Breifne O'Brien

Breifne O

Technical Beef Specialist

Breifne hails from a suckler, beef and sheep farm in Co. Cavan. He studied Agri-Environmental Science in University College Dublin. During his college years, he presented an agri-focused radio show on Belfield FM called 'Keepin' it Country'. In addition to his knowledge and passion for Irish agriculture, he also gained extensive international experience through time spent working on a 4,500-cow dairy farm in South Dakota in the US. He has previously worked in the agri-news sector and more recently has gained professional experience working in cattle procurement in the Irish beef sector.

Reference dates for €100 million beef support fund submission explained

Beef

Reference dates for €100 million beef support fund submission explained

The reference dates used by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) in its submission to the European Commission and the Irish...
Polish authorities confirm ASF on 8,000-head pig farm

Pig/Poultry

Polish authorities confirm ASF on 8,000-head pig farm

An announcement has been made by the Polish Chief Veterinary Officer today, Tuesday, June 4, about an outbreak of African swine...
‘2 out of 3 suckler farmers making a loss from the marketplace’ – Boyle

Beef

‘2 out of 3 suckler farmers making a loss from the marketplace’ – Boyle

The director of Teagasc, Prof. Gerry Boyle, has outlined that “nearly two thirds of suckler farmers are making a loss...
ABP announces new managing director of pet food division

Agri-Business

ABP announces new managing director of pet food division

Irish-based beef processor ABP Food Group has today, Tuesday, June 4, announced a new appointment to the role of managing...
How many marts and factories have EID readers installed?

Sheep

How many marts and factories have EID readers installed?

The extension of Electronic Identification (EID) to all sheep as of June 1, 2019, provides an opportunity to marts and...
Another Healy Rae generation joins the family legacy

Agri Politics

Another Healy Rae generation joins the family legacy

At 24 years-of-age, Kilgarvin, Co. Kerry native Jackie Healy Rae has followed in his family’s footsteps in entering the political...
What do farmers need to know about new sheep tagging rules?

Sheep

What do farmers need to know about new sheep tagging rules?

From tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, all sheep moved both on and off a holding must be identified electronically, in accordance with...
Limerick election candidate blasts locals for not voting for him

Agri Politics

Limerick election candidate blasts locals for not voting for him

A former councillor from Patrickswell, Co. Limerick, who failed to get elected in last week’s local elections, has launched an...
Creed affirms Government’s stance on beef in EU-Mercosur trade deal

Agri Politics

Creed affirms Government’s stance on beef in EU-Mercosur trade deal

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has recently affirmed the Irish Government’s stance on beef in...
Rain to remain over bank holiday weekend

Environment

Rain to remain over bank holiday weekend

Weather will remain unsettled overall and temperatures will gradually become cooler over the bank holiday weekend. According to Met Éireann,...
Sheep farmer incomes take a hit of 21% in 2018

Sheep

Sheep farmer incomes take a hit of 21% in 2018

The average sheep farmer income took a hit of 21% last year as a result of the extreme weather conditions...
Soaring input costs hit dairy incomes in 2018

Dairy

Soaring input costs hit dairy incomes in 2018

Soaring input costs, particularly for feed, hit dairy farm incomes in 2018, resulting in a 31% drop in income, according...
Marts ‘in limbo’ ahead of Saturday’s tagging regulation changes

Sheep

Marts ‘in limbo’ ahead of Saturday’s tagging regulation changes

As the switch to mandatory Electronic Identification (EID) tagging looms ahead of the June 1 transition date, some marts have...
Met Éireann issues national blight warning

Tillage

Met Éireann issues national blight warning

The national forecaster has today, Wednesday, May 29, issued a blight warning to all potato farmers in Ireland. According to...
Inaugural ‘CAP post-2020 meeting’ commences today

CAP / Schemes

Inaugural ‘CAP post-2020 meeting’ commences today

The inaugural meeting of the new CAP post-2020 Consultative Committee has commenced today, Wednesday, May 29. The meeting is being...
What are the specifications for Irish beef to be exported to China?

Beef

What are the specifications for Irish beef to be exported to China?

The specifications for Irish beef to be exported to China have been outlined by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the...
Young farmer generational renewal fund to ‘more than double’ in next CAP

Agri Politics

Young farmer generational renewal fund to ‘more than double’ in next CAP

It has been confirmed today that at least 2% of the “national direct payments envelope” will have to be devoted...
Farmer discovers 5ft Burmese python on lands in Wicklow

Rural Life

Farmer discovers 5ft Burmese python on lands in Wicklow

A farmer has discovered a Burmese python abandoned in the Wicklow Mountains National Park over the weekend. The Irish Society for...