Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
News
Deep renovation of buildings crucial for GHG emissions
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is under revision as part of the EU’s climate change efforts. The EU Parliament wants to reduce GHG emissions by 55% from the 1990 level by 2030. In relation to this, Irish MEP Ciarán Cuffe has made a call called for minimum energy performance standards in EU countries to protect households from high energy costs. This after he was instituted as the European Parliament’s rapporteur on…
News
EU proposed nature restoration law met with resistance 
Nature restoration is front and centre in the EU commission’s new draft legislation. The proposed legislation would see the rewetting of drained farm peatlands. But the move has not been welcomed by many, as some say it would have dire consequences on farmers and rural communities. The new legislation calls for the rewetting of farmland to be done with a matter of urgency.   Voicing concerns regarding this, Independent TD…
Agricultural drone
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Drone technology a multipurpose tool useful for farmers
New technology now enables farmers to use drones for everything from surveying, to mapping, crop monitoring and disease detection. Autonomous crop pesticide applications could also be a reality, but legislative red tape is currently preventing its use for that specific task. In a webinar featuring Agri-EPI and Connected Places Catapult, ecosystem director Hannah Tew, said that, “Precision technology can tackle key agricultural challenges – using variable rate and precise application…
New cars
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Buyers willing to spend more on new cars
New car buyers appear to be happy to spend a little bit more on their new vehicles these days. A study by vehicle history and data expert Cartell.ie and car sales platform CarsIreland.ie. shows that the average price rose above the €35,000 mark in 2021. With most buyers paying between €30,000 and €40,000. Cartell.ie examined the average Open Market Selling Price of all new cars bought between January and October from…
GPS agriculture
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Accuracy of GPS technology leads to an uptake in the tillage sector
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technologies are becoming increasingly popular in the tillage sector. Topcon technologist Craig England expanded on the developing role of these new technologies in the potato sector at a recent Tillage Edge podcast. “Normally the most experienced driver, or the farm owner himself, is doing the ridging of the potatoes. This job has to be done straight and the ridges have to be even. We find that…
Farm to fork
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Farm to Fork strategy to draw from an online consultation process
Under the Farm to Fork strategy, the European Commission announced a revision of animal welfare legislation by the end of 2023. Subject to revision are directives on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes – laying hens, broilers, pigs and calves, as well as regulations on the protection of animals during transport and at the time of killing. Animal welfare issues were also recently debated in the European Parliament.…
News
Diageo launches new tillage project 
The tillage farming sector has the lowest carbon footprint and a new programme has been launched in order to further examine regenerative agriculture techniques within the sector. This in turn will relate to further improvements in tillage farming and will add to the sector’s sustainability credentials. The Diageo Regenerative Agriculture Pilot program has been welcomed by tillage farmers with the Irish Farmers’ Association describing it as a positive development.  …
LSL Select Price Report – Cattle Mart 13/02/2023
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Midweek beef price increase described as “crazy” 
The latest increase in the price of beef has been described as “crazy”, as the price was hiked for the fourth time in two consecutive weeks. This week saw the midweek quote increase in order to secure supplies of cattle. The latest hike sees the price of beef at €4.60/kg for bullocks while heifers increased to €4.65/kg. Various reports state that Foyle Meats, Co. Donegal, is out in front on…
News
Mounting concern as Russia/Ukraine situation escalates 
Concerns are mounting as the situation between Russia and Ukraine intensifies with some saying that it would lead to food shortages in Western Europe. According to TD Michael McNamara who raised the concern in the Dáil says ‘up to now, we have lived in a time of unprecedented peace and security in Europe, including energy security and food security. All of that seems to be questionable and questioned now.’  Recent…
LSL Select Price Report – Sheep Mart 25/02/2022
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LSL Select Price Report – Sheep Mart 25/02/2022
