Martin Merrick

mmerrick@farmersjournal.ie

The Grass Week: ideal grazing conditions could prove too tempting

As grazing 2026 finishes, it’s important to know when to pull the plug and house stock to save grass for spring.

GRASS & FEEDING 14 November 2026

The Grass Week: ideal grazing conditions could prove too tempting

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Weanling prices 11% lower than 2025 levels

Weanling prices 11% lower than 2025 levels

NEWS 11 November 2026

New calf shed means breakfast at 9am on 200-cow Waterford farm

New calf shed means breakfast at 9am on 200-cow Waterford farm

BUILDINGS 11 November 2026

Beef management: vaccines, closing up paddocks and SCEP genotyping.

Beef management: vaccines, closing up paddocks and SCEP genotyping.

Beef management: vaccines, closing up paddocks and SCEP genotyping.

MANAGEMENT 11 November 2026

Camera at the Mart: tops of €11,100 for springers in Balla

Camera at the Mart: tops of €11,100 for springers in Balla

Camera at the Mart: tops of €11,100 for springers in Balla

MARKETS 11 November 2026

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MartBids Database: three-year variation in weanling prices

MartBids Database: three-year variation in weanling prices

Martin Merrick looks at how weanling prices have looked across 2024, 2025 and 2026, with significant variations between the three.

MARKETS 11 November 2026

Camera at the Mart: factory agents active in Ballina

Camera at the Mart: factory agents active in Ballina

While finished lamb numbers were tight, buyers were present and active, with store lambs keenly sought by finishers.

MARKETS 11 November 2026

Grass+ Beef: superb finish to grazing 2026

Grass+ Beef: superb finish to grazing 2026

With grazing finished or finishing on many farms, Martin Merrick reflects on what was a challenging year for grass growth.

GRASS & FEEDING 11 November 2026

YoungStock Podcast: Meabh Byrne keeping many fires burning

YoungStock Podcast: Meabh Byrne keeping many fires burning

On this week’s podcast, Martin Merrick chats to Meabh Byrne about balancing home and working life, her idea about a single lab testing facility and being an ambassador for young girls.

PODCAST 9 November 2026

Snow and cold weather: two things farmers should prioritise for cattle and sheep

Snow and cold weather: two things farmers should prioritise for cattle and sheep

Animals can generally cope with cold weather but the challenge intensifies where cold weather combines with rain, hail and snow showers.

FARM SAFETY 8 November 2026

Inside a Waterford family's new €240,000 shed with room for 240 calves

Inside a Waterford family's new €240,000 shed with room for 240 calves

Martin Merrick looks at the Coffey family’s 8-bay calf shed which got it’s first use in spring 2026.

FARM BUILDINGS 8 November 2026

Ireland weather: five farm jobs to tackle before the next storm hits

Ireland weather: five farm jobs to tackle before the next storm hits

Martin Merrick discusses some key areas for farmers to focus on when it comes to being prepared for storms and snow fall this winter.

FARM SAFETY 7 November 2026

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Too much, too little – can science help farms with Ireland’s changing weather?

As Ireland celebrates Science Week from 8 to 15 November, coordinated by Research Ireland, the theme 'Water: from molecule to ocean' looks at how climate change alters the water systems we rely upon.

Too much, too little – can science help farms with Ireland’s changing weather?

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