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.

Tesco in hot water with UK farmers over imported beef

Agri Politics

Tesco in hot water with UK farmers over imported beef

Farm organisations in the UK have blasted Tesco’s decision to stock Argentinian beef in a number of its stores. Six...
Just what tyre do you fit to a tractor of this stature?

Machinery

Just what tyre do you fit to a tractor of this stature?

Michelin Tyres has recently fitted its largest set of agricultural tyres – the AxioBib IF 900/65 R46 – onto an...
Owner of stolen tractor in the midlands appeals for information

Rural Life

Owner of stolen tractor in the midlands appeals for information

The owner of a tractor stolen in the midlands last night has appealed for anyone with information to come forward....
Welcome changes made to TAMS tillage specs

Tillage

Welcome changes made to TAMS tillage specs

Modifications have been made to the specifications of the TAMS II tillage scheme with various sections updated. These amendments will...
Video: Vredo creates ‘world’s most powerful’ slurry rig

Machinery

Video: Vredo creates ‘world’s most powerful’ slurry rig

Dutch machinery manufacturer Vredo has developed what it says is the world’s largest and most powerful self-propelled slurry machine – the...
Video: Is this the ultimate ‘alternative tractor’ for wet ground?

Machinery

Video: Is this the ultimate ‘alternative tractor’ for wet ground?

French machinery firm Hubertrack has created a new low-ground-pressure machine – for farming in difficult or ‘poor’ conditions. The HHTrack100...
Video: Silage 2017 kicks into gear around the country

Grass

Video: Silage 2017 kicks into gear around the country

The silage cutting season has well and truly started, with many farmers arousing their mowers, balers, forage harvesters and silage...
No turnaround in lamb prices just yet

Sheep

No turnaround in lamb prices just yet

There has been no turnaround on lamb prices yet and many factories have opted to remain at last week’s base...
Pics: Hereford bulls reach a €2,880 average at Kilmallock sale

Beef

Pics: Hereford bulls reach a €2,880 average at Kilmallock sale

The Irish Hereford Breed Society held a sale in Kilmallock Mart last Friday, April 21, where bulls reached an average...
Department clarifies GLAS payments issue

Agri-Business

Department clarifies GLAS payments issue

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has clarified the most recent development regarding GLAS payments for 2016. According...
One of a kind: The ‘modern’ Volvo BM tractor

Machinery

One of a kind: The ‘modern’ Volvo BM tractor

Volvo BM tractors – once a typical sight around parts of Europe until the mid 1980s, when Volvo manufactured its...
Farm contractors to hold midlands charity BBQ this weekend

Rural Life

Farm contractors to hold midlands charity BBQ this weekend

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) will hold a Monster Charity BBQ on this bank holiday Sunday, April...
Suspected arson attack at Young Farmers’ conference

Rural Life

Suspected arson attack at Young Farmers’ conference

The venue for the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) Annual Convention caught fire in the UK over the weekend....
Strong trade recorded in marts across the country

Beef

Strong trade recorded in marts across the country

Marts around the country have reported good numbers and a strong trade this week with Balla, Macroom, Raphoe and Carnew...
Dairygold CEO outlines impact of Brexit on farm-gate milk prices

Agri-Business

Dairygold CEO outlines impact of Brexit on farm-gate milk prices

Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland programme this morning, CEO of Dairygold Jim Woulfe outlined – in monetary terms – how...
German firm touts novel trailer/tanker conversion system

Machinery

German firm touts novel trailer/tanker conversion system

German machinery manufacturer Huesker has created a conversion system to transform a standard tipping trailer into a bulk liquid transport tanker....
‘Flying’ with the times: Can drones play a practical role in farming?

Tillage

‘Flying’ with the times: Can drones play a practical role in farming?

University College Dublin’s (UCD’s) School of Agriculture and Food Science hosted a seminar on Wednesday, April 19, titled: ‘Using Drones...
Tractor runs set to roll, including a special women’s event

Rural Life

Tractor runs set to roll, including a special women’s event

Two tractor runs will take place this May bank holiday weekend, in the counties of Laois and Westmeath, in aid...