Sylvester Phelan

Sylvester Phelan Profile Picture

News Journalist

Sylvester Phelan holds a Masters of Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from UCD as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history (also from UCD), and the Green Cert. He is from a dairy farm in Co. Laois, where he works on the weekends.

Woman dies in hunting accident in Tipperary

Rural Life

Woman dies in hunting accident in Tipperary

A woman died in a hunting accident over the weekend in Co. Tipperary. The woman, Maria O’Grady – who was...
A ‘Hard Brexit’ could result in loss of 32,000 meat industry jobs

Agri-Business

A ‘Hard Brexit’ could result in loss of 32,000 meat industry jobs

A new report on the potential impact of a ‘Hard Brexit’ on the European meat market makes for grim reading...
Aurivo moves to lower October milk price

Dairy

Aurivo moves to lower October milk price

The Aurivo board has set the base milk price for October as 36.5c/L, a drop of 0.5c/L on September supplies....
Farm safety conference: How do we reduce farm death toll?

Rural Life

Farm safety conference: How do we reduce farm death toll?

The National Conference on Farm Safety and Health was hosted today by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Teagasc,...
Update: Arrabawn and Dairygold announce October milk prices

Dairy

Update: Arrabawn and Dairygold announce October milk prices

Arrabawn has become the latest processor to announce its milk price for October supplies; similar to other processor announcements made so...
Achieving beef market access to South Korea a ‘very high priority’

Agri-Business

Achieving beef market access to South Korea a ‘very high priority’

The Irish government’s trade mission to Japan and South Korea continued today as its Korean stage kicked off with the first...
‘Financial stability essential for agricultural climate action’

Environment

‘Financial stability essential for agricultural climate action’

Farming – in Ireland or other EU countries – should not be framed in a negative light in relation to...
IPM a key component as new grassland pesticide course is launched

Grass

IPM a key component as new grassland pesticide course is launched

A new course has been launched by Teagasc – in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine...
‘Women in STEM’ centre focus for Teagasc in Science Week ’17

Rural Life

‘Women in STEM’ centre focus for Teagasc in Science Week ’17

A new publication, titled Teagasc Women in STEM , has been launched by Teagasc as part of its activities for...
Boost for the north-west as new forestry office opens its doors

Forestry

Boost for the north-west as new forestry office opens its doors

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle officially opened forestry consultancy firm Veon’s...
Rural crime top of the agenda as farmers’ group meets Justice Minister

Rural Life

Rural crime top of the agenda as farmers’ group meets Justice Minister

Rural people want more resources in community policing, stiffer sentences for repeat offenders and closer consultation between rural stakeholders, local...
‘Homeowners need to protect themselves’ as half of all septic tanks fail inspection

Rural Life

‘Homeowners need to protect themselves’ as half of all septic tanks fail inspection

Homeowners need to take action to protect themselves, their families and neighbours from risks posed by septic tanks, according to...
Concerns over potential EU SMP intervention change

Dairy

Concerns over potential EU SMP intervention change

Reports that the 2018 intervention for skimmed milk powder will be via tender rather than the current regulation price of...
National Hereford Calf Show takes place this weekend

Beef

National Hereford Calf Show takes place this weekend

The fourth annual National Hereford Calf Show was launched by Minister for Heritage and Culture, Heather Humphreys, at this year’s...
Barn fire in the midlands

Rural Life

Barn fire in the midlands

There has reportedly been a fire at a hay barn in Co. Laois earlier this evening (Thursday, November 9), according...
Rural isolation and mental health info night on tonight

Rural Life

Rural isolation and mental health info night on tonight

There will be a special information night – titled Rural Isolation, Mental Health and Learning to Cope – on this evening...
Dairy diary date: National Dairy Conference just around the corner

Dairy

Dairy diary date: National Dairy Conference just around the corner

The National Dairy Conference is set to take place on Tuesday, November 28, and Wednesday, November 29, at the Lyrath...
45% of agricultural crimes go unreported, new survey reveals

Rural Life

45% of agricultural crimes go unreported, new survey reveals

The issue of agricultural crime is a far bigger issue than official Garda statistics would suggest, according to Irish Cattle...