Irish Farmers Journal podcasts

Irish Farmers Journal news correspondent Amy Nora Fitzgibbon speaks to Liz McCormack of Lir Agri, a company that addresses industry specific requirements for cleaning and sanitation on dairy farms, in the local enterprise village at the National Ploughing Championships 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the Irish Farmers Journal carries an exclusive interview with Taoiseach Enda Kenny this week. Listen to extracts from the interview on the importance of suckler beef and the "battle ahead" on climate change, discussed by news editor Patrick Donohoe and news correspondent Pat O'Toole.At the Agricultural Science Association’s conference on Friday, Padraig Brennan, Sustainability Development Manager at Bord Bia, said that we should start having a positive discussion about climate change and Irish agriculture. Journalist Odile Evans asked him what he meant by this. One of the many events organised by the Irish Farmers Journal at the National Ploughing Championships is the Innovation Arena, where companies and individuals compete to convince the judges that their invention is the best business idea to meet farmers' needs. Digital editor Thomas Hubert asked machinery editor James Maloney how the contest will unfold. Irish Country Living journalist Mary Phelan tells consumer editor Ciara Leahy about the latest development in social farming, whereby farmers provide social support services to people with special needs by welcoming them on their farms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Farmers Journal news correspondent Paul Mooney was in Brussels on Monday for the EU-wide farmers' protest and special meeting of agriculture ministers. He tells news editor Patrick Donohoe about the atmosphere on the streets and the outcome to be expected from the €500m in support for farm incomes announced by the European Commission. The debate on rural crime heated up again in the past few days and part of the problem is livestock theft, with a growing number of farmers buying insurance against this risk. Digital editor Thomas Hubert talked to Fergal Brady, a sales executive with FBD in the border region, where the problem is most serious. In Co Mayo, the Calvey family are famous for the quality of the Blackface lambs they raise and butcher on Achill Island - so much so that they have trademarked the name Achill for lamb sales. But in recent years, another company, Caoracla, has started to source gourmet lamb sourced from the island and the Currane Peninsula. Thomas Hubert met Caoracla's director Edward Johnston, who is from a sheep farm on Achill Island himself. Irish Country Living is putting the spotlight on mouth cancer ahead of a special awareness day next week. Journalist Mary Phelan explains how a Kildare farmer made it through the disease, but only after he saw his whole life and his farm turned upside down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Irish Farmers Journal reporter Lorcan Allen followed the 2,000 farmers who protested outside the European Commission’s office in Dublin on 31 August. Odile Evans interviews Co Louth pig farmer and FBD Young Farmer Award winner Jonathan Marry.Digital editor Thomas Hubert talks to outgoing Youg Farmer of the year Sean O'Donnell and Teagasc geneticist Donagh Berry, both speakers at the recent Virginia Show's dairy conference.And Irish Country Living's Consumer editor Ciara Leahy explains why the cost of car insurance is going up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast digital editor Thomas Hubert speaks to Irish Farmers Journal livestock specialist Nathan Tuffy about the mart price review, published in this week's paper. News editor Patrick Donohoe asks dairy specialist Aidan Brennan what effect the wet weather conditions of the past few days have had on farms and he also speaks to market specialist Phelim O'Neill about how soon Irish manufacturing beef could be in the US. Finally, Irish Country Living consumer editor Ciara Leahy speaks to journalist Aisling Hussey about farming in Malawi, which Aisling experienced first-hand on her trip to Africa in June, sponsored by the Simon Cumbers media fund. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Michael Brennan, one of the architects of the Quality Payment System (QPS), commonly known as the beef grid, has told the Irish Farmer Journal that the gap in payments between grades no longer reflects the yield and should have been increased as beef prices rose. Markets specialist Phelim O'Neill discusses the proposal with news editor Patrick Donohoe. The Irish Farmer Journal's Northern Ireland correspondent Peter McCann talks to host Declan Rafferty, who hosted a recent Northern Ireland Suckler Beef Programme farm walk, and CAFRE advisor Brian Hanthorn about block calving and innovative ways of reseeding.Gerry Murphy, meteorologist with Met Éireann and one of the presenters of the Farming Forecast on RTE 1, tells Irish Farmers Journal journalist Amy Fitzgibbon that the cold and wet weather in the west in July had do with a track of wind called the jet stream - one of the phenomena he has been watching for nearly 15 years. And Irish Country Living's consumer editor Ciara Leahy and journalist Roisin Healy warn that time is running out to plan works eligible for thousands of euros in tax credit under the Home Renovation Incentive Scheme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Lakeland Dairies and Fane Valley announced that they were combining their milk processing and feed milling operations.The Irish Farmers Journal's news editor Patrick Donohoe met Lakeland’s chief executive Michael Hanley at the Tullamore Show to find out more about the plan. The Irish Farmers Journal's digital editor Thomas Hubert heard the reaction of a dairy farmer supplying Lakeland and talked to some of the tens of thousands of people who visited the Tullamore Show - not all of whom were farmers. Patrick Donohoe also asked IFA deputy president Tim O’Leary about his organisation's Charter for Rural Ireland, and Irish Country Living's Mary Phelan share essential tips for the transition to college life for Leaving Cert students. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a period of heavy rain across the west of Ireland, the Irish Farmers Journal dairy editor Jack Kennedy has more details about the situation and he gives some tips on the management of cattle throughout the wet patch to digital editor Thomas Hubert.FBD Insurance's chief executive Andrew Langford resigned last Friday after seven years in the job. The Irish Farmers Journal’s business editor Eoin Lowry gives digital editor Thomas Hubert an insight into what is happening at the insurance company founded by farmers in the 1960s.The Institute for International and European Affairs and Glanbia have held the last of a series of conferences on agriculture and climate change. Irish Farmers Journal news editor Patrick Donohoe asked the IIEA’s senior research fellow on climate change, Joseph Curtin, about the results of a survey they carried out across the agriculture sector about opinions on upcoming climate change challenges.And Irish Country Living consumer editor Ciara Leahy tells Roisin Healy about the best stalls to visit for fashion and bargains at the Dublin Horse Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Noreen Lanigan, head of Bord Bia for France and Belgium, tells Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert about the impact of French farmers' protests on Irish exports into the country.Tillage editor Andy Doyle updates news correspondent Pat O'Toole on early harvest progress in mixed weather.Northern editor David Wright talks to dairy farmer Brian McCracken, who is making the most of grass on his farm – an unusual choice in his area.And Irish Country Living's Mary Phelan tells consumer editor Ciara Leahy about the reality of returning to the dating scene after a divorce - and shares tips on how to make it a success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, the Irish Farmers Journal's news editor Patrick Donohoe asks IFA chief economist Rowena Dwyer what her organisation is hoping for in Budget 2016. Beef farmer and Irish Farmers Journal contributor Tommy Moyles explains how he switched from weanlings to finishing and why he thinks more research should go into beef farming. IFA Munster chairman James McCarthy took part in an information seminar on the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) organised by Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy in Dublin on 20 July. He voices concerns on the equivalence of standards for food production between the US and the EU and on the transparency of negotiations. And Irish Country Living journalist Mary Phelan tells consumer editor Ciara Leahy how an internship can boost a young graduate's career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Farmers Journal editor Justin McCarthy and markets specialist Phelim O'Neill discuss this week's beef factory price leagues with news editor Patrick Donohoe. Barryroe Co-op topped the Irish Farmers Journal-KPMG Milk Price Review last week. West Cork dairy farmer Harold Kingston, who supplies Barryroe, tells news editor Patrick Donohoe why his co-op paid the best price. Dairy specialist Aidan Brennan talks to Mike Murphy, the influential Cork farmer and businessman who has interests in New Zeland and in the US. He asks him for his outlook on dairy markets for the coming months and advice Irish farmers should follow to ride out the storm.Finally, Irish Country Living editor Mairéad Lavery had a chance to interview the BBC’s top TV gardener Monty Don ahead of his visit to Ireland later this month. She told Ciara Leahy about the lessons she took away from talking to him – on gardening and life in general.To attend Monty Don's talk at the Carlow Garden Festival on 25 July, call +353 (0)59-9130411 or visit www.carlowgardentrail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish Farmers Journal is publishing its annual milk price review in association with KPMG this week. Dairy editor Jack Kennedy talks winners, losers and trends with news editor Patrick Donohoe.Digital editor Thomas Hubert followed this week's joint visit by European Commission officials who are preparing legislation on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry.Macra na Feirme is launching a new training programme for young farmers who want to keep learning new skills after they are finished college, and the Irish Farmers Journal's Amy Fitzgibbon got more details from Macra President Sean Finan. From the Country Living desk, consumer editor Ciara Leahy explains what rural Ireland can expect from all the announcements on the roll-out of broadband to every home in the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At this Wednesday's dairy open day in Moorepark, Irish