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Weather forecast: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February
A Status Yellow snow-ice warning has been issued by Met Éireann for Connacht, Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal over the weekend. In the affected counties, snowfalls of 5cm are predicted with strong to gale force southeast winds. Temperatures will continue to rise ranging from 7 to 11C by dawn on Sunday. The Yellow weather alert comes into effect at 2:00am on Saturday morning and will remain in place until 12:00pm on Saturday. In Cork, Kerry…
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Cattle Mart – Price Roundup 12-02-2021
Friday’s selected Cattle mart price report: copyright LSL. Bullock 400-500kg Fri 12 Feb Avg Price/KgCHX 2.39/kgLM 2.43/kgLMX 2.34/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:CH, 420kg 2.81/kg 1180.00CHX, 470kg 2.64/kg 1240.00CHX, 425kg 2.56/kg 1090.00CHX, 460kg 2.5/kg 1150.00LMX, 428kg 2.5/kg 1070.00LM, 470kg 2.47/kg 1160.00 Bullock 500-600kg Fri 12 Feb Avg Price/KgCHX 2.37/kgLMX 2.17/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:CHX, 515kg 2.49/kg 1280.00CHX, 520kg 2.48/kg 1290.00CH, 555kg 2.47/kg 1370.00CHX,LMX, 580kg 2.47/kg 1430.00CHX, 540kg 2.46/kg 1330.00CHX, 560kg 2.45/kg 1370.00 Bullock 600-700kg Fri…
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IFA Meet MII on Beef Price Cuts
IFA president Tim Cullinan has met with Meat Industry Ireland (MII) to discuss the recent price cuts attempted by factories. He told the industry representative body the recent attempts by factories to reduce beef prices are not justified based on current market information and said farmers have reacted angrily to these attempts by factories. The IFA president claimed MII were left in no doubt that undermining of the market conditions…
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New Chair and Vice-Chair Elected at Lakeland Dairies
Lakeland Dairies has announced the appointment of both a new chair and vice-chair of the cooperative board. Niall Matthews, from Carrickmacross, Co. Louth, has been appointed chairman of Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Ltd. Mr Matthews was elected to the board of the co-op in 2017. He succeeds Aloysius Duffy, who served as a board member since 2010 and as chairman since 2014. “I am very honoured to be appointed chairman…
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Cattle Mart – Price Roundup 11-02-2021
Thursday’s selected Cattle mart price report: copyright LSL. Bullock 400-500kg Thu 11 Feb Avg Price/KgFR 1.70/kgLMX 2.20/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LMX, 470kg 2.36/kg 1110.00BK, 485kg 2.33/kg 1130.00LMX, 455kg 2.31/kg 1050.00LMX, 425kg 2.19/kg 930.00HEX, 495kg 2.06/kg 1020.00LMX, 435kg 1.93/kg 840.00 Bullock 500-600kg Thu 11 Feb Avg Price/KgCHX 2.27/kgFR 1.70/kgFRX 1.75/kgHEX 2.00/kgLMX 2.22/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:CHX, 510kg 2.49/kg 1270.00CHX, 580kg 2.43/kg 1410.00BK, 565kg 2.42/kg 1370.00CHX, 595kg 2.40/kg 1430.00LMX, 550kg 2.36/kg 1300.00CHX, 575kg 2.33/kg 1340.00 Bullock…
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Sheep Mart – Price Roundup 11-02-2021
Thursday’s selected Sheep mart price report: copyright LSL. SHEEP 20-30kg Thu 11 Feb Avg Price/KgSHEEP 2.90/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SHEEP, 26kg 3.00/kg 79.00SHEEP, 28kg 2.8/kg 77.00 SHEEP 30-40kg Thu 11 Feb Avg Price/KgSHEEP 2.61/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SHEEP, 31kg 3.19/kg 100.00SHEEP, 38kg 2.92/kg 112.00SHEEP, 38kg 2.90/kg 111.00SHEEP, 40kg 2.90/kg 115.00SHEEP, 36kg 2.87/kg 104.00SHEEP, 40kg 2.86/kg 114.00 SHEEP 40-50kg Thu 11 Feb Avg Price/KgSHEEP 2.78/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SHEEP, 49kg 2.89/kg 142.00SHEEP, 45kg 2.89/kg 129.00SHEEP, 48kg 2.88/kg…
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Northern Ireland Considers Deposit Return Scheme for Single Use Plastic Bottles
Newly-appointed Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons is planning to launch a public consultation reviewing the feasibility of a deposit return scheme for single use plastic. It has been suggested milk cartons would also be eligible for the scheme. “In February 2020, we committed to Northern Ireland’s continued participation in the development of UK-wide proposals to reform the packaging producer responsibility system and the introduction of a deposit return scheme,”…
