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.

Farmer’s view on avoiding pitfalls of an ‘inheritance nightmare’

Rural Life

Farmer’s view on avoiding pitfalls of an ‘inheritance nightmare’

One farmer has called for what he describes as “an inheritance nightmare” across many Irish farms over the years to...
TAMS: Approval granted to all applicants in Tranche 22

CAP / Schemes

TAMS: Approval granted to all applicants in Tranche 22

Approval has commenced for all qualified applications received under Tranche 22 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), it has...
Farm Family Draw ‘lifts off’: Monthly prizes of €1,000 to help save lives

Agri-Business

Farm Family Draw ‘lifts off’: Monthly prizes of €1,000 to help save lives

The Farm Family Draw has been established to ensure that farm families receive the support they need when they need...
No kidding: Goats drafted in to keep Howth in check

Agri-Business

No kidding: Goats drafted in to keep Howth in check

A team of Old Irish Goats have been drafted in to partake in a conservation grazing project on Howth Head...
3 dead following shooting incident in rural Kerry

Rural Life

3 dead following shooting incident in rural Kerry

Three people were found dead following a shooting incident in a rural area in Co. Kerry yesterday evening (Tuesday, September...
Farm to Fork strategy ‘must not be made untenable’ for agri-food

Agri Politics

Farm to Fork strategy ‘must not be made untenable’ for agri-food

The Farm to Fork strategy must not be made “untenable” for the agri-food sector, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)...
GDT bounce continues with back-to-back boosts in index

Dairy

GDT bounce continues with back-to-back boosts in index

The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) index has recorded a strong second lift in index, marking back-to-back increases in its latest...
Derogation farmers: Do you know your hedge-cutting commitments?

CAP / Schemes

Derogation farmers: Do you know your hedge-cutting commitments?

As hedge-cutting starts up once more across the Irish countryside, farmers who avail of the Nitrates Derogation should take heed...
MEP urges DAFM to withdraw burning sanctions from Kerry farmers

Agri Politics

MEP urges DAFM to withdraw burning sanctions from Kerry farmers

An MEP has called on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to withdraw sanctions imposed on the...
AGRIFISH told: Young farmers ‘key’ to unlock rural potential

Agri Politics

AGRIFISH told: Young farmers ‘key’ to unlock rural potential

Young farmers are a “key component to unlock the potential of rural areas”, according to European young farmer association CEJA....
New solid fuels standards ‘cautiously welcomed’

Environment

New solid fuels standards ‘cautiously welcomed’

New solid fuels standards revealed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications have been “cautiously welcomed” by the...
Video: Firefighters called out to tackle bale blaze in Meath

Rural Life

Video: Firefighters called out to tackle bale blaze in Meath

Firefighters were called out to tackle a large blaze of straw bales in Meath over the weekend, with some startling...
Key considerations for rural crime prevention on farms

Rural Life

Key considerations for rural crime prevention on farms

With the year pushing on, and darker evenings on the horizon, farmers will be keeping an eye on securing their...
Owner sought for quad found on walking path

Rural Life

Owner sought for quad found on walking path

The owner of a quad that was found on a walking path in Co. Cavan over the weekend has been...
Farmer convicted and fined €1,000 for destroying hedgerow

Rural Life

Farmer convicted and fined €1,000 for destroying hedgerow

A farmer from Offaly was convicted and fined for destroying a hedgerow during the bird nesting season over the summer...
Banagher Chilling: ‘Serious questions’ over planning ‘saga’

Agri-Business

Banagher Chilling: ‘Serious questions’ over planning ‘saga’

“Serious questions” are needed as to why the “planning saga” of Banagher Chilling has been dragging on for so long,...
Fish kill discovered with 500 salmon and trout feared dead

Environment

Fish kill discovered with 500 salmon and trout feared dead

A serious fish kill incident which took place recently in Co. Mayo is being investigated by Inland Fisheries Ireland. The...
Farm death in Sligo prompts investigations

Rural Life

Farm death in Sligo prompts investigations

Investigations are ongoing by authorities following the death of a man in a farm accident in Co. Sligo in recent...