Month: January 2022

Recent advances in technology are transformed the farming landscape. Speaking at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, Jahmy Hindman, chief technology officer at John Deere, enthused that “farmers need autonomy now”, and that, autonomous tractors “will help change the world”. He added that: “You fast forward a century from those first tractors, and you’ll find some of the most advanced robotic machines are being used on the farm to feed the world.…

Global dairy markets appear relatively strong, with a general balance in supply and demand worldwide and strong demand in Asia. Lakeland Dairies observes that normal global trading patterns and market trends have been affected by disruption caused by the Covid-19 variant, which has had a moderating effect on economic activity across every continent. The diary has set its December 2021 milk price, becoming the first processor to do so. A…

With the EU leaning towards a ban on the transport of animals under 35 days, Bord Bia has begun assessing other options. The state agency is investigating potential markets for older weaned calves, as a possible alternative to the unweaned calf export trade. Bord Bia Livestock Sector Manager Seamus McMenamin states that: “Feedback from key export markets has indicated a stable demand for Irish calves for the incoming 2022 season.…

The latest meat and livestock exports increased by 4% to €3.5 billion in 2021. This is according to the Export Performance and Prospects 2021/2022 report published by Bord Bia on January 12, 2022. The figures indicate strong performance despite last year’s challenges. Individual sectors experienced differing market trends. The state agency found a strong demand and higher prices in beef and sheepmeat, but a weaker market for poultry and pigmeat. Meat and…

Year six of the Sheep Welfare Scheme will begin on February 1, 2022. The scheme was opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, who urged all eligible new entrants to the sheep sector who wish to participate to return their forms by the launch deadline. In a statement issued on January 11th, 2022, the minister said: “I was very pleased to be able to secure additional…

Minister for Agriculture Edwin Poot has come under fire by Stormont’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) committee chairman, Declan McAleer, who highlights that future agricultural policy proposals look sketchy in key areas. Minister Poot recently published a consultation on future agriculture policy proposals centred around themes of productivity, environmental sustainability, improved resilience and a responsive supply chain. McAleer asserts that whilst the policy does provide details of the proposed resilience…

With confirmation of the latest EU data indicating that inflation across the eurozone rose by a further record 5% in December 2021, it is obvious that huge pressure is being exerted on people’s finances – putting many into a crisis situation. Deputy Mattie Mc Grath, leader of the Rural Independent Group of TDs, warns that “spiralling” inflation is having a “major” impact on workers and families. The group’s view is…

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) annual Big Farmland Bird Count has long offered insight into the health of the UK’s birdlife. And, once again, gamekeepers, farmers and land managers across Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales are being called to take part. This year’s event will take place on February 4-20, 2022. The GWCT’s Dr. Roger Draycott states that, “Farmers and gamekeepers are vital in helping to ensure the…

Settled but colder in the south with fog and low cloud slow to clear in places. Milder further north with cloud, rain and stronger winds at first.

Mist and fog will slowly clear on Friday morning but could linger in some eastern and northern parts of the country. Therewill be a mix of cloud and sunny breaks with some coastal patches of drizzle. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9C during the day, in light southeasterly breezes.Mist and fog will become more widespread in the evening. Continuing dry for most with just some light rain in coastal areas. Lowest temperatures of 0 to 4C.

Farm-building contractors will soon be bound by new legislation, and providers of building services will be required to register with Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI). The Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2021 will apply to builders of both residential and non-residential buildings subject to Irish building regulations. Currently around 800 building and contracting entities are recorded on the register, but according to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH),…

Krone’s agricultural machinery division has reported a turnover of €813.5 million, an increase of 11.1 per cent for the last financial year.  Overall the German manufacturer Krone Group posted sales of around €2.2 billion compared with €1.9 billion the previous year.  Krone group chair Bernard Krone commented on the latest figures: “Against the backdrop of the pandemic and the uncertainties that come with it, our turnover of €2.2 billion is…

Ireland’s exports of food, drink and horticulture reached a record value of €13.5 billion in 2021. According to food promotion agency Bord Bia, exports to international markets of the US and Africa have seen the biggest growth compared with those to the UK slowing down. Despite the pandemic and Brexit, the overall value of Irish food and drink exports were two per cent higher than 2020.  Bord Bia’s latest ‘Export…

A new partnership has been forged between Tobroco-Giant and Doosan Infracore Europe. Under the new agreement, selected compact loader models will be manufactured by Tobroco-Giant in the orange colours of Doosan. These will be sold under the Korean company’s name via the brand’s European dealer network. CEO of Doosan Infracore Europe, Chris Jeong, affirms: “We are delighted with our new partnership with Tobroco-Giant. Doosan Infracore is constantly looking at improving and extending…