Friday’s selected Sheep Mart Price Report: Copyright LSL Auctions. SH 30-40KG Avg Price/KgSH 2.80/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SH, 38kg 3.16/kg 120.00SH, 36kg 3.11/kg 112.00SH, 38kg 3.08/kg 117.00SH, 37kg 2.97/kg 110.00SH, 38kg 2.95/kg 112.00SH, 35kg 2.26/kg 79.00 SH 40-50KG Avg Price/KgSH 2.99/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SH, 42kg 3.17/kg 133.00SH, 46kg 3.15/kg 145.00SH, 46kg 3.15/kg 145.00SH, 48kg 3.10/kg 149.00SH, 48kg 3.08/kg 148.00SH, 48kg 3.08/kg 148.00 SH 50-60KG Avg Price/KgSH 2.76/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:SH, 51kg 3.16/kg 161.00SH, 51kg…
LSL Select Price Report – Cattle Mart 14/07/2022
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LSL Select Price Report – Cattle Mart 25/02/2022
Friday’s selected Cattle Mart Price Report: Copyright LSL Auctions. BULLOCK-M 300-400KG Avg Price/KgAAX 2.36/kgCHX 2.77/kgLMX 2.60/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:CHX, 357kg 2.86/kg 1020.00CHX, 387kg 2.74/kg 1060.00LMX, 390kg 2.72/kg 1060.00CH,CHX, 370kg 2.70/kg 1000.00LMX, 365kg 2.68/kg 980.00LMX, 367kg 2.67/kg 980.00 BULLOCK-M 400-500KG Avg Price/KgAAX 2.04/kgCHX 2.86/kgCHX,LMX 2.85/kgLMX 2.73/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LMX, 470kg 2.96/kg 1390.00CHX,LMX, 493kg 2.94/kg 1450.00CHX, 460kg 2.93/kg 1350.00CHX, 495kg 2.91/kg 1440.00CHX, 485kg 2.89/kg 1400.00LMX, 480kg 2.88/kg 1380.00 BULLOCK-M 500-600KG Avg Price/KgAAX 2.65/kgCH 2.87/kgCHX…
Bentham Auction Mart
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Bentham Auction Mart – Farm Machinery and Equipment sale – 26/02
There will be a dispersal sale of farm machinery and equipment via LSL Auctions on behalf of Mr Hull, Stalmine, on Saturday, 26 February 2022, at 11:00. Ring 1. There will be 146 lots. Lots include: Large Tow Chain Ratchet Spanner Set Tool Chest & Contents Grinder, Grinding Disc & Battery Drill 2x Draper Hydraulic Puller Kits Torque Wrench Oak Table & Chairs AEG 110volt Drill Assorted Vintage Tools Spanners…
Earthworms
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Earthworms as a nutrient supply could offset the use of synthetic fertilizers
Most gardeners value of the input of earthworms to their land, and new research released by University College Dublin (UCD) confirms that they are likely to do the same job as high-cost soil fertilisers. A School of Agriculture and Food Science study by Professor Olaf Schmidt has found that earthworms rapidly enrich soil and plants through nitrogen excreted in their mucus. Their ability to enrich soil has long been valued as…
News
Lemken to use AI for next-level farming 
Lemken hopes to take smart farming to the next level as it plans to build an €18 million factory for its Steketee subsidiary in the south of Netherlands. It’s understood that production at the plant will be focused on artificial intelligence (AI). This comes as Lemken intends to concentrate on the use of plant recognition to enhance the weed control properties of its mechanical hoeing machines.  The reasoning behind the…
News
6.3% inflation increase for rural households
The government has been urged to look into methods in an attempt to alleviate increases in the cost of living. With particular focus on energy spending and consumption costs, the country faces severe financial pressure due to the recent hikes in fertiliser and feedstuffs. This comes as the European Central Bank (ECB) has revealed the latest data indicating that inflation in Ireland for the period of December 2021 was at…
Poolberg peninsula
News
Pilot project explores undersea salt caverns to store hydrogen gas
dCarbonX is examining structures off the Poolbeg peninsula to potentially use undersea salt caverns in Dublin Bay to store hydrogen gas and liquid. The idea being to wean Ireland off fossil fuels. The venture has the backing of the ESB, and is one of a number of pilot projects the ESB is driving in Ireland and the UK.  ESB chief executive Paddy Hayes explained that, “For us, the real nut…
Electric car charging
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Motor industry highlights challenge to install fast-charging points for EVs
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has advised that Ireland needs to create 100,000 fast-charging points over the next eight years to keep a million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. The challenge being that we currently only have 1,900 public chargers located at 800 sites. The society’s report therefore highlights the ‘huge investment’ needed in the charging infrastructure. The one-million EV target is a key environmental government…
Young bulls
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LMC notes trends in current cattle slaughter data
Last year, the average age of bullocks, young bulls and heifers slaughtered in Northern Ireland was 25.7, 25.7 and 16.4 months. Ian Stevenson, from the Livestock and Meat Commission’s, has come out saying that there is “very clear” evidence that illustrates that beef farmers in Northern Ireland recognise the need to slaughter cattle at an earlier age. The equivalent figures for 2019 were 26.2, 26.0 and 16.3 months. Another trend…
News
Proposed farmers’ mini-budget causes uproar
The current situation facing Ireland’s farmers has sparked various debates and has led to various programmes being considered in dire attempts to alleviate their financial position. However, the latest development regarding this took place in the Dáil earlier this week as a specific proposed mini-budget raised by the Rural Independent Group (RIG) was not taken particularly well. In an attempt to seek a solution to the matter the RIG raised…
