Discussion of agricultural news and rural affairs from Ireland's leading farming and agri-business newspaper, the Irish Farmers' Journal. Every Thursday.

Just over a month ago, a team from the Irish Farmers Journal in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Association—travelled across several Brazilian states to investigate the realities of Brazilian beef production. Deputy Editor Adam Woods, Senior Policy Executive Tomas Burke, and IFJ Head of Photography Philip Doyle set out with a clear mission: to take an unfiltered look at Brazilian beef farming systems, traceability standards, and antibiotic regulations—and to compare what they found with the strict protocols followed by European farmers. What they uncovered has serious implications that may echo throughout global agriculture and public health for years to come. Join Caitriona Morrissey, Adam Woods, Tomas Burke, Philip Doyle and more as we dive into the evidence, the concerns, and the global stakes behind antibiotic use in Brazilian beef production. Produced by Kate Brennan Harding for The Irish Farmers Journal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second episode of the new podcast aimed at secondary school students, experts share key advice on how students can succeed with their Individual Investigative StudyThe latest instalment of our new podcast series, Growing Minds, which was created to support secondary school students and those pursuing agricultural science, is now live.In episode two, part one of Growing Minds, Roisin Byrne, who is the ag science coordinator at Agri Aware, sits down with Iain Wallace, the education officer at IASTA and ag science teacher at Wesley College. Sitting down to record the podcast, they have an in-depth discussion on the Individual Investigative Study (IIS) and explore the key takeaways for students to keep an eye out for. The IIS forms a large part of the ag science curriculum, as it accounts for 25% of the total Leaving Certificate subject results. Roisin and Iain talk about defining the investigation theme, structuring your study, the best approaches for each section, understanding word count and marking criteria and the importance of proper referencing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show, Gary Abbott talks to young entrepreneur Daragh McHugh, owner and founder of AgriMel Marketing and Basque Machinery Sales. On the show Daragh talks about school, and his decision to go working with a machinery dealer over a plumbing apprenticeship. Having later found himself in a marketing role, Daragh soon spotted an opportunity to establish his own agri marketing business. Now a year and a half on and 23 years of age, he discusses the journey so far, as well as the challenges and his future plans.Get the Irish Farmers Journal delivered straight to your door every week. Purchase an annual Home Delivery subscription today and get our FREE Farm Bucket full of merchandise and gifts worth €129*. Offer ends soon. Click www.ifj.ie/bucket. *New annual customers only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Adam chats about the lack of Brazilian cattle tags, Darren talks BVD and Daire discusses milk price cuts. Darren also chats to John Brennan from Grassland AGRO about pre-calving mineral supplementation.The Irish Farmers Journal BLACK FRIDAY SALE is now on. Get an incredible 30% off our Digital subscriptions for a limited time only*.This offer ends midnight on Monday (December 1st). Click www.ifj.ie/subscribe and use the discount code BLACKFRIDAY30 at the checkout.Get the Irish Farmers Journal delivered straight to your door every week. Purchase an annual Home Delivery subscription today and get our FREE Farm Bucket full of merchandise and gifts worth €129*. Offer ends soon. Click www.ifj.ie/bucket. *New annual customers only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's show features an interview with Alison Jack of New Leaf, a company focused on biological plant solutions. We have all the latest tillage news, grain prices and weather reports. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the team discuss another outbreak of bird flu, farming being unfairly blamed for water pollution, hear from a farmer in West Cork whose cattle were stolen Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon comments on the Brazilian Beef expose conducted by the Irish Farmers Journal Get the Irish Farmers Journal delivered straight to your door every week. Purchase an annual Home Delivery subscription today and get our FREE Farm Bucket full of merchandise and gifts worth €129*. Offer ends soon. Click www.ifj.ie/bucket. *New annual customers only.The Irish Farmers Journal BLACK FRIDAY SALE is now on. Get an incredible 30% off our Digital subscriptions for a limited time only*.This offer ends midnight on Monday (December 1st). Click www.ifj.ie/subscribe and use the discount code BLACKFRIDAY30 at the checkout.*New annual customers only. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's Young Stock Podcast is recorded live from the Dairy Women Ireland's conference, as we sit down with UCD professor and Nuffield Ireland scholar Zoe McKay. Having gotten involved in the original steering committee that developed the network, Zoe is now secretary to the board of Dairy Women Ireland. She discusses the role of the organisation and the importance of bringing women working on dairy farms together. To provide a network to give confidence and support to those who are directly or indirectly involved across the dairy sector. Zoe grew up in the farming community of Ballyfin Co and she is currently an assistant professor of grass and forage science at University College Dublin. Within this role, Zoe is the programme director for the undergraduate degree in sustainable food systems, along with leading a grassland research programme at UCD Lyons Farm. Importance of researchAs one of the 2025 Nuffield Ireland scholars, Zoe has spent the last year travelling across the globe to gain information and research for her topic, “Future Grasslands for Climate Adaptation: What are the options for Ireland?”