Irish Farmers Journal podcasts

At Saturday’s 'Stop the Flooding' Rally in Athlone, Irish Farmers Journal reporter Aine Hennessy spoke with farmers who have been badly affected by the recent flooding of the river Shannon. There, she also met IFA flood project chair Tom Turley and the three IFA presidential candidates Henry Burns, Joe Healy and Flor McCarthy.Markets specialist Phelim O'Neill discusses the consequences of a potential UK exit from the European Union for Irish farmers north and south of the border with digital editor Thomas Hubert.With two days to go to the general election, Irish Farmers Journal reporter Odile Evans caught up with independent candidate and farmer Michael Fitzmaurice TD at Ballinasloe mart.Patrick Donohoe and Pat O'Toole of the Irish Farmers Journal news desk discuss farmers' opinions on controversial levies, the IFA president's pay and the full-time farming requirement for the position, based on the findings of an exclusive RedC poll.Kenneth O'Brien, head of the 'Forgotten Farmer' group, speaks with farm finance specialist Peter Young at a meeting called to examine the situation of young farmers who fell through the cracks of support schemes.At the national potato conference, Amy Fitzgibbon speaks with Cliona Lynch of Kantar Worldpanel and Lorcan Bourke, potato sector manager with Bord Bia, about the state of Ireland's domestic potato market and ideas to boost consumption.At Gulfood 2016 in Dubai, Eoin Lowry meets Ornua's marketing director for the Middle East, Kevin Friel, about the new market opportunities for Irish dairy. He also speaks with John Spicer, ingredients sales manager for the Middle East, about the type of ingredients these new markets are demanding.Ciara Leahy talks to careers editor Mary Phelan about employment opportunities at the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir Agri Careers Fair in the RDS on 3 March.And ahead of this weekend's 6 Nations clash, former Irish rugby international John Hayes writes about his experience of playing the English in this week's Irish Country Living. He shares his memories with Joe Lenehan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Patrick Donohoe and Pat O'Toole of the Irish Farmers Journal news desk discuss the results of a poll of 1,000 farmers ahead of next week's general election. On the campaign trail, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin answered Patrick Donohoe's question on the party's commitment to a €200/cow suckler premium. Co Meath farmer Michael Garrigan only went to bed for a couple of hours last Friday night, but that was enough for thieves to break into his house and steal his car keys. He told his story to digital editor Thomas Hubert. South Dublin County Council this week refused to install grids on local roads to manage animal movements on commonages. News correspondent Odile Evans speaks with local farmer Donie Anderson. Suckler farmer and Irish Farmers Journal contributor Tommy Moyles is featured in this week's Irish Country Living for his participation in a play staged by an award-winning drama group - all in the middle of calving season. Aisling Hussey visited him in Co Cork. Finally, Irish Country Living editor Mairead Lavery speaks with Colin Crosbie, former curator of the RHS Garden at Wisley and he was also head gardener for the Queen Mother. His has advice on how to create a late spring tiered garden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Public debates between candidates for IFA president and deputy president began on Monday. We bring you extracts from the debate, farmers' reactions and analysis by Irish Farmers Journal news editor Patrick Donohoe and news correspondent Pat O'Toole. On the general election campaign trail, news journalist Odile Evans spoke with Labour party leader and Tánaiste Joan Burton as she visited the food processing company Country Crest in Co Dublin this Monday.She also recorded Sinn Féin's Mayo county councillor Rose Conway-Walsh as she spelled out her party's farming and rural life manifesto. As dairy commodity markets show no sign of recovery, dairy editor Jack Kennedy met the former editor of Kerry Group, Denis Brosnan and asked him for his outlook for the sector. On the beef side, Phelim O'Neill spoke with Debbie Boucher of AHDB Beef And Lamb on the prospects in the UK market at her organisation's meat outlook conference in London. There, he also asked Professor Alan Matthews from Trinity College about the implications of a Brexit scenario for farmers in Britain and Ireland. Rugby legend John Hayes contributes to Irish Country Living during the Six Nations. In conversation with Joe Lenehan, he reflects on the career of his former teammate Paul O’Connell, who retired from play this week. Some subscribers to Virgin’s pay TV service have received notice that the company will not keep them as customers. Irish Country Living consumer editor Ciara Leahey and editor Mairead Lavery have more details. Finally, Mairead Lavery met garden historian Jennifer Harmer at the recent snowdrop gala, and she tells us more about the best loved flower of the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles Chavasse, a vet with the animal health company Zoetis, spoke about best practices to keep new arrivals healthy in a cattle herd at the recent beef finishing masterclass at Lisbeg Farms, Eyrecourt, Co Galway.Also speaking at the event was Joe Burke, who is charge of the beef sector at Bord Bia. Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert asked him for his view of the market this coming year, and how farmers should prepare for it - from prices to specifications. The upcoming British referendum on EU membership presents the prospect of a Brexit scenario. Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill told Irish Farmers Journal Northern Ireland editor David Wright about the risks this poses for agriculture in Ireland north and south. Also in Northern Ireland, figures released in the past few days show that farm incomes in the region have suffered a dramatic 41% fall in the past year. David Wright met Alan Irwin, a dairy farmer at the heart of this crisis. Energy generation is often presented as an alternative way of making money, and it was discussed at two conferences this past week – one on bioenergy, and another one on solar power, where Irish Farmers Journal news journalist Odile Evans spoke with Michael Quirk, the chairman of Energy Cork. The European scheme LEADER has funded hundreds of projects in rural Ireland over the years. Many organisations depending on it are coming up for renewal, and their managers are worried about government interference in the scheme. Irish Country Living editor Mairead Lavery met one of them: Declan Rice, CEO of Kilkenny LEADER Parternship.Irish Country living’s health correspondent Margaret Hawkins has an interview with a woman suffering from early onset dementia in this week’s edition. She told consumer Ciara Leahy about the signs that can help you detect the disease and the consequences it can have on people’s lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's Irish Farmers Journal looks in detail at the recent evolution of fertiliser prices. Agribusiness editor Eoin Lowry and farm finance specialist Peter Young discuss how much cheaper various types of fertilisers have become and how farmers should plan their purchases for the season ahead. Northern Ireland correspondent Peter McCann was at the Young Farmers Club of Ulster’s conference at the weekend and he met Jonathan Birnie, the company’s head of agriculture, for an update on what factories expect from beef farmers. Teagasc advisor Grainne Hurley speaks with Irish Farmers Journal dairy specialist Aidan Brennan during the first of Teagasc's spring grass walks on the farm of Peter Hynes near Bandon in Co Cork. Irish Farmers Journal reporter Odile Evans met beef exporter Dorene Mallon at the Lismullin agriculture seminar and asked her about the importance of branding Irish beef for export markets. We are just a few weeks away from the first agri careers fair organised by the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir on the 3rd of March. Irish Country Living careers editor Mary Phelan knows all about the plans for the event; she answered questions from consumer editor Ciara Leahy. Finally, this week's Irish Country Living offers information and advice for people suffering of tinnitus, this annoying buzzing in your ears. Health correspondent Margaret Hawkins tells us more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All three candidates for IFA president are interviewed in this week's Irish Farmers Journal. Pat O’Toole spoke with Henry Burns, Paul Mooney interviewed Joe Healy and Patrick Donohoe met Flor McCarthy.Last week, livestock specialist Peter Varley was in Bristol for the Global Farm Platform conference and he met Graeme Martin, from the University of Western Australia. They talked about rotational grazing in a dry environment and controlling parasites in sheep the Australian way.For the past two years, Macra has also been providing a land mobility service to bring together farmers interested in arrangements such as long-term leases, partnerships or share-farming. The service's manager, Austin Finn, spoke with Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert.Finally, you may feel dizzy at times, or about to lose your balance. Irish Country Living health correspondent Margaret Hawkins has the latest on diagnostics and treatments for such vestibular disorders and she spoke with features editor Maria Moynihan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Farmers Journal news editor met minister for agriculture, Simon Coveney, for his last interview before the general election, to be published in this week’s edition and at www.farmersjournal.ie. He asked him about the challenges he faced in the past five years, late farm payments and progress at the beef forum.Bord Bia has released its report on Irish food exports for 2015, showing 3% growth to a record €10.8bn. The agency is also to open new offices in Singapore and Warsaw. Chief executive Aidan Cotter answers digital editor Thomas Hubert's questions. Kevin Grier of Market Analysis and Consulting Inc. told news journalist Odile Evans that exporting beef to America may not be as straightforward as it seems.Northern Ireland correspondent Peter McCann met Paul Temple, chair of cereals and oilseed at the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, to get his views on the evolution of grain prices and profitability on tillage farms. Carbon emissions are becoming increasingly important in the way consumers choose their food, and livestock farming has a bad reputation in this area. But Dr John Hyland of Teagasc told Odile Evans that shifting away from meat and dairy is not a solution for environmentally