News
Global conflict will add to pressure on farmers, says TD 
As the world braces itself for the potential conflict between Russia and Ukraine, its thought that economic sanctions will further drive-up farming inputs. The recent price hikes in fertiliser and feedstuff costs has left many of the country’s farmers in a dire financial position as they struggle to maintain the running costs of their farms.   Independent TD for Galway East Seán Canney highlighted the current situation faced by farmers, saying…
LSL Select Price Report – Cattle Mart 01/02/2023
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LSL Select Price Report – Cattle Mart 24/02/2022
Thursday’s selected Cattle Mart Price Report: Copyright LSL Auctions. DCW 400-500KG Avg Price/KgBBX 1.71/kgFR 1.25/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:AAX, 495kg 1.84/kg 910.00BBX, 490kg 1.71/kg 840.00BBX, 450kg 1.71/kg 770.00MOX, 410kg 1.71/kg 700.00FR, 490kg 1.55/kg 760.00FRX, 455kg 1.36/kg 620.00 DCW 500-600KG Avg Price/KgFR 1.46/kgFRX 1.39/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:FR, 580kg 2.05/kg 1190.00FR, 580kg 1.71/kg 990.00FRX, 500kg 1.66/kg 830.00FR, 510kg 1.63/kg 830.00FR, 590kg 1.59/kg 940.00FR, 585kg 1.57/kg 920.00 DCW 600-700KG Avg Price/KgFR 1.58/kgFRX 1.57/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:BBX, 675kg…
LSL Select Price Report – Sheep Mart 30/11/2022
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LSL Select Price Report – Sheep Mart 24/02/2022
Thursday’s selected Sheep Mart Price Report: Copyright LSL Auctions. LB 30-40KG Avg Price/KgLB 2.41/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LB, 31kg 2.87/kg 89.00LB, 31kg 2.81/kg 87.00LB, 35kg 2.77/kg 97.00LB, 32kg 2.75/kg 88.00LB, 38kg 2.68/kg 102.00LB, 38kg 2.63/kg 100.00 LB 40-50KG Avg Price/KgLB 2.97/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LB, 44kg 3.16/kg 139.00LB, 46kg 3.15/kg 145.00LB, 46kg 3.11/kg 143.00LB, 47kg 3.11/kg 146.00LB, 47kg 3.04/kg 143.00LB, 48kg 3.04/kg 146.00 LB 50-60KG Avg Price/KgLB 2.87/kgHighest Price/Kg Lots:LB, 50kg 3.08/kg 154.00LB, 50kg…
Covid savings
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Covid savings fuelling the sharp increase in house prices
A KBC Bank consumer sentiment index report has uncovered the scale of the effect on the housing market of savings amassed during the Covid period. The findings are that it is likely to be adding around five percentage points to house price inflation. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that property prices shot up by 14.4% nationally last year. In a question survey it was established that one in…
Deer
News
Irish Deer Management Forum to be revived
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has instructed his team to put together a successor to the Irish Deer Management Forum, which will coordinate with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The forum has been inactive since 2018, and its revival is related to concerns over the spread of bovine TB. The Irish Farmers’ Association recently told a meeting of the Oireachtas joint…
Popular Friesian Cow at Carnaross Mart – Lot 43 sold online for €2280 via LSL Auctions
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Popular Friesian Cow at Carnaross Mart – Lot 43 sold online for €2280 via LSL Auctions
Watch this video clip on – https://www.lslauctions.com/LotDetail-M186-266321 Big interest in this Friesian Cow at Carnaross Mart. Did you see Lot 43? Sex: F – Breed: FR – DOB: 08/04/2019 – Owners: 3 – Export: Y – QA: Y – TB: 21/02/2022 – BVD: 17/04/2019 – Days in Herd: 1026 – Calf Registered: Y. Sold online for €2280.00 via LSL Auctions. Subscribe for free to watch Today’s Auction: www.lslauctions.com Catchup on all the weeks auction with On-Demand replay at https://www.lslauctions.com/Premium LSL Auctions is…
Mask Coronavirus
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Mask-wearing no longer required at marts from Monday
The Government met this week to debate recent advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). The outcome was that the requirement for compulsory mask-wearing at livestock marts will be lifted from Monday, 28 February, 2022, as per the new public health guidelines. Basically this means that there will no longer be specific Covid rules for marts from then on. Over time, buyers have returned to the ring and…
News
Hennessy Online Farm & Plant Machinery Auction 26/02 
There will be an online Farm & Plant Machinery Online Auction via LSL Auctions on Saturday, 26 February, 2022, starting at 10:30 a.m.   Lots include:   1994 John Deere 7600 4WD (fully restored and in every day use on a farm)   1987 Fiat 110-90 4WD (fully restored and in every day use on a farm)   2016 New Holland T7.200 4WD with Front Linkage & PTO  O’Neill Portable Weighing Scales (as new)  Jeantil Straw/Silage Chopper…
News
Sheep kill decreases as weekly stats are revealed 
There has been a decrease in the number of sheep kills for the week ending February 19. According to figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), 55,244 sheep were processed marginally lower than the week before with a total of 374 head. The figures additionally reveal that the number of lambs/hoggets slaughtered last week came to 49,730 which represented a decrease of 84 head from…