.Her research aims to evaluate grassland strategies to adapt to climate change and increase the sustainability of Ireland's grass-based production systems.Want a say in our next dairy podcast? Fill out our short survey for a chance to win Wawet waterproof leggings—your feedback matters www.ifj.ie/dairypodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we chat to Adam about his explosive story on Brazilian beef, Darren on the high risk of liver fluke across different regions, and Aidan tells us about Dairy Day and milk price. Want a say in our next dairy podcast? Fill out our short survey for a chance to win Wawet waterproof leggings—your feedback matters www.ifj.ie/dairypodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show we chat to young Wexford farmer Isaac Wheelock on crops for the year ahead, soil health, water quality and the ups and downs of farming. We discuss blackgrass seeds in straw imports, the two-crop rule, EU deforestation regulations and as always, we have the grain trends and weather reports. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show, we discuss the increase in dog attacks on livestock, rural crime and drug related intimidation.Want a say in our next dairy podcast? Fill out our short survey for a chance to win Wawet waterproof leggings—your feedback matters www.ifj.ie/dairypodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martin Merrick talks to Sean Kelly from Kilruane in Tipperary on this week's podcast, discussing everything from how he and his father built up there herd and farm out of cashflow to overcoming mental health challenges. Want a say in our next dairy podcast? Fill out our short survey for a chance to win Wawet waterproof leggings—your feedback matters www.ifj.ie/dairypodcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rebound in milk prices next year, the future of the co-op movement, battles over butter and milk output are just some of the topics covered in our special Dairy Day 2025 podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we chat to Adam about beef price pressure, to Daire about Dairy Day 2025 and to Darren about CAP entitlements and what it means for farmers.We also chat to Peter Linden from Grassland AGRO about winter management tips. Want a say in our next dairy podcast? Fill out our short survey for a chance to win Wawet waterproof leggings—your feedback matters www.ifj.ie/dairypodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we look at straw import figures into Ireland, talk about making a submission to a consultation, have the harvest report, talk to a whiskey distillery, learn about magic traps for insects and of course have the grain trends and weather reports. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the team looks at straw imports, a big anniversary at Dingle Mart, Irish lamb in the US and Meals on Wheels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aidan Brennan and Daire Cregg take a look at the activities, talks and more happening this Saturday at Dairy Day 2025. If you are heading to the conference, this podcast will give you the latest information on talks, guests and more. Want a say in our next dairy podcast? Fill out our short survey for a chance to win Wawet waterproof leggings—your feedback matters www.ifj.ie/dairypodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's instalment of the Young Stock podcast, Noel Bardon chats with Robert Lally, who is taking part in the Farmers' Haggard project looking to combat rural isolation while making farms safer places to work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode features Adam's interviews from the World Meat Congress in Brazil with Kent Baccus on U.S. beef trade issues and Rupert Claxton on global meat consumption trends. Caitríona and the team discuss Ireland's nitrates derogation, increasing bird flu cases, and payment cuts to beef and sheep schemes . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's podcast we chat to a World-record breaking soybean farmer, chat seed, Kerry grain prices and grain trends and weather. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The IFA's nitrates derogation meeting, scheme payment rate cuts and farmer pensions all feature on this week's Farm News podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the first episode of our new podcast, Growing Minds, aimed at secondary school students, Sarah McIntosh speaks to two college students about the different pathways into agriculture, student life and the future of farming. The Irish Farmers Journal has launched a brand-new podcast series, ‘Growing Minds', aimed at secondary school students and those studying agricultural science in school.On this week's episode, careers and education journalist Sarah McIntosh explores the different educational pathways into agricultural science through the CAO system and beyond.Joining her live in the studio are two third-level students, Ciaran McLoughlin, the Ag Soc auditor in University College Dublin and Ellen Feerey, a final year student from South East Technological University, Waterford. Hailing from a sheep