Seán Cummins

Seán Cummins Profile Picture

Seán Cummins holds an honours degree in Animal Science for UCD. At AgriLand, he has a particular focus on the beef, dairy and sheep sectors.

Dairy focus: Why one 700-cow farm decided to go down the robotic milking route

Dairy

Dairy focus: Why one 700-cow farm decided to go down the robotic milking route

Milking 700 cows just outside Ardstraw, Jason Mitchell is the fourth generation of his family to milk cows in Co....
5 steps to improve soil fertility on your farm

Grass

5 steps to improve soil fertility on your farm

Delegates arrived in Kilkenny this week for Teagasc’s Soil Fertility Conference, where the importance of optimal soil fertility levels were...
Crowds gather for Teagasc Soil Fertility Conference

Environment

Crowds gather for Teagasc Soil Fertility Conference

Hundreds of delegates gathered in Kilkenny today for Teagasc’s annual Soil Fertility Conference. John Spink, head of Teagasc’s Environment, Crops...
Sheep trade: Factories begin to up their game on spring lamb prices

Sheep

Sheep trade: Factories begin to up their game on spring lamb prices

The spring lamb trade appears to be strengthening and stronger base quotes are available in some locations. Kepak Athleague is...
Cattle marts: Forward bullocks lead the way

Beef

Cattle marts: Forward bullocks lead the way

As is normally the case this time of year, weekly cattle sales are beginning to increase in marts across the...
EU live cattle exports expected to ‘weaken significantly’ in second half of 2018

Beef

EU live cattle exports expected to ‘weaken significantly’ in second half of 2018

The number of live cattle exported out of the EU during the first half of 2018 was 11% higher than...
Time to focus on body condition score

Dairy

Time to focus on body condition score

Although many spring-calving dairy herds will continue to milk on into late November and early December, the importance of body...
August suckler births at the lowest point in 3 years

Beef

August suckler births at the lowest point in 3 years

Figures have pointed to a slight reduction in the number of calves registered to beef cows – suckler calvings in...
4 things to consider when grazing forage crops

Grass

4 things to consider when grazing forage crops

After the summer that’s just been, many farmers have grown and will graze forage crops for the first time this...
Grassland focus for Teagasc soil fertility conference

Environment

Grassland focus for Teagasc soil fertility conference

Teagasc’s annual soil fertility conference, titled ‘Optimising soil and fertiliser management for Sustainable Grassland Production’, is set to take place...
Factory feedlot buyers switch focus to quality heifers at the ringside

Beef

Factory feedlot buyers switch focus to quality heifers at the ringside

Although a topic of much debate recently, factory feedlot buyers are continuing to make their presence felt at the ringside....
EU milk production expected to climb 0.9% in 2019

Dairy

EU milk production expected to climb 0.9% in 2019

Given the sustained demand for EU dairy products, milk collections could grow by 0.9% in the EU in 2019, a...
More bite to spring lamb trade, but factories slow to offer higher quotes

Sheep

More bite to spring lamb trade, but factories slow to offer higher quotes

More bite appears to be entering the spring lamb trade and deals are beginning to be done at higher prices....
More Northern Irish lambs head south for slaughter

Sheep

More Northern Irish lambs head south for slaughter

The number of Northern Irish lambs, which crossed the border for direct slaughter in the Republic of Ireland, stood at...
Pics: Fermoy Mart gearing up for 2 ‘complete’ dairy clearance sales

Dairy

Pics: Fermoy Mart gearing up for 2 ‘complete’ dairy clearance sales

Fermoy Mart will host two “complete” dairy clearance sales over the coming weeks and 300 head of dairy stock will...
Sheep marts: Stores lead the way; but factory lambs struggle to make €100/head

Sheep

Sheep marts: Stores lead the way; but factory lambs struggle to make €100/head

After a summer of uncertainty, grass supplies have increased and farmers are back in the market – although slowly –...
What’s the ‘Future Growth Loan Scheme’ and when will it be available?

Agri-Business

What’s the ‘Future Growth Loan Scheme’ and when will it be available?

As part of Budget 2019, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure – Paschal Donohoe – announced details of the...
Details of new €40/head suckler scheme begin to emerge

Beef

Details of new €40/head suckler scheme begin to emerge

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, is expected to announce the availability of funding for a new €20 million beef...