conscious consumers. Ciaran Lenehan talks improving relationships with factories, synchronising cattle and why a breeding focused agenda works for him. Online journalist Amy Fitzgibbon met Diana Bura and Maria Louise Fufezan from Balbriggan in Co Dublin, who won the top prize at the BT Young Scientist exhibition for researching enzymes in animal feed.And Irish Country Living consumer editor Ciara Leahey has advice to help you get your personal finances in order this new year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This New Year marks the opening of election season – not only at the IFA, but also for the general election expected early this spring.Renua was the first party to present their manifesto to voters this week and they had a number of proposals for farmers. Irish Farmers Journal news journalist Odile Evans met two of Renua’s candidates.News correspondent Pat O'Toole discusses the expectations of rural voters with news editor Patrick Donohoe.One of your New Year’s resolution may well be to draw up a health plan for your herd. Let’s listen in as Cork-based Irish Farmers Journal contributor Tommy Moyles goes through the exercise wit his vet. In this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, we also go through the HSA’s annual report on fatal accidents at work. While the numbers showed an improvement in 2015, 18 people still lost their lives on Irish farms.At the end of last year, the Irish Farmers Journal and ESB Networks launched the Safe Family Farms campaign to help change the mentality that allows so many tragedies to take place. We received support from Kildare tillage farmer Michael O’Brien, who survived an accident 40 years ago and told his story to digital editor Thomas Hubert.And Irish Country Living journalist Mary Phelan met Sarah Kinsella, one of the few women to develop their career in the greyhound industry. She tells consumer editor Ciara Leahy what she discovered when interviewing Sarah Kinsella for this week’s edition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Farmers Journal specialists discuss their highs and lows of 2015 and their expectations for 2016 in the dairy, tillage, beef and agribusiness sectors; and editor Justin McCarthy shares his outlook for Ireland's export markets and his plans for the Irish Farmers Journal in the coming year.News journalist Odile Evans reports on the expectations for the coming year in the beef sector in this week’s edition, and she interviewed Mattie Kelly, a 23-year-old suckler farmer in Dysart, Co Roscommon.The sweeping change initiated at the head of the IFA will extend well into the New Year, with a presidential election in the works and still a lot of uncertainty. Digital editor Thomas Hubert asked news correspondent Pat O’Toole to explain the latest developments in the crisis. Finally, Thomas Hubert meets the newest contributor to our Farmer Writes column, Kieran Sullivan. Kieran is a part-time sheep and forestry farmer in Co Waterford and has just begun to revive the family farm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Irish Farmers Journal news correspondent Paul Mooney has the latest on government plans to extend the allowable period to cut hedges or burn vegetation on hills. He spoke with digital editor Thomas Hubert.There was a surprise announcement at the weekend that World Trade Organisation member states had agreed to scrap export subsidies. This is just one development in the fast-moving world of international trade agreements and Irish Farmers Journal markets specialist Phelim O’Neill discussed the latest news with digital editor Thomas Hubert. Christmas is all about children and one father who will definitely spend some time with his family this week is Irish Farmers Journal 'Farmer writes' contributor Ronan Delany. His farm is a busy enterprise with sheep, cattle and an agri-tourism business, but he told digital editor Thomas Hubert that the birth of his daughter has changed the way he farms.Irish Country Living journalist Aisling Hussey visited the Duhallow choir, a pillar of rural community in Kanturk, Co Cork, as they rehearsed Christmas carols earlier this month. The group is featured in this week's edition.And consumer editor Ciara Leahy has recipes to solve the eternal dilemma of Christmas dinner leftovers in this week’s edition. She shared a few tips from the Irish Countrywomen's Association's Book of Christmas with journalist Mary Phelan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past week has seen catastrophic flooding around the country, and the river Shannon has been especially devastating to its neighbours. One of them is Shannonbridge dairy farmer John Claffey, the secretary of the Shannon Flood Committee in the IFA. He tells news journalist Odile Evans that lack of investment in the river's maintenance has made things worse. Now that the Paris climate summit is over, attention is turning to solutions in tackling climate change at home. Ireland is placing a lot of hope in expanding its forests, and digital editor Thomas Hubert sat down with forestry specialist Donal Magner to take a good look at the sector and the way it can develop alongside traditional farming.At the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Winter Fair, Irish Farmers Journal Northern Ireland correspondent Peter McCann met Gabriel D'Arcy, chief executive of the newly merged LacPatrick dairy co-op, and asked him