Karen McCabe

Farmer Writes: investing for the future

There’s no time like the present to invest a bit of money into the future herd, writes Karen McCabe.

FARMER WRITES 1 July 2026

Farmer Writes: investing for the future

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Farmer Writes: a calf hiding in the rushes

Farmer Writes: a calf hiding in the rushes

FARMER WRITES 3 June 2026

Farmer Writes: cattle thriving well

Farmer Writes: cattle thriving well

FARMER WRITES 20 May 2026

Farmer Writes: an escapee heifer

Farmer Writes: an escapee heifer

Farmer Writes: an escapee heifer

FARMER WRITES 6 May 2026

Farmer Writes: exodus from the shed

Farmer Writes: exodus from the shed

Farmer Writes: exodus from the shed

FARMER WRITES 22 April 2026

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Farmer Writes: eventful start to calving

Farmer Writes: eventful start to calving

Karen McCabe had to summon the vet for a cow calving that needed a Caesarean – and that's when the fun started, she writes.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

Farmer Writes: a new jack for bull calves

Farmer Writes: a new jack for bull calves

After a quick rummage in the cow, I’d straightened out two bent front legs but I had an inkling it wasn’t going to be as simple as that.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

Farmer Writes: finally in the clear for TB

Farmer Writes: finally in the clear for TB

We’ve always had a couple of badger setts on the farm, but they’ve never caused us any bother.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

Farmer Writes: timely reminder to keep feed stores covered

Farmer Writes: timely reminder to keep feed stores covered

A yearling heifer didn’t figure out how to knock the lid off the feed tank after breaking out last week.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

Farmer Writes: €3,000 for roan heifer

Farmer Writes: €3,000 for roan heifer

One wonders if prices will be similar when the next batch of calves are being sold, with bluetongue and Mercosur on everyone’s mind.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

Farmer Writes: no Belgian Blue bulls this year

Farmer Writes: no Belgian Blue bulls this year

Writing up the due dates and bulls used into our high-tech AI notebook, I realised it’s the first time in over 30 years that we’ve not used a single Belgian Blue bull.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

Farmer Writes: the first calf of 2026 arrives

Farmer Writes: the first calf of 2026 arrives

It was heartening to see such a large turnout at the Mercosur protest despite the majority approval vote on Friday.

FARMER WRITES 14 January 2026

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How FJ Dynamics is supporting smarter decisions in the field

After more than two decades working with GPS technology, Tipperary contractor and dealer Robert O’Shea has witnessed precision farming become an increasingly important part of everyday farm management

How FJ Dynamics is supporting smarter decisions in the field

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