Megan O'Brien

Megan O

News Journalist

Megan studied at the Technological University of Dublin where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She previously won the Science Foundation Ireland prize for work around agtech and food tech at the Student Media Awards. Megan comes from a rural background in Kildare and has a keen interest in agri-business and agtech, as well as sustainable agriculture.

Survey: 48% of invoices in agri-food sector paid late last summer

Agri-Business

Survey: 48% of invoices in agri-food sector paid late last summer

More than one third of invoices in the agri-food industry were paid late, and over half of transactions were on...
Nitrates regulations: Breaches to be penalised with payment cuts

Dairy

Nitrates regulations: Breaches to be penalised with payment cuts

Farmers who are found to breach compliance with the new nitrates regulations upon inspection could be faced with a financial...
Ships carrying 335,000t of agri produce depart Ukraine

Agri-Business

Ships carrying 335,000t of agri produce depart Ukraine

Six Ukrainian ships loaded with 335,000t of agricultural produce left Ukraine via ports in Odesa yesterday (Thursday, January 6), under...
Weekend weather: Cloudy and wet conditions to continue

Rural Life

Weekend weather: Cloudy and wet conditions to continue

Cloudy skies and periodic showers look set to remain in place for the next few days as a band of...
Investigation underway after bags of excrement thrown at TDs

Rural Life

Investigation underway after bags of excrement thrown at TDs

Gardaí have confirmed that an investigation has been launched following an incident whereby bags of excrement were thrown at two...
IGGG regional meeting ‘open to all interested in tillage’

Tillage

IGGG regional meeting ‘open to all interested in tillage’

The impact of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), changes in the nitrates regulations and the Climate Action Plan are...
Extension to derogation on burning green waste sought

Rural Life

Extension to derogation on burning green waste sought

Calls have been issued to extend the exemption for the controlled burning of agricultural green waste due to a lack...
ABP to sponsor farm safety award at BT Young Scientist event

Rural Life

ABP to sponsor farm safety award at BT Young Scientist event

ABP Food Group has announced that it will be sponsoring the Farm Safety award at the upcoming 2023 BT Young...
Factories must recognise breakeven price for finishers – ICMSA

Beef

Factories must recognise breakeven price for finishers – ICMSA

Factories have been warned that a reluctance to pay farmers breakeven prices in the first half of 2023 could result...
Man (20s) dies following tractor incident in Galway

Rural Life

Man (20s) dies following tractor incident in Galway

Gardaí are investigating all circumstances after a man in his 20s was killed in a farming incident involving a tractor...
Wool worth more than €3,000 donated for Roscommon hospice

Rural Life

Wool worth more than €3,000 donated for Roscommon hospice

A new hospice building in Co. Roscommon received a funding boost recently after more than 50 sheep farmers around the...
French dairy herd to decline by 441,000 head by 2030

Dairy

French dairy herd to decline by 441,000 head by 2030

More than one quarter of dairy farms in France closed down over the past ten years, with a further decline...
Minister announces €2.25 million for BVD eradication in 2023

Beef

Minister announces €2.25 million for BVD eradication in 2023

The Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced €2.25 million in funding to continue Bovine Viral...
Ag-tech and sustainability trends forecast to accelerate in 2023

Agri-Business

Ag-tech and sustainability trends forecast to accelerate in 2023

Significant trends in the agri-food industry are expected to emerge in 2023, following a challenging year which exposed a number...
A case for craft butchers: Not just for Christmas

Rural Life

A case for craft butchers: Not just for Christmas

Animal welfare, lower food miles and support for your local economy are all reasons to back independent craft butchers, yet...
Climate Action Plan ‘misses the mark’ for rural dwellers

Rural Life

Climate Action Plan ‘misses the mark’ for rural dwellers

The Climate Action Plan’s focus on addressing the energy needs of homes and businesses is too narrow and excludes dwellers...
€4.8 million in payments issued under energy support scheme

Rural Life

€4.8 million in payments issued under energy support scheme

Payments worth a combined €4.8 million will be issued to more than 1,800 businesses including some large-scale farmers over the...
Climate Action Plan: 8 key targets for agriculture sector

Environment

Climate Action Plan: 8 key targets for agriculture sector

The new Climate Action Plan has identified eight key targets for the agriculture sector including a 300,000t cap on chemical...