A call for the recognition of Ireland’s unique island status comes in the wake of recommendations by the Committee of inquiry on animal transport (ANIT) in the European Parliament. These proposals refer to animal welfare during transport, which, according to The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), has the potential to severely impact competitive trade. Several new restrictions listed in a report by ANIT apply to the transport of certain categories of animals, including…

The release of Bord Bia’s Performance and Prospects report of 2021/2022 has raised expectations for Irish food exports this year. The agency’s summation offers an overview of trade in food and drink over the last 12 months. Bord Bia forecasts that the outlook appears “broadly positive”, although it affirms there are still “significant challenges” to overcome. Potential limitations include ‘gastro-nationalism’ in Europe, as well as “a drive to localism” fuelled…

It will be more settled but colder in the south with fog and low cloud becoming more widespread. Milder further north with cloud, rain and stronger winds at first.

In the south and southeast of Ireland fog and low cloud will persist through much of the day with a few brighter spells developing elsewhere. Remaining mostly dry with a few patches of drizzle possible near Atlantic coasts. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10C in mainly light southerly or variable breezes. By the evening, fog will become widespread, and dense in places, Lowest temperatures ranging from -1 to +4C.

Irish farmers are calling on the Government to introduce stronger measures to stop dogs from attacking their flocks. Sean Dennehy, sheep chairman of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) criticised the lack of action from local authorities in response to a recent spate of sheep killings across the country. Dog owners are liable for injury or damage caused by their dog to people or livestock. “It is not acceptable to farmers,…

A European-wide dairy cooperative has announced plans to convert its entire fleet of milk tankers to fossil free fuels in its bid to become carbon net zero. Arla Foods revealed the fossil fuel conversion is part of a long-term strategy to increase its climate change target for operations by nearly a third to 63 per cent. The Danish company, will work with customers and farmers to reduce the total milage…

Settled across many areas with sunny spells, overnight frost and morning fog patches, stubborn to clear in places. Milder and windier over northern Scotland, any rain mainly over western hills.

Another dry and bright day with long clear spells and plenty of afternoon sunshine. There will be the odd shower or two along Atlantic coastal fringes where it will be a little cloudier too. Highs of 7 to 10C and light winds.

TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s application to open a restaurant at his Diddly Squat farm in Oxfordshire has been turned down. Mr Clarkson, took over the running of his 1,000 acre farm in 2019 and recently submitted plans to turn his lambing barn into a restaurant.  “We have been told as farmers to diversify and that is exactly what this proposal is, it’s diversification of a farming business,” Mr Clarkson told…

Irish farming is facing a particularly challenging 2022, claim the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). Tim Cullinan, IFA president, is concerned rising input costs could wipe out the modest gains of some Irish family farms. Farmers have seen input costs for feed, energy and fertiliser rise by up to 15 per cent in 2021, according to the latest figures released by the Central Statistics Office.  “As farmers, we continue to produce…

Dairy farmers were found to be the main drivers of burgeoning farm sales in a survey done by the Farming Independent of over 100 auctions in 2021. It noted that record prices were paid at auction, with total sales up 34pc to €73.4m. Covid helped to boost online auctions, resulting in more than 73pc of online sales, or a mix of online and in-person transactions. The option of digital transactions…

Food prices exceeded the highest levels in a decade last year. This is according to The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) food price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities. Figures for 2021 show an average of 125.7 points, the highest since 131.9 in 2011. Global food prices jumped a staggering 28pc, making a return to more stable market conditions unlikely in the near future. The FAO’s senior…

John Deere’s iconic 8 series tractor has been transformed into a state-of-the-art machine that’s set to impact the farming sector. The fully autonomous tractor was unveiled at the CES 2022 trade show on January 2, 2022. A GPS guidance system, TruSet-enabled chisel plow, and advanced technologies have upgraded Deere’s 8R tractor into a hi-tech tool capable of completing a variety of tasks. Once transported to a field, farmers can configure…

Monday’s auctions on LSL. Register at www.lslauctions.com to take part. *Details correct at the time of publication. Auctions are subject to change without notification.

A largely bright and sunny day on Tuesday, with long spells of sunshine. Cloudier conditions with spots of drizzle along the south coast at first that will clear later in the morning. There may be isolated showers on northwestern fringes later. Southwest winds will generally stay light too, with highest temperatures of around 6 to 9C. LSL News.