Welcome to FarmLand – our weekly farming show broadcasting from our state-of-the-art digital studio at AgriLand’s headquarters in Dublin.
This Weeks Episode
Show 28 - July 25, 2019
This week, on the season three finale of FarmLand, the show drills into farmer concerns surrounding the new TB stakeholder forum report.
Hugh Farrell of the ICSA outlines why he believes the report is “incomplete” - highlighting its lack of focus on the cost of TB – both financially and personally – inside the farm gate.
Our reporter Emma Gilsenan also meets a Wicklow-based beef and sheep farmer that has been grappling with TB breakdowns for years.
Meanwhile, Chris Daly of the ICBF reveals how initial results from the BEEP scheme are showing promising results for the suckler herd.
Previous Shows
Episode 27 - July 11, 2019
This week on FarmLand, as beef farmer opposition to the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal gathers pace, independent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan outlines whether Ireland’s farmer fury is impacting on Brussels.
Although the Mercosur bloc says it wants to “shake off the environmental stigma” of its beef production system, Flanagan says he “doesn’t buy it”.
Meanwhile, Zoe Kavanagh, CEO of the National Dairy Council (NDC) highlights the threat “misinformed” vegan campaigns pose to the dairy sector.
Plus, FarmLand reporter Emma Gilsenan visits Monaghan dairy farmer, Darren McKenna, winner of the 2018 NDC and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.
Episode 26 - July 4, 2019
The ferocious farmer backlash to the announcement that 99,000t of beef from Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will make its way onto EU market shelves under the EU-Mercosur trade deal will be fleshed out on FarmLand tonight. Joe Healy IFA president gives his reaction to the deal and why he believes it is a retrograde step for Irish and EU agriculture.
FarmLand’s Breifne O'Brien also gets feedback from farmers on the front-line at Ballyjamesduff Mart.
Meanwhile, the current EU-wide shortage of machinery operators will also be deliberated by Mike Moroney CEO of FCI.
Plus, we talk to farm contractor Peter Farrelly about the challenge of attracting fresh interest into the contracting sector.
Episode 25 - June 27, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, ICMSA president Pat McCormack drills into the farming detail of the Government’s new Climate Action Plan.
While outlining that farmers will engage with the plan, McCormack also suggests that the time has come for the burden of increasing production costs to be shared with consumers.
Meanwhile, can hemp production offer new lucrative revenue streams for Irish farmers?
Teagasc energy and rural development specialist Barry Caslin and business woman Leah Fletcher outline how Irish farmers can break into a fast-emerging global market space.
Episode 24 - June 20, 2019
What is the current state of play on the reform of the next Common Agricultural Policy post-2020 - and what will it mean for Irish farmers?
FarmLand gets the inside track from the top brass forming the new policy at the European Commission in Brussels.
Frank Bollen, head of the budget management unit at DG AGRI, gives his view on looming budget cuts, while Pierre Bascou, director of sustainability and income support at DG AGRI, talks unfair payment distribution and how his team is tackling it.
Plus, Tassos Haniotis, director for strategy, simplification and policy analysis at DG AGRI, underlines how embracing technology can make life easier for farmers into the future.
Episode 23 - April 18, 2019
On tonight's episode of FarmLand, Siobhan Ring geneticist at ICBF will give the inside track on the recently developed Dairy Beef Index and its potential for both dairy and beef farmers.
Niall Claffey visits dairy farmer Hughie Egan - who's milking 85 Kiwi-cross cows under a spring-calving system in Doon Co. Offaly - to discuss his plans for the 2019 breeding season.
Plus, Department of Agriculture official Brian Alcock talks about the department's initiative of online clinics that are taking place across the country.
Episode 22 - April 11, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Macra na Feirme national president elect Thomas Duffy gives his first official sit-down interview since landing top office.
IFA national treasurer Tim Cullinan talks pig prices, changing consumer trends and his ambitions for the presidency of the country’s largest farming organisation.
Plus, ICSA sheep chairman Sean McNamara reflects on a devastating dog attack at his sheep farm in Co. Westmeath last year.
Episode 21 - April 4, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Pat Smith, the chairman of the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation, outlines the potential for solar PV generation on Irish farms.
The ICSA’s Eddie Punch talks beef prices, live exports and the possibilities for dairy calf-to-beef production.
The IFA’s Thomas Cooney reacts to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action’s latest report.
