Rachel Donovan

Moneygall

News Correspondent at Irish Farmers Journal

News Correspondent @FarmersJournal. UCD Ag Science graduate 2021. Tiobraid Árann abú

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Articles

Agri jobs: dairy work in Kilkenny and NZ

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

Two dairy jobs in NZTwo young dairy farmers are sought for work on a 1,130-cow dairy farm in Canterbury, New Zealand, between 20 July and 20 November. The farm covers 353ha and cows are milked in a 64-unit rotary parlour with automatic cluster removers. Accommodation can be provided on farm and competitive rates of pay are promised by the employer. Duties of the roles include milking, transporting calves, tractor driving and general farm work. To find out more, click here.
Bluetongue restrictions for cattle moving into Wales

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

All cattle and sheep will have to be tested for bluetongue virus before they can go from England to Wales, the Welsh government has announced. This pre-movement testing will come into effect from Friday 20 June and has been prompted by a somewhat relaxation of controls in England. A specific movement licence will be required for any susceptible animals on the move as well as a valid pre-movement test, which will be at the farmer's own expense.
Lakeland Dairies increases May milk price

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

Lakeland Dairies has increased its milk price for the month of May by 0.47c/l, excluding VAT. The cross-border co-op paid a price of 46.38c/l, excluding VAT, for April and is now paying 46.86c/l, excluding VAT for all milk supplied in May. This April price is inclusive of a 0.5c/l sustainability payment as well as a new 0.5c/l unconditional bonus which is adjusted for solids. Lakeland Dairies had been holding its milk price 46.38c/l, excluding VAT, since February.
Tractor driving test being considered

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

The introduction of a tractor driving test is currently being considered by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal. The RSA has said that alongside a driving test, a mandatory training programme could also come into play from 2027 onwards. This will affect those applying for category W-only (tractor) learner permits.
Hansen vows to fight for CAP budget

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

“You can tell the Irish farmers that I will be fighting for the best possible options,” Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen told the Irish Farmers Journal in Brussels last week while speaking about maintaining a ringfenced budget for agriculture in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The European Commission is set to unveil its plans for the post-2027 CAP next month alongside its proposals for the next long-term EU budget.
Higher prices need to be returned to sheep farmers - IFA

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

Sheep processing factories have to stand a lot stronger in the marketplace to return higher prices to sheep farmers, IFA sheep chair Adrian Gallagher has said. The sector lost a further 94,000 breeding ewes in the past year and the numbers are down at figures not seen since 2014 - throughput in factories dropped by over 370,000 head in 2024 and is currently back over 160,000 on last year, Gallagher said.
Band spraying demos to feature at Oakpark's crop open day

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

A live field vegetable crop establishment and band spraying demonstration will take place in Teagasc Oak Park, Carlow, on Wednesday, 25 June as part of the Crops and Technology Open Day. Teagasc has invited growers and industry to attend the event which takes place in less than two weeks. Some of the latest developments and commercial machinery for planting/drilling brassicas, root crops, alliums and cucurbits suitable for various farm scales will be demonstrated live.
Factories need to reverse recent price cuts - IFA

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

Factories need to take a longer-term view on beef prices and reverse the recent price cuts they are attempting, IFA livestock chair Declan Hanrahan has said. Supplies of finished cattle are extremely tight with numbers, based on Bord Bia projections and the strong live export trade, expected to be down almost 100,000 cattle for processing between now and year end.
'Dairying at Dusk' farm walk in Tipperary attracts big crowds

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

Hundreds walked the Walsh family farm in Ballylooby, Co Tipperary on Tuesday evening 10 June to see the steps being taken to protect the environment. John and Brendan Walsh won the 2024 Teagasc/FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards. They milk 165 cows on a platform of 63ha and a total grassland area of 107ha, and supply Dairygold co-op.
West to avoid heavy showers and thundery weather

2 weeks ago | farmersjournal.ie | Rachel Donovan

Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry are to avoid heavy showers and localised thunderstorms this Wednesday and Thursday as Met Éireann has issued a yellow warning for the rest of the country. Spot flooding and lightning damage are among the possible impacts, according to the national weather forecaster, which expects Cork and Waterford will be hit first. A thunderstorm warning is in place for both counties from 8pm on Wednesday until 3am Thursday morning.