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New Biodiversity Initiative Launched to Help Farmers
A new locally-led farm and community biodiversity initiative has been announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The €1.25m initiative, which is under the Department’s Rural Development Programme (RDP), is seeking applications from groups of farmers. Minister of State, Pippa Hackett, who launched the initiative, said: “This is all about helping farmers and land managers to deliver for biodiversity, both on farms and at local level.” “It…
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Cattle Mart – Price Roundup 10-02-2021
Wednesday’s selected Cattle mart price report: copyright LSL. Bullock 300-400kg Wed 10 Feb Avg Price/KgAAX 2.18/kgLMX 2.15/kgSIX 2.24/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SIX, 305kg 2.39/kg 730.00LMX,AAX, 324kg 2.28/kg 740.00HEX, 355kg 2.14/kg 760.00SIX, 325kg 2.09/kg 680.00AAX, 300kg 2.07/kg 620.00LMX, 395kg 2.03/kg 800.00 Bullock 400-500kg Wed 10 Feb Avg Price/KgLMX 2.33/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LMX, 405kg 2.57/kg 1040.00LMX, 420kg 2.43/kg 1020.00LMX, 470kg 2.32/kg 1090.00LMX, 415kg 2.02/kg 840.00HEX, 435kg 1.70/kg 740.00FRX, 400kg 1.5/kg 600.00 Bullock 500-600kg Wed 10…
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Sheep Mart – Price Roundup 10-02-2021
Wednesday’s selected Sheep mart price report: copyright LSL. Lamb 40-50kg Wed 10 Feb Avg Price/KgLB 2.36/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LB, 45kg 2.91/kg 131.00LB, 48kg 2.90/kg 139.00LB, 49kg 2.80/kg 137.00LB, 48kg 2.79/kg 134.00LB, 40kg 2.78/kg 111.00LB, 46kg 2.76/kg 127.00 Lamb 50-60kg Wed 10 Feb Avg Price/KgLB 2.61/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LB, 50kg 2.8/kg 140.00LB, 51kg 2.69/kg 137.00LB, 50kg 2.66/kg 133.00LB, 54kg 2.61/kg 141.00LB, 54kg 2.61/kg 141.00LB, 53kg 2.60/kg 138.00 Lamb 60-70kg Wed 10 Feb Avg…
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Agriculture Committee to Scrutinise Blanket Ban on Peat Production
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to scrutinise Bord na Móna’s decision to issue a blanket ban on the production of peat in Ireland. Discussion will be centred around the effect of stopping of peat production on other industries including nurseries, horticulture and mushroom growing. Stakeholders affected by the decision, including Bord na Móna, will appear in front of the committee over the next few weeks. Committee…
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Farmers Survey Reveals Poor Rural Connectivity is Leaving Them Behind
More than four in 10 farmers say they still don’t have fast and reliable broadband or strong enough mobile phone signals to be able to run their businesses properly. A survey of 430 farmers by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) highlights how farmers are getting left behind as the gap widens between rural and urban connectivity.  NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts said: “For too long, those living and working in…
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Weather forecast: Wednesday 9 February
Wednesday will be a cold but bright day. It will remain dry in many areas but scattered wintry showers will continue to affect north Leinster and east Ulster. Frost and ice will linger through much of the day as afternoon temperatures reach just 1 to 3C with a light to moderate easterly breeze. Isolated wintry showers in the east and northeast in the evening but mainly dry. However, rain, sleet…
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Cattle Mart – Price Roundup 09-02-2021
Tuesday’s selected Cattle mart price report: copyright LSL. BULLOCK 300-400kg Tue 9 Feb Avg Price/KgAAX 2.12/kgFR 1.49/kgHEX 1.98/kgLMX 2.06/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:AAX, 300kg 2.23/kg 670.00AAX, 320kg 2.16/kg 690.00M BULLOCK, 335kg 2.15/kg 720.00AAX, 330kg 2.12/kg 700.00LMX, 330kg 2.12/kg 700.00HEX, 321kg 2.12/kg 680.00 BULLOCK 400-500kg Tue 9 Feb Avg Price/KgHEX 1.92/kgM BULLOCK 1.68/kgSAX 1.81/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:HEX, 465kg 1.98/kg 920.00M BULLOCK, 463kg 1.92/kg 890.00HEX, 487kg 1.91/kg 930.00HEX, 472kg 1.89/kg 890.00M BULLOCK, 410kg 1.88/kg 770.00SAX,…
