Gillian Dufficy

Another year of global cereal abundance on the cards
Another year of global cereal abundance on the cards

European cereal production is expected to be below average for another year, according to the summer short-term outlook report published by...

Can you taste the difference between grass and concentrate-fed beef?
Can you taste the difference between grass and concentrate-fed beef?

Irish grass-fed beef is marketed globally on the strength of its unique colour and taste. Cattle graze for up to...

Maximising grazing in hurricane-like weather conditions
Maximising grazing in hurricane-like weather conditions

Ireland is to feel the effects of Hurricane Gert this weekend as it makes its way across the Atlantic. However,...

Looking to purchase a new 5-star ram?
Looking to purchase a new 5-star ram?

Sheep Ireland will host its annual EuroStar Multi-breed Ram Sale in Tullamore on Saturday, August 26. A record entry of...

So far so good for winter wheat – yields of over 4.5t/ac recorded
So far so good for winter wheat – yields of over 4.5t/ac recorded

Spring barley has just started to be harvested, according to a number of grain merchants around the country. However, combines...

Round bales of straw reaching highs of €20/bale in places
Round bales of straw reaching highs of €20/bale in places

As the harvest progresses, oaten and wheaten straw has now come on the scene. Merchants around the country are reporting...

Sheep marts: Strong farmer demand for quality ewe lambs
Sheep marts: Strong farmer demand for quality ewe lambs

Breeding stock met a better trade at the marts in recent days than has previously been the case in recent...

Cattle marts: Trade remains firm for quality stock
Cattle marts: Trade remains firm for quality stock

An improved trade for forward store cattle and factory-fit steers was reported in a number of marts across the country...

Ewe lambs reach €180 at this year’s Tullow show and sale
Ewe lambs reach €180 at this year’s Tullow show and sale

Some 1,170 sheep were on offer at this year’s Tullow Sheep Breeders Association Show and Sale in Tullow Mart last...

Lamb prices up 10-15c/kg from last week’s low
Lamb prices up 10-15c/kg from last week’s low

Lamb prices are up 10-15c/kg this week, after quotes dropped below €5/kg last week. This news will be welcomed by many...

Popularity of maize as a buffer feed on the increase
Popularity of maize as a buffer feed on the increase

A feeding trend involving maize silage has been noticed on Irish dairy farms over the past number of years. Gordon...

Average suckler cow made a net margin of -€28 in 2016
Average suckler cow made a net margin of -€28 in 2016

Single suckling is the predominant cattle production system in Ireland, according to the 2016 Teagasc National Farm Survey. Data taken from...

Net margins jump by €95/ha on sheep farms in 2016
Net margins jump by €95/ha on sheep farms in 2016

The average mid-season lamb producer had a net margin of €155/ha in 2016, Teagasc’s National Farm Survey (NFS) data has revealed. The...

Maize crops have ‘jumped out of the ground’ since June
Maize crops have ‘jumped out of the ground’ since June

After a slow start up to June 1, maize crops have caught up now having “jumped out of the ground”, according...

A good combine driver can help next year’s harvest
A good combine driver can help next year’s harvest

Winter barley yields have been a mixed bag and yields have ranged from 3t/ac up to 4.25t/ac so far this...

Oilseed rape – one of the better stories so far this harvest
Oilseed rape – one of the better stories so far this harvest

With winter barley yields back 10-15% nationally, it has been a difficult start to the harvest. Grain merchants across the...

Sheep marts: Trade improves for breeding stock, but lamb prices ease again
Sheep marts: Trade improves for breeding stock, but lamb prices ease again

Trade for breeding stock has improved at the marts in recent days, with demand for ewe lambs and breeding ewes...

Top 33% of farms produced 7,000L more milk per hectare in 2016
Top 33% of farms produced 7,000L more milk per hectare in 2016

Irish dairy farms produced, on average, 11,087L/ha of milk in 2016, according to Teagasc National Farm Survey. This is a...