Martin Merrick

mmerrick@farmersjournal.ie

The Grass Week: drought still persisting in south and east

Many counties are still dealing with a near complete lack of rainfall, while the western coast and north have seen growth rates hit near normal levels again.

GRASS & FEEDING 15 August 2026

The Grass Week: drought still persisting in south and east

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Reader questions; silage pits, planning permission, organics and costings

Reader questions; silage pits, planning permission, organics and costings

BUILDINGS 12 August 2026

Finishing off forage and market specifications key focus of organic farm walk

Finishing off forage and market specifications key focus of organic farm walk

MANAGEMENT 12 August 2026

MartBids analysis: heavy cattle rise but light cattle take a hit

MartBids analysis: heavy cattle rise but light cattle take a hit

MartBids analysis: heavy cattle rise but light cattle take a hit

MARKETS 12 August 2026

Trade steady in Cahir for all types of cattle

Trade steady in Cahir for all types of cattle

Trade steady in Cahir for all types of cattle

MARKETS 12 August 2026

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Keen demand for fleshed types in Ballinrobe

Keen demand for fleshed types in Ballinrobe

Martin Merrick reports from Ballinrobe mart, where trade was keen for fleshed cull ewes and finished lambs.

MARKETS 5 August 2026

Beef management: fodder supplies and SCEP weighing

Beef management: fodder supplies and SCEP weighing

Martin Merrick discusses assessing fodder supplies now and creating a plan, as well as the targets and timing of SCEP weighing.

MANAGEMENT 5 August 2026

Grass+ Beef: conditions remain tough as soil moisture deficits still bite

Grass+ Beef: conditions remain tough as soil moisture deficits still bite

Conditions on many beef farms, especially those east of the Shannon, remain tricky due to little to no rainfall.

GRASS & FEEDING 5 August 2026

The Grass Week: dry farms struggling to hit growth predictions

The Grass Week: dry farms struggling to hit growth predictions

While predictions for the week ahead are good for most of the country, many farms will continue to struggle due to near-nil rainfall.

GRASS & FEEDING 5 August 2026

Beef Management: managing grass, autumn-calving cows and first-calved heifers

Beef Management: managing grass, autumn-calving cows and first-calved heifers

Martin Merrick discusses managing tight grass and fodder supplies, calving commencing in autumn-calving herds and preferential treatment of first-calved heifers.

MANAGEMENT 5 August 2026

Maternal genetics and management key to success at IGA beef walk

Maternal genetics and management key to success at IGA beef walk

Sebena Moynaghs’s pedigree Charolais herd blows most commercial enterprises out of the water with regard kilos of beef produced per ha as well as the 370-day calving interval of the herd.

GRASS & FEEDING 5 August 2026

MartBids Database: weanlings hold firm but heavy cattle tougher trade

MartBids Database: weanlings hold firm but heavy cattle tougher trade

More factory cuts have weakened the heavy and store cattle trade, while exporters are holding up the weanling trade.

MARKETS 5 August 2026

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Looking for a reason to get out and explore this August?

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