about the level of investment and the prospects in the industry. Finally, third-year student and beef farmer Sarah Armstrong received a bursary from the Irish Farmers Journal to travel to Sommet de l'Elevage, the main livestock show in France, this autumn. Editor Justin McCarthy caught up with her on her farm near Killashandra in Co Cavan after her trip. This interview was recorded by Louise Denvir of RTE Countrywide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the Irish Farmers Journal revealed plans by Larry Goodman’s ABP to buy a 50% stake in Slaney Foods, which also includes Irish Country Meats. News editor Patrick Donohoe asked markets specialist Phelim O’Neill what the proposed deal means for the industry – and for beef farmers. Odile Evans has a detailed report in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal about those young farmers who did the right thing and formed a partnership with their parents to organise the transfer of the family farm, but now find themselves excluded from the Young Farmer Scheme. She discusses the situation with Derrie Dillon, who is in charge of agri affairs at Macra na Feirme. Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing in Paris to reach a global agreement on climate change by Friday. Digital editor Thomas Hubert met IFA environment chairman Harold Kingstong and Evelyn Nguleka, the president of the World Farmers Organisation.Farmer Writes contributor Brian Nicholson is a sheep farmer in Co Kilkenny and he’s experimenting with a number of new things at the moment, from AI to resuming tillage after many years without growing crops. And Irish Country Leaving’s features editor Maria Moynihan talks to the turkey farmer featured in this week’s magazine and asks him about his farm – and his secret roasting tips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Irish Farmers Journal news journalist Odile Evans asks Teagasc economist Thia Hennessy what the 2016 economic forecast has in store for Irish farmers. The Northern Ireland helpline Rural Support has seen an increase in calls from farmers experiencing difficulties, its chief executive Jude McCann tells Northern Ireland editor David Wright. Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney speaks to market specialist Phelim O'Neill on a trade mission to Nigeria and Ghana in west Africa about gaining more markets for Irish beef and progress in the beef forum. At the Paris climate conference, digital editor Thomas Hubert met Oisín Coghlan, director of Friends of the Earth Ireland, and Dutch-based academic Geert Jan Nabuurs author of a study on options to use European forests in efforts to combat greenhouse gas emissions. James Mimnagh, contributor to the Farmer Writes column in the Irish Farmers Journal, tells us about his suckler and dairy farm and his plans to use antibiotics less systematically when drying off cows. And Irish Country Living's Aisling Hussey gives us a roundup of Ireland's best Christmas markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Farmers Journal news correspondent Pat O'Toole discusses the continuing pay scandal at the top of the Irish Farmers' Association with news editor Patrick Donohoe. Increasing numbers of members are saying they will leave the organisation. Its environment committee chairman Harold Kingston reflects on the situation with Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert. This week, the CellCheck awards honoured the 500 best dairy farmers in the country in terms of somatic cell counts. Irish Farmers Journal news journalist Odile Evans talked to a couple who made it to the top 10: James and Carmel Croke from Co Tipperary. For another perspective on dairying, Odile also visited a German farm recently. The Stratemann family farm has a turnover of €1.8m with just 75 cows. A group of young Irish farmers travelling there with Macra and Ornua shared their impressions of the visit.This week, the support group Embrace FARM announced that they were setting up a network in Cork to help the families affected by farming accidents. Thomas Hubert recently talked to one of the group’s founders, Brian Rohan. Finally, Irish Country Living editor Ciara Leahy recommends eight wines to impress this Christmas without breaking the bank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, officials at the Department of Agriculture held a briefing to explain what they are doing to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. One of the solutions for Ireland would be to expand forestry – an argument developed by minister of state Tom Hayes.Last week, the R&H Hall industry conference in Maynooth invited several international analysts to share their views on the immediate future for dairy and grain markets. Irish Farmers Journal Northern Ireland correspondent Peter McCann was there and he talked to some of the speakers.We have a great multimedia report at the moment on Farmersjournal.ie looking behind at the scenes at Ornua’s German business. Kerrygold is the leading butter brand in the country and Odile Evans visited their factory. She also went to a local supermarket with one of Ornua’s German marketing executives.Safe Family Farms is a joint campaign of the Irish Farmers Journal and ESB Networks, and the company's managing director Marguerite Sayers explains why her company joined the partnership. Northern Ireland editor David Wright met Lee Leachman, one of the first American