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.

IFA leaves processors ‘in no doubt’ on sheep farmers’ anger

Sheep

IFA leaves processors ‘in no doubt’ on sheep farmers’ anger

A farm lobby group has met with Irish sheep processors to express farmers’ anger at the recent lamb price cuts....
Derogation: ‘We can’t have a repeat of what happened in Holland’

Environment

Derogation: ‘We can’t have a repeat of what happened in Holland’

An industry expert has warned that Ireland cannot have “a short, sharp cut off with a nitrate derogation” like what happened...
EU Commission pushes to increase transparency in food supply chain

Agri Politics

EU Commission pushes to increase transparency in food supply chain

The European Commission has today, Wednesday, May 22, presented the ‘third element’ in its efforts to improve fairness in the...
Supermac’s to spend €40 million on Irish farm produce in 2019

Agri-Business

Supermac’s to spend €40 million on Irish farm produce in 2019

The Irish-owned family chain of restaurants – Supermac’s – has announced that it is projecting a spend of €40 million...
New fertiliser regulations adopted for EU market

Agri Politics

New fertiliser regulations adopted for EU market

The EU has adopted new regulations which – according to a statement from the European Council – opens up new...
Can farmers get a ‘derogation’ on wild bird control?

Rural Life

Can farmers get a ‘derogation’ on wild bird control?

Under the terms of the EU Birds Directive, all EU member states, including Ireland, are obliged to take measures to...
Farmer airlifted to hospital after being attacked by cow

Rural Life

Farmer airlifted to hospital after being attacked by cow

A man has been airlifted to hospital following a farm accident that occurred in Baileborough, Co. Cavan, yesterday, Tuesday, May...
Farmer uses pocket knife to amputate leg following auger incident

Rural Life

Farmer uses pocket knife to amputate leg following auger incident

A farmer in the US has suffered a traumatic accident recently when he stepped on the opening of a grain...
‘40% of Irish sheep kill is made up of foreign lambs’ – ICSA

Sheep

‘40% of Irish sheep kill is made up of foreign lambs’ – ICSA

It has been claimed by a sheep farmers’ lobby group that Irish sheep processors’ current kill at present is “made...
Beef Plan Movement ‘to inform Tesco customers of meat margins’ in sector

Beef

Beef Plan Movement ‘to inform Tesco customers of meat margins’ in sector

The Beef Plan Movement is set to commence a campaign next weekend that aims “to inform customers in Tesco retail...
Taoiseach confirms backing of €50 million Government beef funding

Beef

Taoiseach confirms backing of €50 million Government beef funding

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has today, Tuesday, May 21, confirmed that the Government will back €50 million in “very much needed”...
IGA Sheep Conference and Farm Walk set for Thursday

Sheep

IGA Sheep Conference and Farm Walk set for Thursday

This year’s Irish Grassland Association (IGA) Sheep Conference and Farm Walk will take place on Thursday, May 23, in the...
Farmer finds missing calf…buried in badger burrow

Rural Life

Farmer finds missing calf…buried in badger burrow

A farmer has made quite an unexpected discovery in a badger burrow on his farm when he discovered one of...
Doyle ‘ambitious’ for agri-food sector to be ‘highest quality in the world’

Agri Politics

Doyle ‘ambitious’ for agri-food sector to be ‘highest quality in the world’

It has been said that Ireland has the potential to become “the highest-quality food producing country in the world”. European...
Are you Munster’s ‘best innovator’ in farming?

Agri-Business

Are you Munster’s ‘best innovator’ in farming?

This year’s Munster Agricultural Society is set to “honour and acknowledge” the best innovators in the farming industry at its...
UCD’s AgSoc raises ‘staggering €65,000’ for chosen charities

Rural Life

UCD’s AgSoc raises ‘staggering €65,000’ for chosen charities

UCD’s Agricultural Science Society (AgSoc) students have recently handed over a record-breaking donation of €65,000 to their two chosen charities....
‘You don’t know where or when but we could strike again’ – ICSA sheep protest

Sheep

‘You don’t know where or when but we could strike again’ – ICSA sheep protest

The general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has said that the lobby group may stage...
ICSA Sheep Committee stages protest on ‘savage price cuts’

Sheep

ICSA Sheep Committee stages protest on ‘savage price cuts’

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association’s (ICSA’s) Sheep Committee is staging a protest “as processors across the board continue...