farm in Trim, Co Meath Ciaran outlines why he decided to study a course in UCD and what growing up on a farm taught him from a young age. Ellen from Tyrellspass, Co Westmeath took a different pathway into college, spending two years in Gurteen Agriculture College before transferring into a Level 8 agriculture science degree at SETU. She outlines the benefit this had on her studies and why she would encourage other students to look into alternative pathways. Both students offer their advice on studying agricultural science, what to look out for when choosing your college course and what the future of farming looks like from a young perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the show we chat to John Smyth from Cavan who speaks to us about his involvement with the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme which has taken him around the world for competitions. He's a suckler farmer at home and is currently completing a PhD in Teagasc, Grange on reducing slaughter age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we chat with Adam who's in Brazil at the World Meat Congress, to Martin about the Tullamore Farm cattle sale and to Daire about the new draft of NAP Nitrates action programme. We also chat to John Brennan from Grassland AGRO and Eoin Lowry from Bank of Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Tillage Podcast we chat to James Flahavan. We met James at the Flahavan's Organic Oats Conference last week on oats, international markets and price. We also discuss the scrapping of stubble cultivation rules, some positivity in grain prices and what's happening in the fields. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show, the team takes a look at new slurry storage rules, the milk price outlook and bus drivers over 70. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen chats to Sophie Sheerin, Agriculture Manager with Dawn meats group, where they cover everything from her early farming days, to college in Queens University, to her experience of the McDonalds Progressive Young Farmer Awards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're at Women & Agriculture in Sligo where we discuss food prices, the cost of living and much more. We also talk to Pat Loughman from Bia Energy about a Dublin based AD plant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ciara Leahy and Amy Forde for highlights from Women & Agriculture Conference 2025 held in The Radisson Hotel Sligo. Expect a full flavour of the days conference, with interviews from Mary Martin, Neven Maguire, Presidential Candidate Heather Humphries. We also have some of the best of clips from Tech Talk Live, and Succession. But most importantly, you will hear voices from those who travelled from far and wide to connect with each other at this years conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show we talk to Crop insurance expert from the US Dalynn Hoch. Dalyn is head of RCIS, operates in the 50 states in the US. We also report from the Flahavan's organic oats conference, have an update on sowing and news on a new maltings and of course look at the paper, grain trends and the weather report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this weeks Farm News, Noel Bardon and Anne O'Donoghue bring you some of the stories fresh from todays Irish Farmers Journal, including Trump on Beef, The burren winterage weekend and why are fat pigs being penalised? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we chat to Kerry hill sheep farmer Aoife Randles on managing a flock of 600 ewes, working in Macroom Mart and going to ag college. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Adam talks about the beef trade's injection of life and what's driving it, Daire chats about the increase in global milk trade and its' impact on prices over the coming months, while Martin talks about store lamb trade. We also talk to Karen Doyle from GNI and Clodagh Bolger from Grassland AGRO. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show we had a chat with Dan Basse, a to grain analyst from the US. We also talk grain price announcements, fieldwork and look at the paper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Farming News Amy Forde and the team look at the future of Rockwell Farm in Tipperary, Pat O'Toole talks us through the upcoming Presidential election, we also take a look at the spud harvest and we hear about the upcoming Women & Agriculture conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's Young Stock Podcast, Peter Thomas Keaveney speaks with Meath man David Cooney, who decided to change career path after completing an Arts degree in NUIG, and go full-time contracting alongside his brother, Shane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we chat to Adam Woods about weanling prices and the exporter boycott. Darren Carty gives an update on hill sheep prices. Aidan Brennan covers the talks between Aurivo and Dale Farm. We also chat with Eoin Lowry from BOI about farm finances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part two of our Budget 2026 special Join host Caitriona Morrissey alongside Pat O'Toole, Darren Carty and Lorcan Roche Kelly as they break down the big topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tillage podcast: budget, sowing and chats from YorkshireDescription: On this week's Tillage Podcast we visit an Italian ryegrass trial site in England talk about the budget and winter cereal planting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the news team talk about the key take aways from Budget 2026, TB testing failures, and mart manager