breeders to believe in the development of the Stabiliser breed. Mary Phelan has an interview with Colin Connolly, the new rural crime prevention executive at the IFA, in this week’s Irish Country Living. She told digital editor Thomas Hubert about her meeting with Connolly, his plans to help rural communities fight crime and his career move away from An Garda Siochana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past few days have brought a lot of uncertainty for young farmers who are planning to pass the Green Cert before they receive payments from the Young Farmer Scheme or the National Reserve. It is now clear that they must at least start their course before the end of this year to benefit from the schemes. Patrick Donohoe and Amy Fitzgibbon from the Irish Farmers Journal news desk clarify the situation. Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney answers Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert's questions at the launch of the Safe Family Farms campaign in partnership with ESB Networks. He also answers farmers' concerns about the high numbers still waiting on BPS and ANC payments.Beyond the shiny stands and the massive new tractors, Irish Farmers Journal machinery editor James Maloney speaks with Teagasc’s mechanisation specialist Dermot Forristal about the trends emerging from the Agritechnica show that will actually help farmers. Irish Farmers Journal markets specialist Phelim O'Neill interviewed Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter at the launch of the Origin Green progress report on the sustainability of participating food producers. Dr Ruairi Friel is the CEO of Galway-based West Way Health, a company selected for €50,000 of EU funding for the development of non-antibiotic therapy for the treatment of bovine mastitis. And this coming weekend, young farming women from the whole country will compete in Macra’s Queen of the land festival in Tullamore. Dublin contestant Paula Melvin shared her anticipation with Irish Country Living’s consumer editor Ciara Leahy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Irish Farmers Journal machinery editor James Maloney tells digital editor Thomas Hubert what to expect from Agritechnica, the world's largest farm machinery show. With rural crime now at the centre of the public debate, An Garda Síochána launched operation Thor this week to tackle burglaries. Irish Farmers Journal news journalist Odile Evans was there and she brings us Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald’s answers to farmers’ security concerns. Irish Farmers Journal markets specialist Phelim O’Neill interviews Prof Michael Lee of the University of Bristol, who has an interesting take on the role of grass grazing in tackling climate change. He also gets an update on transatlantic trade negotiations from Stan Phillips, the US agriculture counsellor for the UK and Ireland. The Irish Farmers Journal's Northern Ireland editor David Wright interviews David Gibson, director of agriculture at Moy Park, following the sale of the poultry processor to the Brazilian meat giant JBS. And Irish Country Living's consumer editor Ciara Leahy brings us some of the leading voices from the 2015 Women and Agriculture Conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, Irish Farmers Journal markets specialist Phelim O'Neill looks at the details of the WHO report linking processed meat with cancer. He also tells digital editor Thomas Hubert about his reporting on the beef industry in Poland, where Irish-based meat processor ABP owns two factories. We did enjoy a real Indian summer through most of October, but it now looks like more regular rain and the drop in temperatures are here to stay. Irish Farmers Journal dairy specialists Aidan Brennan explains how to make the most of the current grazing conditions. This week's Irish Farmers Journal includes a supplement on the Beef Data and Genomics Programme. Livestock specialists Nathan Tuffy and Darren Carty answer the most common questions asked by our readers about the BDGP scheme. rish Farmers Journal reporter Odile Evans met Christy Kavanagh, a Christmas tree grower in Co Wicklow, at a meeting with the gardai on Wednesday to discuss Operation Hurdle. The scheme brings together the authorities and local communities to prevent the theft of hundreds of trees that used to affect farms in the area during the busy period before Christmas. Odile Evans also attended Macra na Feirme’s national conference last weekend and one of the topics discussed there was access to finance for young farmers. We hear from European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan and 22-year-old farmer Kevin Moran on this issue. And with just a few days left to the pay-and-file deadline, there is still time to make a contribution to your pension for the 2014 tax year. Irish Farmers Journal farm finance specialist Peter Young shares tips to make the most of your pension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glanbia has cut its milk price to 24c/l, with a 1c/l top-up for members of the co-op, and it has announced that it would pay €130/t for green barley. Many farmers feel those prices are too low, and Irish Farmers Journal editor Justin McCarthy sat down with dairy specialist Aidan Brennan, news correspondent Pat O’Toole and agribusiness editor Eoin Lowry to discuss how Glanbia is doing business at the moment. As the the two main