Category: News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,”…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Sleet and snow will continue to fall over much of the east, midlands and north. However, there will be rain showers in parts of the south and west. Lowest temperatures of -1 to 2C with fresh south easterly winds. LSL News.

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

Saturday will be mostly cloudy, with just a few bright or sunny intervals. Scattered showers predicted in Leinster and east Ulster, mainly dry further west. Cold temperatures with highs of 4 to 7C and light to moderate north to northeast breezes. LSL News.

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…

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…

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…

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…

Freezing cold weather is predicted for this weekend as baltic conditions move over Ireland. Ireland is set for more snowfall along with heavy rain showers with the risk of hail and isolated thunderstorms are expected.  Met Eireann predicts significant snowfall in some areas next week with snow also set to fall over the weekend. The national forecaster says Friday will bring a cold northerly air-flow with a cold weekend to…

Applications for the Government’s €100m scheme for the Agri-food sector are open to help at this challenging time, confirmed the Tánaiste. The scheme has been set up in recognition of the sector’s unique exposure to the impact of Brexit. Up to €70m is available under the first call, which is being administered by Enterprise Ireland. It is open to large, medium or small enterprises, engaged in the processing and marketing of primary…