Stocking rate

How sheep farmers can make the most of autumn's grass growth recovery

A spike in grass growth rates in recent weeks has allowed many farmers affected by drought to replenish supplies and has resulted in some very heavy covers developing on other farms

GRASS & FEEDING 30 September 2026

How sheep farmers can make the most of autumn's grass growth recovery

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Real-time nitrates figures on the horizon

Real-time nitrates figures on the horizon

SCHEMES 23 September 2026

Gorman backs tighter active farmer definition

Gorman backs tighter active farmer definition

NEWS 23 September 2026

Clover and multispecies the saviours for organic farms which were in drought

Clover and multispecies the saviours for organic farms which were in drought

Clover and multispecies the saviours for organic farms which were in drought

NEWS 19 September 2026

Dairy farmers reminded to record slurry movements to outblocks

Dairy farmers reminded to record slurry movements to outblocks

Dairy farmers reminded to record slurry movements to outblocks

NEWS 10 September 2026

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Irish farms rank among the lowest stocked in EU

Irish farms rank among the lowest stocked in EU

Just 41% of Irish grazing livestock farms are stocked above 1.4LU/ha, in contrast to over three quarters of grazing farms in the Netherlands and Belgium.

NEWS 17 June 2026

Slurry paper acres must stop, says UFU

Slurry paper acres must stop, says UFU

UFU president John McLenaghan has suggested that DAERA will become more active at enforcing rules around slurry exports going forward.

NORTHERN IRELAND 17 June 2026

Editorial: uncertain future for sheep farming

Editorial: uncertain future for sheep farming

Throughput of lambs and hoggets is still down over 80,000 head in the first six months of this year.

VIEWPOINTS 17 June 2026

Dairy farm incomes up 41% in 2025

Dairy farm incomes up 41% in 2025

Dairy farm incomes increased in 2025 as a result of higher milk, calf and cow prices and higher milk volumes. However, clear volatility has been seen in the sector over recent years.

NEWS 17 June 2026

Heatwave advice: managing rams and safely transporting sheep

Heatwave advice: managing rams and safely transporting sheep

An excessive spike in rams' body temperature could potentially lead to fertility issues.

MANAGEMENT 17 June 2026

320,000ha in BISS opt not to meet active farmer check through stocking rate

320,000ha in BISS opt not to meet active farmer check through stocking rate

Topping, running goats or keeping donkeys can be used to demonstrate the farm activity needed to claim BISS, in lieu of meeting the ewe/ha stocking rate check.

NEWS 17 June 2026

ICMSA sticks to 1LU/ha active farmer definition as it wants headage off table

ICMSA sticks to 1LU/ha active farmer definition as it wants headage off table

The ICMSA does not want to see coupled income supports introduced in the 2028-2034 CAP as it warned that any headage would require a reduction in funds for area-based schemes.

NEWS 17 June 2026

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Bord Bia launches HortLink to strengthen Ireland’s horticulture community

New grower-led network will foster collaboration, support emerging leaders and help attract the next generation of horticulture talent into the sector.

Bord Bia launches HortLink to strengthen Ireland’s horticulture community

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