companies in the FBD group hold EGMs on 22 October to decide on the sale of the company's hotels and property portfolio, Justin McCarthy and Eoin Lowry discuss the changes planned at the insurer founded by Irish farmers.On Tuesday, the National Dairy Council and Kerrygold held their annual Quality Milk Awards ceremony. Dairy editor Jack Kennedy was on the judging panel and he takes us back to the awards ceremony with online journalist Amy Fitzgibbon. While the maize harvest is in full swing here, Paula Melvin talked to a German farmer who has a very different view of that crop. Where Heinrich Base comes from, maize, rather than grass, is the winter feed of choice for cattle.The Irish Farmers Journal's Fovember campaign - or Movember for farmers - is coming up fast. After being the most successful fundraisers for this men’s health initiative last year, we are taking things up another level, as Peter Young and Aine Hennessy explain.For more information, visit www.farmersjournal.ie/fovember Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following this Tuesday's big budget announcements, Irish Farmers Journal farm finance specialist Peter Young sat down with digital editor Thomas Hubert to crunch some numbers. Reporter Odile Evans was among the 1,500 people attending the large public meeting on rural crime in Thurles last Thursday. Last week, the European rural youth conference took place in Strasbourg and journalist Paula Melvin was there with Macra na Feirme. She spoke with Julia Wagner, a young student from Austria who described a very different way of farming to what we are used to.Also from Austria, MEP Elisabeth Köstinger answers Paula Melvin’s questions on current farming issues in the European Parliament – starting with genetically modified crops, an area where European institutions cannot seem to find an agreement at the moment. Finally, Irish Country Living’s editor Mairead Lavery and consumer editor Ciara Leahy give us an update on the Women in Agriculture coming up at the end of this month – and the tickets are selling fast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just a few days to go to next week's budget announcement, our farm finance specialist Peter Young asks Declan McEvoy, head of tax at IFAC accountants, what farmers can expect. News editor Patrick Donohoe attended the opening of Kerry Group’s new global Technology & Innovation Centre in Naas last week. He asked the chief executive of Kerry Group, Stan McCarthy, what the expansion meant for the company’s original farmer shareholders. Markets specialist Phelim O'Neill is just back from Poland, where he has been meeting members of the farming industry for a series of reports in the Irish Farmers Journal over the next three weeks. He explains that the growing Polish agriculture sector supplies mainly its domestic market - except for beef, where the lack of local demand makes the country a major exporter. Planting season has started for Irish tillage farmers. Journalist Paula Melvin met Meath man Howard Deheane as he started sowing winter wheat in the past few days. This week’s Irish Country Living is reporting on the work of Recovery Haven, an organisation that has been offering cancer patients and their families tremendous support in the past few years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first meeting of the Dairy Forum brought all industry stakeholders together on Tuesday. Irish Farmers Journal digital editor Thomas Hubert spoke with the IFA’s dairy executive Catherine Lascurettes, who took part in the meeting. With two weeks to go to budget day, news editor Patrick Donohoe spoke with politicians as they met farming representatives this week. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys; Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe; and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin answer his questions. Looking back on last week's Ploughing, Amy Fitzgibbon met 15-year-old Conor McKeown, the youngest judge at the National Championship. Irish Country Living's Women in Agriculture conference will take place on 29 October 2015 in Trim, Co Meath and tickets are on sale now. Consumer editor Ciara Leahy tells journalist Mary Phelan about the highlights of the programme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Farmers Journal online journalist Amy Fitzgibbon collected impressions from some of the hundreds of thousands of visitors to this week's National Ploughing Championships. President Michael D Higgins had strong words to highlight the role of farming at the heart of Irish society when he opened the event.Yet rural communities have been plagued by rising crime and Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan visited the Ploughing to explain what the Gardaí are doing to address this issue. News journalist Odile Evans recorded the testimony of John Duggan, a Co Waterford farmer who suffered three successive burglaries.One of the many events hosted on the Irish Farmers Journal’s stand at the Ploughing was the FBD National Farmyard Awards. Irish Country Living’s consumer editor Ciara Leahy spoke to national winner Sean Treacey just after the ceremony.Finally, Amy Fitzgibbon illustrates the wind of innovation and entrepreneurship felt at this year's Ploughing with a visit to the stand of Co Longford-based Lir Agri laboratory at the Local Enterprise Village. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.