Discussion of agricultural news and rural affairs from Ireland's leading farming and agri-business newspaper, the Irish Farmers' Journal. Every Thursday.
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.
Tillage podcast: ploughing chats, tillage crisis and €60m fundingDescription: On this week's Tillage Podcast we chatted to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon after the IFA's Tillage Crisis meeting on Friday night in Co Kildare. We then got the opinion of the farm organisations following that meeting. Kieran McEvoy of the Irish Farmers' Association and Clive Carter of the Irish Grain Growers Group joined us on the Irish Farmers Journal's stand at the National Ploughing Championships. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join us for a round-up of day two at the National Ploughing Championships where the team was out and about chatting to the Tánaiste, ministers, brown bread makers and the public.The rain held off for day two of the National Ploughing Championships and there was plenty of action across the Ploughihing site in Screggan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025Join Amy Forde on day one of the National Ploughing Championships. We had boots on the ground and you will hear from presidential candidates, Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin.Michael D Higgins officially opened the event.You will also hear from the Taoiseach who made an appearance at the Irish Farmers Journal stand.There's plenty of fun and ploughing throughout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Top tips for Ploughing 2025 Tune in to hear everything you need to know about the biggest week in the Irish farming calendar - the 2025 National Ploughing Championships.Welcome to this special bite-sized edition of the Irish Farmers Journal podcast ahead of Ploughing 2025.All roads lead to Screggan, Co Offaly, this week and this podcast will get you ready for the three days of this year's National Ploughing Championships.From how to get there to what's on the Irish Farmers Journal stand, we have you covered with this show.We also have top tips and Ploughing memories from the wider team.Don't forget that our special Plough On podcast returns this year and will be available every evening on your way home from the event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week's episode features Clare's Caroline Enright, a young farmer leasing land to get rearing calves and a herd of pedigree Limousins in her own right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Adam talks about the impact of the new TB rules, Darren talks about managing foxes in the uplands and Aidan talks to us about TB and nitrates. Darren also chats to Susan Hannon from ESB Networks on safety culture on farm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's show we talk to a young farmer who is enjoying tillage farming despite the risks, but thinks there are a lot of things could change. Rory Doyle discusses tillage farming challenges and the need for support from Government. We have the first harvest prices of the year, wheat and oats recommended lists and report from the Teagasc Crops Forum. 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 looks forward to the presidential election and the Ploughing. We also discuss the new plan to tackle TB levels in Irish cattle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With over 180,000 followers on social media, Dave and Michael Kennedy have created an online fitness company, The Lifestyle Blueprint. The brothers who grew up on a small dairy farm and pub are now helping people living in rural areas make lifestyle changes by focusing on their health and fitness. With a keen interest in agriculture, they can relate to the challenges facing farmers in terms of finding the time to exercise and not prioritising themselves. Along with this, the brothers talk about dealing with grief as they tragically lost their sister, Sarah, in a car accident in January 2010, and more recently, their mother, Mary, at the end of 2024. Strong Body, Strong MindAll roads lead to Tullamore next week, as the National Ploughing Championships take place from 16- 18 September. Across the three days, the Kennedy Brothers will be part of the Irish Farmers Journal ‘Strong Body, Strong Mind' campaign. Each day, they will be demonstrating simple exercises that farmers can do at home without gym equipment. Along with this, they will be taking part in health panels discussing the importance of healthy eating and looking after your mind with Irish Country Living editor, Ciara Leahy. To get in touch with your opinions and feedback on the podcast, you can email youngstock@farmersjournal.ie or leave a WhatsApp voice note at 0868366465. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In week two of our Succession Podcast, we speak to Christopher Cahill, FBD Young Farmer of the Year 2024, who entered into a shared farming arrangement in 2021. Christopher speaks about the transition into the agreement and what supports are needed for young farmers.Collaboration is forging a new pathway for those without farms or land to stay in agriculture and providing a solution to succession.Padraig Cunnane from Ardmore also speaks about his experience farming in a straight seven-year leasing model at the other end of the country in Co Cork. