Breifne O'Brien

Breifne O

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.

Over 1.2 million calves registered to date this year
Over 1.2 million calves registered to date this year

Latest figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s (ICBF) live statistics show that there have been over 1.2 million calves...

Bullocks over 500kg average €2.96/kg at Ballinrobe Mart
Bullocks over 500kg average €2.96/kg at Ballinrobe Mart

Numbers of cattle available remained steady in the final bullock sale of March at Ballinrobe Mart, Co. Mayo. Commenting on...

Red clover silage schemes and savings available to farms
Red clover silage schemes and savings available to farms

Incorporating red clover into fields predominantly used for silage was the focus of a farm walk on Trevor Atkinson’s farm...

ABP Demo Farm: Calf rearing, cattle grazing and lamb sales
ABP Demo Farm: Calf rearing, cattle grazing and lamb sales

The spring 2024 calf-rearing season is now in full swing on the ABP Demo Farm, with 350 calves bought in...

‘Incessant rainfall’ causing ‘serious issues’ for beef farmers
‘Incessant rainfall’ causing ‘serious issues’ for beef farmers

What is being described as “incessant rainfall” across most of the country is leading to “some serious issues” on beef...

Hereford bulls hit €6,000 at premier sale in Tullamore
Hereford bulls hit €6,000 at premier sale in Tullamore

The Irish Hereford Breed Society (IHBS) hosted its premier Hereford Show and Sale at GVM Tullamore Mart on Saturday, March...

Beef kill: Weekly cattle supply falls as prices edging up
Beef kill: Weekly cattle supply falls as prices edging up

Weekly beef kill figures have been in decline for the past four consecutive weeks up to the week ending Sunday,...

Emerald Expo 2024 event launched at Virginia Show Centre
Emerald Expo 2024 event launched at Virginia Show Centre

Now in its twelfth year, the Emerald Expo event returns to the Virginia Show Centre in Co. Cavan on Saturday,...

‘Plane loads’ of young people leaving Ireland adding to farm labour shortage
‘Plane loads’ of young people leaving Ireland adding to farm labour shortage

The effects of “plane loads of young people leaving Ireland” are being seen in labour shortages on farms nationwide this...

Farmers urged to be wary of lead poisoning of livestock
Farmers urged to be wary of lead poisoning of livestock

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said that lead poisoning cases diagnosed by its veterinary laboratory...

Factory quotes: 5c/kg beef price rises seen at many sites
Factory quotes: 5c/kg beef price rises seen at many sites

This week’s factory quotes have seen the lower price quotes continue to edge up with 5c/kg increases in price quotes...

Watch: The cattle trough design that went viral on TikTok
Watch: The cattle trough design that went viral on TikTok

A slatted shed located in Co. Roscommon with a handy cattle trough design attached to the front feed barrier drew...

Table: How much does it cost to rear a dairy-beef calf?
Table: How much does it cost to rear a dairy-beef calf?

Dairy-beef calves are the lowest-priced cattle available for beef farmers to buy. While the initial purchase cost is generally low,...

Hereford show and sale set for Tullamore this Saturday
Hereford show and sale set for Tullamore this Saturday

The Irish Hereford Breed Society is set to host its Premier Spring Show and Sale at GVM Tullamore Mart, Co....

Factory quotes: Lower prices move up as supplies tighten
Factory quotes: Lower prices move up as supplies tighten

Looking at this week’s factory quotes, the lower price quotes from last week have moved up, while the average and...

Advice on feeding sucklers and beef cattle still housed
Advice on feeding sucklers and beef cattle still housed

While farms in some parts of the country have managed to get cattle out to grass, the reality is that...

60% drop in Irish dairy calf exports to date this year
60% drop in Irish dairy calf exports to date this year

Irish dairy calf exports have fallen by 60% in the first nine weeks of this year compared to the same...

Beef kill: Supplies of finished cattle drop as prices firm-up
Beef kill: Supplies of finished cattle drop as prices firm-up

After a few weeks of price cuts, beef prices appear to have stabilised, as supplies of factory fit cattle are...