Farmers Journal online journalist Aisling Hussey talks to our dairy specialist Aidan Brennan and to some of the participants around the grounds.The upcoming TAMS II grant scheme for dairy equipment will open for applications next week: from the Irish Farmers Journal's news desk, Patrick Donohoe asks Paul Mooney about the details of the scheme.This week, Irish Country Living is launching a new edition of the FBD Women in Agriculture Awards to recognize the contribution of exceptional women to Irish farming.Country Living’s editor Mairéad Lavery and consumer editor Ciara Leahy tell us more, and Thomas Hubert interviews former award winner and vegetable grower Tracy Hamilton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish dairy farmers have run up a record superlevy bill for the last year of the quota system, and the full details of who is going to pay what – and when – have emerged in the past few days. Irish Farmers Journal journalist Amy Fitzgibbons asks dairy editor Jack Kennedy for the latest.For a different view on dairy expansion, agribusiness editor Eoin Lowry then talks to feed manufacturer Jimmy Brett.Meanwhile, pig prices have recently picked up after a difficult year. So how are pig farmers doing at the moment - especially in Northern Ireland? Thomas Hubert asked Ulster Farmers’ Union vice-president Ivor Ferguson.And Mary Phelan tells Amy Fitzgibbon of her experience interviewing Ivan Yates for the cover story of Irish Country Living this week. A fascinating character by the sound of it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, dairy editor Jack Kennnedy discusses the latest milk price cuts, and says there is good news too.As the dust settles on the new Beef Data and Genomics scheme, Patrick Donohoe asks for the views of three suckler farmers.Machinery editor James Maloney talks to tillage editor Andy Doyle about upcoming supplements on loaders and tractors, down to the tax implications of investing machinery, as well as the Crops and Spraying event coming up next week.And Irish Country Living's features editor Maria Moynihan introduces the new beauty column – with a promise for make-up tips that don't cost the Earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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After weeks of low prices, the Irish Farmers Journal's livestock journalists Darren Carty and Peter Varley say sheep farmers can now look forward to a better deal and an exciting Sheep 2015 event on 20 June.Food processor Edward tells agribusiness editor Eoin Lowry about Ireland's changing consumer market; and Irish Country Living’s editor Mairead Lavery invites entries from safety-conscious farmers for this year's Farm Yard Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Irish Farmers Journal news correspondents Patrick Donohoe and Pat O'Toole examine the reaction to the publication of CAP payments received by farmers. Reporter Thomas Hubert pays a visit to Co Cavan silage contractor and machinery enthusiast Wesley Strong, who says he is two weeks behind as a result of cold and rainy conditions.Tillage editor Andy Doyle says sprays on winter crops have worked well despite the "awkward weather" and shares some tips from the Sprays supplement for crops and grassland alike. And Klara Heron tells Irish Country Living's Ciara Leahy all about Irish Country Magazine's gold-winning garden at Bloom 2015. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The deadline to apply for the main farming support schemes under the new CAP is falling this Friday.Last week, the Irish Farmers' Journal started a new series of live video broadcasts bringing experts around the editor's table to share the best technical advice. For the first edition, Justin McCarthy invited Brendan Gleeson, who oversees meat policy at the Department of Agriculture; geneticist Andrew Cromie of the ICBF; and IFA’s director of livestock Kevin Kinsella to discuss the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. You can watch the entire show at www.farmersjournal.tvThis Friday is also the deadline to apply for the Basic Payment Scheme, and young farmers have every reason to make sure their forms are handed in on time, with a special top-up and some of them eligible to apply for entitlements from the national reserve. There is also a new support scheme for investment in their farm buildings opening this week. Macra na Feirme was one of the organizations that lobbied hardest to get dedicated support for young farmers: let’s hear from their president Seán Finan and their rural affairs manager Derry Dillon.With beef breeding and farm payments very much in the news, John Egerton, one of the regular contributors to the Farmers Journal's “Farmer writes” column, shares his radical views on both issues.Finally, Irish Country Living’s Money Mentor Peter Young talks to consumer editor Ciara Leahy about the tax implications when parents plan to transfer shares to their children - such as those spun out to them when their co-ops changed their corporate structures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday night, in what was the first of a new series, we hosted a live discussion on the Beef Data & Genomics Programme.Around the Editor's Table will see the Irish Farmers Journal broadcast regular meetings online.This edition focuses on the new Beef Data & Genomics Programme, with representatives from ICBF, the Department of Agriculture and the IFA around the table. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the launch of the annual agribusiness report published by the Irish Farmers Journal in association with KPMG, Today FM's Matt Cooper moderated a discussion between Tesco Ireland's commercial director John-Paul O'Reilly, Google's head of Northern Europe Shane Holland and Channel 4 economics editor Paul Mason. The Irish Farmers Journal's also held a business briefing at the Balmoral Show, where Northern Ireland correspondent talked to Owen Brennan, executive chairman of the Belfast-based animal nutrition company Devenish. Staying at the Balmoral Show, Irish Farmers Journal reporter Thomas Hubert talked to Mike Fraser, a Northern Ireland farmer determined to restore the Dexter breed to its former glory. Finally, Irish Country Living's consumer editor Ciara Leahy tells Roisin Healy about the trends emerging from four years of price monitoring across Ireland's supermarkets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, the Irish Farmers Journal’s dairy editor Jack Kennedy, beef specialist Nathan Tuffy and dairy specialist Aidan Brennan discuss all things spring AI, stock bulls and fertility. Patrick Donohoe attends the European Marts Association AGM in Athlone to talk to mart managers about the future of their sector.Markets specialist Phelim O’Neill explains why the Balmoral Show is such a big event in Northern Ireland.And Irish Country Living's Mary Phelan met cricket star Boyd Rankin at home in Northern Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a week of sustained rainfall all over Ireland, news correspondent Patrick Donohoe quizzes tillage editor Andy Doyle and western livestock specialist Nathan Tuffy on the tough weather conditions – and what farmers can do about them. Farmers Journal agri-business editor Eoin Lowry looks into the disconnect between energy and fertiliser prices, and expects nitrogen costs to ease later this year. Before he left the Farmers Journal last week, former news editor Pat O’Keeffe met Harold Kingston, a West Cork dairy farmer and regular contributor to the popular Farmer Writes column on Farmersjournal.ie. Finally, Irish Country Living's careers and education reporter Mary Phelan profiles David Thornton, an agricultural engineering student enjoying hands-on work experience at Claas's machinery factory in Germany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Farmers Journal has obtained the terms and conditions of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. News editor Pat O'Keeffe gets the details from editor Justin McCarthy and livestock specialist Darren Carty. Pat interviews Longford farmer Mike Magan, chairman of Animal Health Ireland, and Thomas Hubert talks to former Farmers Journal editor Matt Dempsey, who edited the 60th anniversary book "IFA: The Path to Power". Finally, Irish Country Living's Ciara Leahy asks colleague Roisín Healy about her visit to the Co. Wexford farm that has just launched its own home-grown blackcurrant cordial. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Paul Mooney asks the Irish Farmers Journal's CAP specialist Peter Young and the IFA's rural development executive secretary Gerry Gunning whether Irish farmers should take the GLAS plunge before 22 May. Agri-business editor Eoin Lowry looks at Ornua's strong annual results and a couple from New Zealand share their experience of sharemilking with online journalist Aisling Hussey.From the Country Living desk, consumer editor Ciara Leahy asks Peter Young about social welfare entitlements you may have overlooked and education reporter Mary Phelan shares some tips to switch off from social media in the lead up to this summer's exams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Farm Safety Fortnight gets under way, news correspondent Pat O'Toole asks buildings editor Paul Mooney to update us on the TAMS Farm Safety Scheme and on general progress towards safer farming around Irish yards.Tillage editor Andy Doyle has been in the fields up and down the country and tells Pat what he has seen in terms of plant growth and health as well as preparations for new spraying regulations and GLAS.And as spring brings more people into the garden, Irish Country Living's consumer editor Ciara Leahy details how Ireland's gardeners have increased their spending by 22% in the past three years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the US and China turn into Ireland's beef and lamb Eldorado? What to expect from the proposed TTIP transatlantic trade deal? How to breed and process beef for world markets? The Irish Farmers Journal's editor Justin McCarthy and markets specialist Phelim O'Neill discuss the global issues facing Ireland's livestock industry. Also in this episode: Aisling Hussey meets Macra na Feirme's newly elected president Seán Finan; and UTV Ireland newscaster Alison Comyn features on the cover of Country Living with an interview spanning her career from local newspapers to the nation's newest TV channel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Irish Farmers Journal Podcast, news editor Pat O’Keeffe, dairy editor Jack Kennedy and agri-business editor Eoin Lowry discuss the future of the dairy industry as milk quotas become history; Thomas Hubert talks to US beef buyer Bruce Firnhaber; and Mairéad Lavery tells us why Maria Walsh is on the cover of Irish Country Living. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.