huge demand for talent in this area. Alan Dillon from Teagasc Dairy Beef 500 speaks about an upcoming farm walk in Borris in Ossory focusing on calf care and an upcoming webinar which looks at bringing dairy beef calves through to finish.

The first programme of 2025 sees MJ chat to John Murray from Bord Bia on the Food and Beverage export report of 2024 which sees a new record set where Irish exports have topped 17 billion euro for the first time. The UK still being our biggest trading partner while Africa imported almost 1 billion euro worth of our produce are some of the areas up for discussion. With sub zero temperatures sweeping across the midlands this week, Francie Gorman from the IFA chats about how farmer safety is paramount during these tough conditions. Pat O Brien from the ICMSA speaks about what cohort of farmers are entitled to TAMS grants for LESS equipment while Michael Farrelly from the FTMTA speaks about tractor sales in 2024 and which county in the midlands had the most new purchases during the last 12 months.

This week MJ chats to Phelim O Neill from the Irish Farmers Journal about the recently published Agri Food Regulator's report about what factories are being paid for beef, a question which farmers have been asking for a long time and with light finally being shed on the financials of the industry what will be uncovered? PJ Lynam and Nikolay Sezonov from the Tullamore Tractor run join MJ in studio to speak about the event taking place this Christmas which has raised over four hundred thousand euro for charity since its inception. With the ICSA presidency up for grabs, Sean McNamara and Dan Lynam go head to head - they give an account of their vision for the role should they be elected. Vincent Griffith from the Irish Grassland Association chats about their annual event which is taking place next month.

On the programme this week Blathnáid Gallagher from the Galway Wool Co - Op chats to MJ about the Galway sheep breed. Blathnáid feels that native

wool needs a direct route to market and that companies selling "so called" Irish products such as Aran and Tweed using southern hemisphere wool need to use Irish wool. Alan Crowe from the Hereford Society chats about an upcoming sale in Tullamore while Adam Woods from the Irish Farmers Journal gives the latest from Brussels on the Mercosur deal which would allow South American beef access to the EU. Dr. Shivani Pathania from Teagasc chats about the recent TV show "10 Things To Know About" which showed the research that is ongoing in relation to food packaging and how apple peel could be a real alternative to plastic as a compostable source of food packaging.

The General Election takes centre stage on Countrylife this week with Pat O Toole from the Irish Farmers Journal giving a rundown on the results with a particular focus on both farming candidates nationwide and victorious candidates from Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. Martin McElearney chats as the newly elected chair of the IFA Dairy Committee where he feels dairy farmers are being unreasonably burdened with extra cost as a result of nitrate rules. Alan Dillon from Teagasc chats about an upcoming Dairy Beef 500 Webinar in advance of the spring calving season just around the corner. Padraig Egan from the forestry group SEEFA speaks about the extremely poor year that 2024 was for planting as a result of the government's rules and regulations, the hope is that the new government will allowing planting in a quicker way with less red tape.

On the programme this week MJ chats to Macra President Elaine Houlihan in advance of this weeks General Election where the organisation are encouraging all candidates to champion the cause of rural Ireland if elected. Nevan McKiernan from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about the recent Winter Fair in Carrick on Shannon which saw a huge turnout and huge prices being paid for stock at the Leitrim venue. Malachy Hand from the West Region Texel Club chats about their upcoming female sale and Michael Flanagan gives a mention to the Athlone Show Christmas Tractor Run taking place this weekend. Denis Drennan from the ICMSA chats about their annual AGM and how a positive end to 2024 will have farmers in good spirits ahead of 2025. Bruce Thompson from Co. Laois speaks about the newly published Farming for Nature Handbook which will make an ideal stocking filler.

On the programme this week MJ chats to a group of TY students from Birr in Co. Offaly who were victorious in the Irish Angus Schools Competition and have been given the opportunity to rear five angus cattle through to beef. MJ spoke to Jack O Meara, Joey McLoughney, Ben Younge and Moya Guinan on the O Meara family farm in Coolderry about the experience so far and their plan with the cattle going forward. Ciara Lynch from Dairy Women Ireland chats about their organisation in advance of their annual conference this weekend. Joe Patton gives an outline of the Teagasc Annual Dairy Conference taking place next week where as always a focus will be on maintaining sustainable and profitable dairy herds. Adam Woods from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about the strong beef trade and how it shows no signs of abating in the near future as well as an update on Tullamore Farm.

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery