Sylvester Phelan

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.

Rural Life

Farmer receives 150kph speeding fine…in his tractor

A French farmer received a speeding fine for allegedly clocking 150kph on a speed camera by police in Namur, Belgium...

April 23, 2017

Dairy

Deadline approaches for Teagasc diploma applications

The application deadline for the Teagasc Professional Diploma in Dairy Farm Management is getting close. The deadline is next Friday,...

April 23, 2017

Tillage

Latest research findings to be presented at crops open day

Teagasc researchers, tillage specialists and advisers will present the latest research findings for a broad range of tillage crops at...

April 22, 2017

Beef

Map: TB blackspots identified as 2,849 cattle test positive

The amount of cattle that have been slaughtered for bovine TB has increased during the first three months of 2017,...

April 20, 2017

Dairy

Carbery Group on the rise as figures show a boost in profits

The west Cork milk processor and producer of value-added ingredients, flavours and cheese – Carbery Group – has reported good...

April 20, 2017

Beef

Irish heifer prices fifth highest in the EU

In the latest report from the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), Irish heifer prices continue to rise compared to other...

April 20, 2017

Agri Politics

May gets parlimentary go-ahead for ‘snap’ UK election

As had been widely predicted, UK Prime Minister Theresa May has been given the green light to proceed with a...

April 19, 2017

Dairy

European Milk Board highlights worrying future

According to a study commissioned by the European Milk Board (EMB) and the MEG Milch Board (the German Milk Board),...

April 19, 2017

Sheep

Mart report: Sheep numbers tight over Easter weekend

There have been mixed reports from marts around the country over the past week, with regard to the sheep trade. Raphoe...

April 19, 2017

Rural Life

Pics: Ford centenary car and tractor run planned for Cork

This year marks 100 years since the beginning of Henry Ford’s operations in Ireland with the building of Ford’s tractor...

April 18, 2017

Sheep

Missing hoggets are now back with their owner

Of the 26 hoggets that were declared missing in Kilgarven, Co. Kerry, 24 of them have now found their way...

April 18, 2017

Tillage

‘Conditions for sowing maize are good at the minute’

Conditions for sowing maize are excellent at present, according to a prominent contractor based in Co. Cork. Mark Troy, of...

April 18, 2017

Beef

Good prices but limited numbers at Balla Mart

A sale was held on Saturday, April 15, at Balla Mart, Co. Mayo. Excluding weanlings, there were approximately 800 lots on...

April 18, 2017

Tillage

85% of Irish maize now estimated to be grown under plastic

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) recently released the Forage Maize Varieties Irish Recommended List 2017. This list contains plenty of...

April 18, 2017

Tillage

‘Further clarity is needed on TAMS tillage equipment specs’

Agricultural machinery suppliers have expressed varying levels of uncertainty regarding the specifications required in order to be eligible for TAMS tillage...

April 18, 2017