Aisling O'Brien

Munster

Senior News Journalist at AgriLand

Share life with a beagle, horse, cat and three ducks and three hens in the Kingdom. Senior News Journalist with @AgrilandIreland *All opinions are my own*

Featured in: Favicon

agriland.ie Favicon

jbc.org

agriland.co.uk Favicon

independent.ie Favicon

agropages.com Favicon

einnews.com Favicon

news.agropages.com

Articles

NPWS to renovate derelict farmhouse to enhance bat roost

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is seeking to renovate a derelict farm house in Co. Kerry which is used as a maternity roost by lesser horseshoe bats. The two-storey building is located on lands owned and managed by the NPWS at Dromcarban. The property is situated within Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and Caragh River Catchment Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Behind the Big Mac: Processing 5.3t of Irish beef/hr for McDonald's

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

In the second of a two-part series, Agriland is examining the importance of Irish beef in the McDonald’s supply chain. Established in Co. Waterford in 1980, Dawn Meats now operates in 9 countries, with 11 locations in Ireland. The company processes approximately 400,000 cattle in Ireland annually, supplied by around 14,000 Irish beef farmers. The Carroll’s Cross plant in Co. Waterford, where Dawn Meats was founded, is a dedicated McDonald’s facility for the UK and Ireland.
Kilkenny farmer supplying beef for McDonald's

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

In the first of a two-part series, Agriland is examining the importance of Irish beef in the McDonald’s supply chain. For John Phelan being among the many Irish farmers supplying beef for McDonald’s is very much a family business. John farms alongside his brother, Tadgh and father, Tim at Blanchville in Co. Kilkenny where they run a specialist finishing system of around 300 continental cross heifers on a 60ha block.
Over 80% of forestry harvesting capacity working in windblow areas

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

More than 80% of the harvesting capacity for forestry in the country is now working in areas impacted by storm damage, the Windblow Taskforce has heard. The taskforce, which met yesterday (Wednesday, June 18), heard that there have been dozens of harvesting machines brought into the country to assist with work to clear timber.
Ulster Wildlife buys 90ac of Fermanagh farmland for nature reserve

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Ulster Wildlife has purchased a rare 90ac area of Co. Fermanagh farmland to create its newest nature reserve in Northern Ireland. Located near Derrygonnelly, Fedian Nature Reserve is an example of traditional, pre-war farmland, previously owned by the Nixon family and sympathetically managed by local grazier George Ferguson. The farmland is brimming with wildflower meadows, bird-friendly hedgerows and ancient woodland.
Lakeland Dairies announces milk quality award winners

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

A farm family from Co. Fermanagh has been crowned the supreme champions of the Lakeland Dairies milk quality awards. David and Irene from Irvinstown took home the top prize for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year. The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 17 counties who produce two billion litres of milk for Lakeland Dairies.
'Dismay' as broiler poultry farmers cut from VAT flat-rate scheme

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) Poultry Committee chair Nigel Sweetnam has hit out at a government decision to exclude broiler poultry farmers from the VAT Flat-Rate Addition (FRA) scheme. The scheme compensates farmers who are not VAT registered for the VAT incurred by them on input costs used in the course of their farming activities. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe confirmed the move today (Wednesday, June 18) based on advice provided by the Revenue Commissioners.
Over 4,000 attend Agri Aware Open Farm events

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Over 4,000 people attended the Agri Aware Open Farm events which were held last weekend on farms in Kildare and Galway. The events took place on the Doran Family Dairy Farm in Donadea, Co. Kildare, and the Fahy Family Beef Farm in Ardrahan, Co. Galway. The flagship event of Ireland’s agri-educational food body offered families a unique opportunity to experience life on a working farm while gaining insights into Irish agriculture and food production.
Met Éireann: 'Good drying conditions' for most of coming week

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

Met Éireann said that mostly dry and sunny weather is expected across the country over the next seven days. As a result, the national meteorological service said that conditions for drying will be good for much of the coming week, particularly on Thursday and Friday away from the showers. With mostly light or moderate winds, there will also be some good opportunities for spraying, in general, away from the showers.
GDT price index records third consecutive fall

1 week ago | agriland.ie | Aisling O'Brien

The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) price index has fallen again following the latest trading event which took place earlier today (Tuesday, June 17). The index has declined by 1% to figure sits at 1,299, marking its third consecutive decrease. The GDT price index last recorded an increase (4.6%) following the trading event held on May 6. During today’s auction there was a total of 15,209MT of dairy products sold, with an average price of $4,389/MT.