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Sheep Mart – Price Roundup 09-02-2021
Tuesday’s selected Sheep mart price report: copyright LSL. LAMB 20-30kg Tue 9 Feb Avg Price/KgLAMB 2.50/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LAMB, 28kg 2.71/kg 77.00LAMB, 23kg 2.62/kg 60.00LAMB, 25kg 2.60/kg 66.00LAMB, 30kg 2.55/kg 76.00LAMB, 30kg 2.54/kg 75.00LAMB, 29kg 2.45/kg 71.00 LAMB 30-40kg Tue 9 Feb Avg Price/KgLAMB 2.57/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LAMB, 36kg 3/kg 108.00LAMB, 35kg 2.97/kg 104.00LAMB, 32kg 2.78/kg 89.00LAMB, 36kg 2.77/kg 101.00LAMB, 33kg 2.74/kg 90.00LAMB, 34kg 2.74/kg 93.00 LAMB 40-50kg Tue 9 Feb Avg…
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Anger as Factories Slash Beef Quotes and Reduce Kill to a Three Day Week
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) beef chair Edmund Graham, says there is no logical reason for factories to slash beef quotes to the €3.70/kg mark this week.  Mr Graham said it makes no sense when demand for beef remains high and sterling rates are favourable. He believes factories must be held to account and added: “Many farmers are reporting difficulties booking cattle in for slaughter and those that…
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ICSA Calls for Tougher Penalties for Dog Owners Whose Pets Attack Sheep
The chair of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) says fines of €100 are not enough to change the habits of irresponsible dog owners whose animals attack livestock. ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara, who himself has suffered losses due to sheep worrying, said: “It is unbelievably distressing to walk out and find dead or dying ewes. Even if the sheep are not directly attacked and have no visible…
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Weather Forecast: Tuesday 8 February
Tuesday will be another very cold and blustery day. Scattered showers of sleet and snow will continue with further snow accumulations in places. Highest temperatures of just 1 to 3C with an added wind chill factor owning to fresh and gusty easterly winds. The evening will be very cold with frost and icy stretches forming under long clear spells. Scattered showers of sleet and snow will become confined to the…
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Farmers Urge Walkers Not to Take Dogs onto Hills to Protect Farm Animals
People have been urged to leave dogs at home when hiking or hillwalking after a number of sheep have been attacked in upland areas. There have been a number of incidents around Mount Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula which have prompted farmers to complain of dogs chasing sheep, resulting in injuries and stress-related conditions such as miscarriages. Mountaineering Ireland, the national representative body for hillwalkers and mountaineers, said it supports…
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Cattle Mart – Price Roundup 08-02-2021
Monday’s selected Cattle mart price report: copyright LSL. Cow 400-500kg Mon 8 Feb Avg Price/KgFR 1.26/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:FR, 465kg 1.42/kg 660.00FR, 455kg 1.36/kg 620.00FRX, 495kg 1.07/kg 530.00FR, 415kg 1.01/kg 420.00JEX, 470kg 0.83/kg 390.00 Cow 500-600kg Mon 8 Feb Avg Price/KgAA 1.80/kgFR 1.18/kgFRX 1.21/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:AA, 510kg 1.80/kg 920.00AA, 535kg 1.79/kg 960.00FR, 590kg 1.44/kg 850.00FR, 560kg 1.32/kg 740.00FR, 585kg 1.32/kg 770.00FR, 565kg 1.31/kg 740.00 Cow 600-700kg Mon 8 Feb Avg Price/KgFR…
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Sheep Mart – Price Roundup 08-02-2021
Monday’s selected Sheep mart price report: copyright LSL. Lamb 30-40kg Mon 8 Feb Avg Price/KgLAMB 2.40/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LAMB, 40kg 2.97/kg 118.00LAMB, 36kg 2.89/kg 103.00LAMB, 32kg 1.34/kg 43.00 Lamb 40-50kg Mon 8 Feb Avg Price/KgLAMB 2.74/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LAMB, 46kg 3/kg 138.00LAMB, 46kg 2.91/kg 134.00LAMB, 48kg 2.89/kg 139.00LAMB, 47kg 2.87/kg 135.00LAMB, 40kg 2.85/kg 114.00LAMB, 47kg 2.83/kg 134.00 Lamb 50-60kg Mon 8 Feb Avg Price/KgLAMB 2.70/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LAMB, 50kg 2.8/kg 140.00LAMB, 52kg 2.77/kg…