reaction to the boycott of weanling sales by exporters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish Farmers Journal Team have been poring over the speeches and announcements by ministers Paschal Donohue, Jack Chambers and Martin Heydon, to bring you the essential news and detailed analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Youngstock podcast, Martin Merrick talks to Macra president Josephine O'Neill on how her first few months as Macra president has been going.With the presidential campaign to elect Uachtarán na hEireann under way, this week we talk to Macra's own president Josephine O'Neill. Coming up on six months in to her work as national president, we discuss how she got involved in Macra to begin with 12 years ago and what she perceives as the benefits of Macra and how it is not just a social club for younger farmers with a wide variety of competitions and events, but a lobbying organisation as well. We ask Josephine how her term has been so far, as well as her hopes for the remainder of her time at the helm of Macra. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we chat to Adam about a potential boycott of weanling sales by live exporters, Darren on the sheep kill, while Aidan updates us on Dairy Day 2025. We're also joined by Peter Linden from Grassland AGRO and Richard Kennedy from Carbon AMS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tirlán's head of grains joins us on this week's Tillage Podcast. John Kealy caught up with the Irish Farmers Journal at this year's National Ploughing Championships on markets, the tillage crisis and Tirlán's plans for the future. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer crops Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show we discuss the planned boycott of weanling sales by exporters, Tirlán's move to offload Glanbia shares and how a new trade school will help youngsters wire a plug. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From sucklers to sheep, AI to scanning, and sheep dog demonstrations to relief milking, 19-year-old Aaron McGann has plenty of irons in the fire when it comes to farming. From Bellharbour in Co Clare, Aaron has had a strong interest in farming from a young age and was an early starter in getting his own farm enterprises off the ground. His father Martin and mother Martina always had sucklers. In his early teenage years he started his own sheep flock and also began working with local dairy farmers, Bryan and Deirdre Hynes. In transition year he completed his AI technician course and got a job doing sheep dog demonstrations at Caherconnell Stone Fort. To this day, he still keeps up all of the above and shows on the weekend in his spare time. Aaron had great success at Tullamore Show with his Bluefaced Leicesters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Adam discusses the ICBF star rating changes, Darren reports on lamb scarcity and its effect on prices, while Aidan covers milk prices, tips for managing new re-seeds, and explains the sharp drop in EBI across all dairy herds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's podcast we go through the figures on crop profits, tillage incomes and what's bringing about the best return with Dr Fiona Thorne of Teagasc. We also talk about a new Irish ration on the market. This week's show was recorded live at the National Ploughing Championships. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer crops Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's show, the team chats about the presidential election, the link between gun clubs and mink, and the State snapping up more land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, sporting legends Tommy Durnin, Lizzie Murphy, Stephen Coen and Daire Cregg join Sarah McIntosh live from the Ploughing in Tullamore to talk all things sport and farming.We have a special Young Stock Podcast this week as we record live at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly. Sarah McIntosh is joined by four sporting legends who have a strong tie to agriculture and the land. Louth footballer Tommy Durnin, who also owns a suckler farm, discusses the recent success of the team winning the Leinster Senior Football Championship for the first time in 68 years. Along with this he gives some advice to young players.Irish Hockey goalkeeper Lizzie Murphy, who studied agriculture in UCD, is now working as a tax associate for PwC Ireland. She discusses what it was like travelling to the Tokyo Olympics during COVID-19 and the importance of encouraging women in sport.Stephen Coen, the general manager of Senus and a senior footballer for Mayo, also joins us to discuss dealing with disappointment and encouraging the next generation of players into the squad.Finally, the newest edition to the Irish Farmers Journal dairy team, Daire Cregg, who is also playing on the Roscommon football team joins us to discuss the opportunities for Irish athletes abroad and his own experience studying agriculture in UCD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Farm Tech Talk is live from the National Ploughing Championships, covering milk price, the beef outlook, schemes, and tillage and sheep updates. Eoin Lowry (BOI) shares farming projections, while Padraig Fleming (GNI) talks biomethane Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plough On Podcast: Mary Lou, Micheál and a seven-time world ploughing winnerDescription: Tune in to the final episode of the Plough On Podcast for 2025 as we report from the final day of the National Ploughing Championships. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.