Episode 20 - March 28, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, addresses farmer demands for clarity on emergency support aid for the beef sector if a crash-out Brexit unfolds over the coming weeks.
And what opportunities can farm diversification offer to boost farm incomes? Barry Caslin Teagasc specialist in energy and rural development outlines the possibilities, pitfalls and considerations that farmers should take on board.
Episode 19 - March 21, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Bord Bia’s sector manager for beef and livestock Joe Burke discusses current progress with calf exports.
Meanwhile, FTMTA CEO Gary Ryan will focus on the sale of new tractors in Ireland to date this year.
The issue of how to deal with lameness on dairy farms will also be covered with Waterford vet Ger Cusack and we visited a dairy farm which recently installed steps to reduce this issue.
Episode 18 - March 14, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, AgriLand’s Siobhan Walsh discusses the key challenges facing malting barley growers.
MEP Sean Kelly discusses the key changes and sticking points to the reform of CAP.
Meanwhile, director of Teagasc Gerry Boyle talks technology, teaching and how these are combined in training the farmers and agri leaders of tomorrow.
Episode 17 - March 7, 2019
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, MEP Mairead McGuinness discusses the likelihood of chlorothalonil facing a ban.
Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway Michael Fitzmaurice talks about Brexit, farming organisations and the challenges facing Irish farming today.
Finally, Padraig Madden from FRS covers labour on dairy farms as calving season continues.
Episode 16 - December 25, 2018
As we prepare to put 2018 behind us, tonight on FarmLand in Review we will look back at some of the biggest issues that farmers battled on the ground over the last 12 months.
From the cross-sector impact of multiple extreme weather events, beef price lows, the Lakeland/LacPatrick merger, Brexit fears, and many farmer-led protests, FarmLand will reflect the year’s major talking points.
With reports from all over the country, this special Christmas edition lets farmers do all the talking.
Episode 15 - December 13, 2018
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed explains the latest developments on Brexit and what his department is doing to prepare for a no-deal scenario. He also reflects on what has been a tough year for farmers in 2018.
Also, CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) Sean Finan outlines the opportunities that are present for Irish farmers in the field of renewable energy.
Episode 14 - December 6, 2018
On this week's episode of FarmLand, Ian Kilgallon of Gas Networks Ireland highlights the opportunities available for anaerobic digestion in Ireland, as well as the GRAZE Gas project in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.
Aurivo CEO Aaron Forde offered insight into the co-op's performance this year, milk price in 2019 and the launch of Homeland.ie.
Plus, ICSA sheep chairperson John Brooks calls out the faults with unverified elements of Sheep Ireland's star ratings system and the implications of these.
Farmers in Dowra Mart, Co. Cavan, also gave their views on Sheep Ireland and the star rating system.
Episode 13 - November 29, 2018
This week on FarmLand, Joe Burke senior manager of meat and livestock at Bord Bia will talk in detail about Ireland’s live cattle export trade – with a particular focus on 2018 market trends and potential destinations for 2019.
Burke will also offer his outlook on beef price for the Christmas market.
Plus, Grace Maher of the Irish Organic Association will give her response to the re-opening of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Organic Farming Scheme.
Episode 12 - November 22, 2018
This week on FarmLand, independent senator Ian Marshall urges the Democratic Unionist Party to row in behind the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement for the sake of farmers and agri-businesses in Northern Ireland.
As fears over the future of the beef sector in Ireland continue to escalate, Cormac Healy, the director of Meat Industry Ireland addresses price concerns.
Plus, Eamon Corley, co-founder of the newly-formed Beef Plan Group 2018-2015, reveals that the farmer-led entity has yielded more than 6,500 members in just six weeks.
Episode 11 - November 15, 2018
Tonight on FarmLand, businessman Peter Casey - who garnered the support of one in five voters during last month’s presidential election - will outline his political ambitions to represent the people of rural Ireland.
Richard Kennedy, the deputy president of the IFA, calls for changes to be made to the country’s trespassing and bail laws in order to protect farm families from criminal gangs.
Plus, Fianna Fail’s Jackie Cahill explains the actions that his party is taking to tackle the threats of rural crime and rural isolation.
Episode 10 - November 8, 2018
Tonight on FarmLand, Michael Hanley CEO of Lakeland Dairies will outline his ambitions for the future of the Lakeland/LacPatrick merger.
Eimear McGuinness, general manager of Donegal Co-op Livestock Mart, and Ray Doyle, livestock service executive at Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society, will frame their concerns on “skyrocketing” mart insurance hikes.