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Adam talks about the threat of Mercosur, Darren chats about the revolution in hill sheep management and Aidan talks to us about milk price. Adam also talks to John Brennan from Grassland AGRO and Paul O'Brien from Gas Networks Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's show, the team discusses the Mercosur trade deal, hear from the Minister for Agriculture, talk ICBF indices and dairy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week's Tillage Podcast asks questions to industry about the future of the tillage sector and supports that are needed.Description: We also talk winter barley varieties, rye, Government commitments, upcoming events grain prices and weather. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our guest this week is Niamh Mulhern who joins us from Singapore where she's working as a market advisor with Bord Bia promoting Irish duck and dairy across South East Asia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jacqueline Hogge, rural affairs reporter sits down with solicitor and Farmers Journal columnist Aisling Meehan and FAI Farm Families Chair Teresa Roche to discuss the various things farmers need to do when setting up a succession plan. We discuss the implications of succession on applying for nursing home support, Fair Deal, and what both sides in a succession arrangement need to be aware of. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Darren discusses breeding sheep prices, Aidan chats about milk prices and Siobhán explains what sets grain price for tillage farmers. Also, Stephen Robb talks to Emer Murphy from ESB Networks on safety concerns during farm construction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michael Healy-Rae on tractor driver licences, reseeding and hedgecutting all feature on this week's News Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's tillage podcast, we take listeners onto the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, talk to grain markets expert Karen Braun of Zaner Ag Hedge and bring you all the latest news from a major IFA tillage meeting to premium contracts and including Irish grain in rations.As always, we look at this week's paper, 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 Youngstock Podcast, Stephen Robb talks to sheep farmer and DLF business manager Ned Kehoe about all things sheep, college, forage crops and the future of farming. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we chat with Darren on record prices for breeding sheep, with Martin on TAMS investments and Aidan on nitrates and milk prices. Darren also chats with Peter Linden from Grassland AGRO about supplies of nutrients. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Rachel Donovan & Noel Bardon for the weekly catch up on all the big farming news of the week. With expert analysis from our own Martin Merrick and Declan O'Brien. The big three this week – Red Hot Weanlings, TAMS and Milk Prices. Produced by Kate Brennan HardingSponsored by: ESBContact the show: news@farmersjournal.ieWhatsapp: 086836665 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week's show comes from Spencer, Iowa in the United States as we report from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour which examines and measures crops across the US mid-west to estimate yields and examine crop quality.We chat to Liam Leahy of Dairygold to hear how the cereal harvest went in Co Cork and take a look at this week's paper and the grain trends report.You can listen to the podcast here: The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's Young Stock Podcast, Peter Thomas Keaveney speaks with Thomas Daly, who runs Rainbow Engineering alongside his father John, an Offaly machinery manufacturing company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Adam discusses the Beef Welfare Scheme, Martin shares insights on TAMS and planning permissions, and Siobhan talks about straw prices. Stephen also chats with Robert Sutton from ESB Networks about ensuring safe electrical connections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New proposals from the nitrates expert group, a milk price outlook from Tirlán and succession all feature in this week's show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's tillage podcast we chat to Goldcrop's John Dunne about oilseed rape and why more people might consider growing the crop this season. We also have a harvest update, look at new nitrates proposals, news from this week's paper, grain prices and weather. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's Young Stock Podcast, we have a special episode for our listeners as Sarah McIntosh and Amy Forde headed to Co. Offaly and attended the Tullamore Show. Thousands of people were in attendance for the one-day show, on Sunday, 10 August, which showcased 700 trade stands from the agri sector along with farm produce, livestock, agri machinery and more.Among some of the hot topics discussed on the day were the challenges facing young farmers in terms of succession and the action needed to support farm families. Along with this, Sarah heads to the show rings and speaks to some of the young farming enthusiasts who were getting their cattle ready for the ring. Keep an eye out in this week's paper as the Irish Farmers Journal launches its succession series along with more content on young handlers in Irish Country Living. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we chat with Adam about weanling prices, Martin discusses sheep prices, and Aidan covers the derogation. Adam also speaks with Clodagh Bolger from Grassland AGRO about fertiliser and lime application. