Martin Merrick

Crossmolina, Ireland

Buildings and Labour Efficiency Reporter at Irish Farmers Journal

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Articles

Grass+ beef: weather couldn’t be much better for many

1 week ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

Growth has well and truly exceeded demand on nearly all farms, and we have gone from a deficit to a surplus relatively quickly. Each is challenging to control, but a mower and baler will do the majority of the work when it comes to a surplus. Taking out paddocks now will prevent farm cover becoming too heavy and grass being wasted through going to stem.
Is a new small scale dairy now viable to create?

1 week ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

I had an email from a young farmer recently regarding setting up a new dairy. They were currently renting 43 acres next to the home block, which was just under 30 acres in size, with the hopeful plan being able to build on the owned land when it is passed on to them and utilise the two units to milk a herd of approximately 50 cows. Firstly, the block of owned land is still being farmed by the young farmer’s father.
Young Sheep Farmers Forum kicks off with first walk

1 week ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

The first of the Kepak Young Sheep Farmer forum meetings took place in recent weeks in Co. Roscommon; a fitting place to begin, what with a sheep featuring proudly on the county flag. The forum brings together 10 young farmers from different educational backgrounds across Ireland to form a discussion group. Meeting monthly from April to September 2025, participants will explore the full sheep market – from farm to fork.
The Grass Week: bumper week for grass growth ahead as magic day happens

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

Growth really has taken off, with the combination of rainfall last week and heat this week pushing grass growth up a gear. Magic day has happened, with Pasturebase Ireland showing that growth is at 55kg DM/ha, while demand is at 52kg DM/ha for dairy farmers measuring grass. While this sounds marginal, there will be varying levels of growth and demand from farm to farm, with some farmers growing over 30kg DM/ha over demand, with further increased growth set to kick in this week.
Jalex jaw droppers sees highs of £11,500 for commercials

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

While ex-show heifers and future show calf breeders commanded impressive prices at the Jalex Jaw Droppers sale, good-quality U and R grade in-calf heifers were of some value, given the current price of beef. Over 200 commercial lots went under the hammer at the on-farm sale, which was the first to gross over £1m for auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington.
Martbids Database: lower numbers keeping floor on price

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

Despite some negative sentiment regarding factory prices in the last fortnight, lower numbers of stock being presented at marts is helping to put a floor on price. While factory agents are more coy in spending, with quotes having been cut again this week, they are still relatively anxious for cattle, both finished lots and forward stores for feedlots.
Key tips to ensure a functioning silage pit this season

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

While grass growth had been sluggish up until recently, crops will soon be rapidly bulking up and harvesting of first-cut crops will begin by the middle of the month. Repairs to silage pits are a bit like milking parlours: there are often only four to six weeks in which they are not in use and repairs can be carried out.
Beef management: Heat detection, managing grass growth and worming suckler calve

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

Heat detection: Breeding has just kicked off for many, with cows that go in-calf this week hopefully calving in the last days of January/early February. An early turnout and settled weather have, for the most part, left cows in good body condition which should see good heats and conception to first service.
Grass+ Beef: growth ready to kick off on farms

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

There’s power in the sun this week as they say, and with temperatures in the high teens and low 20s we should really see growth kick in to gear after lagging behind for much of March and the start of April. ‘Magic day’ as it’s known, is the day when growth exceeds demand, with some of our farmers listed below having achieved this.
Strength and safety key focus for new suckler calving shed

3 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Martin Merrick

Bespoke calving sheds for sucklers are a rare thing. Often the lieback/creep is fitted with a calving gate which doubles up as a calving pen. Access to cows that may be temperamental post-calving, or assisting calves to suckle, is sometimes a challenge, and all too often risks are taken where they shouldn’t be in relation to cow temperament. I was lucky enough to recently visit something very different: a bespoke calving shed for a suckler herd in the west of Ireland.