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Ireland is One of the Lowest in Europe’s Organic Farming League
Irish farmers have the second lowest-level of organic farming in Europe, with just 1.6 per cent of agricultural land assigned, according to a study by Eurostat. The average is 8.5 per cent in the EU with Malta ranking lowest at 0.5 per cent. Statistics published by the EU’s statistics body Eurostat, found that the total organic area in the EU was 13.8 million hectares in 2019. Ireland has been near…
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Weather forecast: Monday 8 February
A national weather advisory is in effect for Ireland until Wednesday 10 February.  Met Eireann has warned the temperature will be “bitterly cold”, in low single figures during the day and with widespread frost and ice at night. Yesterday, sleet and snow showers started in the eastern counties. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware of hazardous conditions on the roads and paths.   Met Eireann said that Monday will be very…
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Forestry Workshops For Landowners Considering Land Use Change
During February and March, landowners can join three, one-hour online workshops organised by Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department, to gain an understanding of what a new forest can offer, learn what’s involved, and how to get started in the planting process. These sessions will be held through Zoom. Landowners should attend all three sessions as different areas will be covered. The first sessions will be held between 15 and 24 February.…
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Cattle Mart – Price Roundup 05-02-2021
Friday’s selected Cattle mart price report: copyright LSL. Bullock 300-400kg Fri 5 Feb Avg Price/KgHEX 1.89/kgLMX 2.34/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LMX, 310kg 2.61/kg 810.00LMX, 375kg 2.4/kg 900.00LMX, 380kg 2.24/kg 850.00HEX, 340kg 2.24/kg 760.00AAX, 395kg 2.18/kg 860.00LMX, 385kg 2.10/kg 810.00 Bullock 400-500kg Fri 5 Feb Avg Price/KgAAX 2.05/kgCHX 2.49/kgFRX 1.83/kgHEX 2.10/kgLMX 2.41/kgSH 2.01/kgSIX 2.16/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LMX, 480kg 2.71/kg 1300.00CHX, 425kg 2.66/kg 1130.00LMX, 490kg 2.65/kg 1300.00LMX, 495kg 2.63/kg 1300.00CHX, 478kg 2.62/kg 1250.00LMX, 420kg 2.60/kg…
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Embryo Transfer Calf Gives New Hope for Rare Semi-Wild Cattle Breed
The successful birth of a female Vaynol calf through embryo transfer has brought new hope of saving one of the rarest breeds of UK native livestock. Conservationists said the calf, called Snow because of her white colouring and the conditions at the time of her birth near Edinburgh on 6 January, was born after the first successful embryo transfer for a semi wild cattle breed.  Vaynol cattle are descended from ancient…
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First Chair in Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics Appointed at UCD
Dr Siobhan Mullan has been appointed as the first Chair of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics at the University of Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine. The new position is supported by the Department of Agriculture and will focus on farm animal welfare and ethical considerations.  Dr Mullan joins UCD from the University of Bristol and her appointment follows the launch of Ireland’s first dedicated Animal Welfare Strategy, last week.  Speaking…
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Weather Outlook Today: Friday 5 February
Many areas will start off dry on Friday with sunny spells. However, some showers will develop in northern and western coastal counties during the morning, spreading further inland during the afternoon and evening. Wintry falls are likely on higher ground in the southwest later. Cold with highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees.  At night there will clear spells and well scattered showers, mainly across Munster early on, and later…