Plus, Pearse Kelly, head of Drystock Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, will discuss the launch of phase two of the Teagasc Green Acres Calf to Beef Programme.
Episode 9 - November 1, 2018
Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice and Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, go head-to-head on the country’s strides to hit its renewable energy and carbon emission targets.
Climatologist, Prof. John Sweeney, warns that biomass production is just a “short-term” solution to Bord na Mona’s power plant challenges.
Tom O’Dwyer, the head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc Moorepark, offers advice on how to get the best results at dry-off.
Episode 8 - October 25, 2018
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Fianna Fail’s Barry Cowen voices “serious concerns” over the impact of Bord na Mona’s unexpected decision to completely stop peat harvesting by 2025.
Conor Finnerty visits Littleton, Co. Tipperary, where locals continue to grapple with the closure of Bord na Mona’s factory earlier this year.
Macra na Feirme president James Healy outlines his disappointment over the Government’s decision to put a limit on tax relief for young farmers.
Teagasc specialist Shay Phelan reflects on a “trying year” for potato growers, while Siobhan Walsh gets the low-down on harvest 2018 from Keogh’s Farm in north Co. Dublin.
Episode 7 - October 18, 2018
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Dr. Eoin Ryan, senior veterinary inspector at the Department of Agriculture, and Frank Brady, IFA county chairman for Monaghan, discuss the issue of bovine TB, while Teagasc cattle specialist Karen Dukelow and ICMSA deputy president Lorcan McCabe outline the current fodder situation around the country.
Manager of the Burren Programme Dr. Brendan Dunford will also be in studio to talk about progress in the unique region, as well as the upcoming Burren Winterage Weekend.
Episode 6 - October 11, 2018
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Pat Deering and Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) general secretary Eddie Punch discuss the implications of Budget 2019 for Irish farmers – and look into the newly-announced Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP), designed to aid suckler farmers.
Former Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president Eddie Downey also joins us to explain why the IFA needs to be reformed - and who he believes are the “key pins” of the organisation.
Episode 5 - October 4, 2018
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed gives us the inside track on what happened at the 12th Beef Roundtable discussion, as farmers flocked to the city streets in protest.
Eamon Corley, Meath IFA livestock chair and spokesperson of the newly-formed Beef Plan Group, outlines why he believes farmers have “lost confidence” in farm unions and highlights how this new group aims to shake-up the beef industry.
Des Morrison, ICMSA livestock chair and Michael Fitzmaurice, independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, go head-to-head in a debate over the potential of contract rearing to boost incomes and efficiencies for drystock and dairy farmers.
We get the word on the street from farmers that boycotted this week’s Beef Forum; plus, Kieran Henry, a Sligo-based suckler farmer and contract rearer, explains how diversifying his enterprise has brought it from strength-to-strength.
Episode 4 - September 27, 2018
On this week’s episode of FarmLand, we talk to the US Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs - Ted McKinney - about Ireland’s relationship with the US and opportunities for Irish beef exports across the Atlantic.
Following on from last week’s storm, Prof. John Sweeney – a climatologist at Maynooth University – is in studio to speak about how extreme weather events are set to become more frequent in the future.
As well as this, the general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), Eddie Punch, and the CEO of Kilkenny Mart, Michael Lynch, will highlight their grave concerns for the beef sector at present – as farmers struggle to deal with further beef price cuts.
Episode 3 - September 13, 2018
Coming up on this week’s show we have an interview with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan on giving better opportunity to farmers in the food supply chain, and tackling unfair trading practices in retail and processing.
ICSA Sheep Committee chairman John Brooks explains why sheep farmers are saying enough is enough on the issue of EID tagging, and Gurteen College principal Mike Pearson gives the low-down on the new 30-unit milking parlour recently finished by the college.
Episode 2 - September 6, 2018
Coming up on this week’s show we have a special interview with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who contends that the game is not lost for Irish farmers on Brexit - as he believes a ‘no-deal’ outcome is unlikely.
And while the whiskey and beer market booms worldwide, Bobby Miller - the chairman of the Irish Grain Growers’ Group - says Irish malting barley growers are not getting the premium recognition they deserve for producing a quality product.
Episode 1 - August 30, 2018
First up on the couch for the premiere show we have: the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Michael Creed; MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness; and leading agri-food economist Ciaran Fitzgerald.
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