'You're as lucky as a black cat," Tipperary beef farmer John Commins was told by his wife a few weeks ago when the country was basking in perfect barbeque weather as he prepared for the launch of his beef sausages in Aldi stores nationwide.
SINN FÉIN'S plans for the farming sector are "alarming", the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has claimed.
The gradual slide appears to have halted: factory quotes for what hoggets are left in the system have stabilised at last week's price of €4.90/kg plus bonuses, with cull ewes continuing steady at €2.50/kg.
THE switch to online selling for pedigree stock is proving a 'very sticky' trade as breeders and potential buyers get to grips with the new way of doing business.
More than €480 million has been invested on Irish farms over the last five years in infrastructure and equipment which is partly funded under the Targeted Agricultural Measures Scheme (TAMS).
Proposals by Bord Bia to launch a grass-fed beef standard should be welcomed, but it seems the devil could be in the detail of any such scheme.
Energy costs are one of the highest fixed costs on dairy farms, but savings of up to €1,800 per annum can be made by adopting simple energy-efficient technologies.
