Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) national sheep chairman Sean Dennehy has said wool prices need to rise significantly to cover the costs and work associated with shearing.

As part of the week-long agri-trade mission to China and Hong Kong, the Minister for Agriculture Food & Marine, Michael Creed, today (Thursday, May 17) oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding, committing to an Irish presence at the China International Import Expo taking place in November 2018 in Shanghai.

Major price cuts by co-ops in the last two months, added to very poor weather, depressing volumes and constituents, and increasing feed costs, have eroded margins massively and caused major hardship and frustration for dairy farmers, according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). Co-ops must continue to support farmers with the strongest possible milk price for April, according to IFA national dairy committee chairman, Tom Phelan. 

The much-anticipated Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Grass & Muck will take place at Gurteen College on May 17. Over 11,000 visitors attended the 2016 event, and the organisers are confident of exceeding that number this year, writes Gary Ryan, CEO, FTMTA.

With up to 50 per cent of GPs expected to retire in the coming years, parts of rural Ireland may be left without their local and trusted GP. Irish Farmers Monthly speaks to 29-year-old Dr Maitiú O Tuathail, from Co. Galway, recently appointed president of the National Association of General Practitioners, about the challenges facing general practice in Ireland today and finding solutions to ensure there are sufficient numbers of young GPs to keep general practice alive and well across Ireland.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Michael Creed has confirmed that over 129,700 farmers applied online for the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in advance of the May 15 deadline.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, is leading a large delegation of Irish food industry representatives on a week-long trade mission to China and Hong Kong.

James Heanue is sales manager for Ireland for McHale Farm Machinery, based in Mayo. In an interview with Matt O’Keeffe, James outlines the development of McHale into a major international farm machinery manufacturer and the success of the company in developing and building machines that can cope with rigorous Irish working conditions.