Year: 2022

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.

Sunny intervals and showers across northern Scotland, where remaining windy. Some rain at first in the south but sunnier skies in central UK should follow to most places eventually. LSL News.

Supermarket giant Asda has been accused of turning its back on British farmers after withdrawing its promise to stock only British beef in their stores.  The retailer’s commitment to using 100 per cent British beef was announced in October last year and pulled back just before Christmas. British Beef Association CEO Neil Shand, said he was massively disappointed by Asda’s u-turn after three months.  “Our members have worked very hard…

More fruit and vegetables are consumed daily by the Irish, compared to other European Union (EU) member countries. A third of Ireland’s population (33 per cent) consumes five portions or more of fruit and vegetables a day, according to new data released by Eurostat – the EU body that publishes Europe-wide statistics. One average, more than half the EU’s population (55 per cent) said they ate between one and four…

Early cloud and rain, heavy at times on Saturday, clearing eastwards. Brighter spells and showers, wintry over hills. Sunday will be dry and bright for many areas, although blustery showers in the northwest. Cloud and rain reaching all areas through Monday, clearing southeast, and brightening from the northwest through Tuesday.

Rain will quickly clear on Saturday morning with sunny spells and showers following from the west, hail with isolated thunderstorms are possible, while some may turning to sleet through the evening hours. Temperatures will drop through the day. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4C generally, holding a little milder near Atlantic coasts. It will be a mostly dry start to Sunday. However, rain will develop in the southwest and spread…

Show organisers of the British Dairy-Tech show ave confirmed this year’s event will be pushed back to 7 April. Aimed at progressive dairy professionals, Dairy-Tech is one of the biggest dairy shows in the UK and Ireland, with more than 80 new product launches and almost 300 exhibitors.  The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) said the increase in Covid-19 cases since Christmas is the reason for the show…

The discovery of black truffles could give Ireland a foothold in the market and a welcome boost for farmers and landowners. Due to high demand, the truffle industry is growing rapidly and in the next 20 years could be worth €4.5 billion annually.  Project organiser Prof. Paul W. Thomas from the University of Sterling in Scotland, confirmed the black truffle had been successfully been grown in Ireland for the first…

Industry bodies are working to make the process of moving livestock between Northern Ireland and Great Britain simpler. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the numbers of cattle and sheep exported from Northern Ireland to Britain decreased sharply in 2021. Stakeholders, Defra and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) are hoping to find a solution that streamlines live imports and exports of sheep and cattle.  National…

More financial support is needed to prevent suckler farmers leaving claim the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). Roscommon IFA branch chair Jim O’Connor said suckler farmers are concerned about the sector’s viability. “There are huge numbers of beef cows being culled and reduced from the national herd and that is very regrettable. We need to get more financial support to maintain the suckler herd and the viability of family farms in…

Saturday’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 wet and windy start on Thursday, with outbreaks of rain clearing eastwards during the morning, followed by sunny spells. There will be frequent blustery showers, some heavy with hail and isolated thunderstorms. As the day progresses the showers will turn increasingly wintry, with sleet or snow in some areas by evening. Afternoon highs of 4 to 8C turning colder by the evening, in a fresh to strong and gusty southwest…

Restoring peatland can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and provide financial benefits for farmers, according to a new report. Peatlands are lands on peat soils that comprise of at least 80 per cent organic material. If they are still actively forming new peat they have been named as the most space efficient place for long-term carbon store and sink. The study was carried out by the EU Carbon-Connects and…