Francess McDonnell and Kathleen O'Sullivan bring you the biggest stories of the week in Irish agriculture from Agriland, which this week includes:

• Commission backs nitrates derogation;
• What’s the latest on scheme payments;
• New antiparasitic rules to come into force;
• Bird flu cull numbers;
• The hottest heifer in the country.

Don’t forget to rate, review and follow The Farming Week, Agriland’s weekly review of Irish agriculture, and visit Agriland.ie for more.