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Adam Woods discusses beef prices, cattle shortages and weanling sales while Noel Bardon discusses Teagasc's income for 2024, fertiliser testing and farm tax reliefs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bretts' agronomist Paul Colgan joins us on this week's podcast to update us on the harvest and grain yields and quality. We hear what's in the paper and 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, we hear from dairy farmer Shane Fitzgerald on the attractiveness of dairying to young farmers, ideal cow type and why you can never have too much slurry storage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Adam discusses the positive outlook for sucklers, Darren covers the peatlands appeals process, Lorcan reviews recent trade developments, and Stephen talks to ESB Networks' Alan Kelly about tree-cutting safety concerns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we hear of controversy around the GAEC 2 land categorisation appeals process, the number of farmers penalised for stacking bales too high and of the group of farmers now deemed the ‘forgotten' forgotten farmers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's Tillage Podcast we have an update on harvest from oilseed rape to spring barley and straw. We examine yield estimates from the Irish Farmers Journal's Crop Tour and hear from some of the agronomists that we met on that tour.As always, we have the latest tillage news, grain trends and weather reports. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two budding young farmers, brothers Tomás and Bríen Williams from Co Cavan, talk all things show cattle with Anne O'Donoghue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For the sixth and final episode of this limited podcast series on the past, present and future of Irish food and agriculture, we delve into our potential food future. What might it look like in the decades to come? Are heritage and culture going to give way to science and technology as we navigate climate change and its many challenges? How can we keep rural Irish communities fed and thriving, and what role does the farming community play in it all?Host Janine Kennedy speaks with Irish Farmers Journal deputy editor Caitriona Morrissey, UCD professor and bioeconomy expert, Tom Curran, and Davie Philip and Oliver Moore from the Feeding Ourselves Community of Practise, which is based in the Cloughjordan Ecovillage. Food Island is presented by multi-award-winning food journalist Janine Kennedy and brought to you by the Irish Farmers Journal. It shares the evolving story of Ireland's rich food ways, farming cultures and gastronomy. This special six-part series on the past, present and future of Irish food and agriculture was produced in collaboration with the UCD Earth Institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Adam talks about weanling management, Darren discusses CAP 2028 and Martin looks at investment on farms. Also, Adam meets with John Brennan from Grassland AGRO to discuss nutrient management Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Noel Bardon gets into the detail of an exclusive meeting held with the Minister for Agriculture on the future of the CAP, Declan O'Brien talks about land prices and James Hanly has an update on a new forgotten farmers scheme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week's Tillage Podcast we talk harvest, tillage incomes, grain prices and as always look at this week's paper. We chat to Cork woman Aoife O'Driscoll who is a senior specialist in crop protection and integrated pest management with NIAB in the UK. We also chat to NIAB's Clare Leaman.We preview the Irish Farmers Journal's Crop Tour and 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.
The European Commission's radical proposals to cut the ringfenced funding available for the next CAP by 20% has shaken the farming sector. We caught up with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to get his views on the plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this weeks Youngstock Podcast, Gary Abbott speaks to young agri mechanic and tractor tuning specialist Ben Dunford, who set out at the age of 22 to build his own business which has since gone from strength to strength with the help of social media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We have delved into Ireland's rich history of food and agriculture, and now it's time to face our current reality. What is Ireland's place in an increasingly tech-driven and globalised world? Are farmers prepared to face the roadblocks ahead as we race to meet our sustainability goals? In this modern age, what even constitutes "Irish" food?In this episode of Food Island, our six-part series on the past, present and future of Irish food and agriculture, host Janine Kennedy speaks with Irish Farmers Journal editor, Jack Kennedy; chef and author, JP McMahon and UCD professor of politics and Earth Institute member Patrick Paul Walsh.Food Island is presented by multi-award-winning food journalist Janine Kennedy and brought to you by the Irish Farmers Journal. It shares the evolving story of Ireland's rich food ways, farming cultures and gastronomy. This special six-part series on the past, present and future of Irish food and agriculture was produced in collaboration with the UCD Earth Institute @universitycollegedublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this show, Adam discusses suckler farmers' reaction to the new CAP, Darren covers the CAP 2028 plans, Siobhan updates on grain and straw prices, along with harvest progress. Stephen chats with Claire Mulholland from ESB Networks about farm safety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week the news team discusses all things CAP, how ash dieback is impacting hurley making as well as the latest on Ireland's renewal of the nitrates derogation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.