THE European Parliament has called for new laws to protect farmers from abuses by dominant supermarket chains.

THE trade for breeding stock remains strong.

PRODUCING logs in order to meet each customer's requirement is a time-consuming task, especially if you are dealing with hardwood thinnings such as ash, beech or sycamore.

A European-wide recall of the Pfizer vaccine Pregsure BVD has been ordered amid concerns about a possible link between the vaccine and calf deaths from haemorrhaging.

Co-ops have the ability to pay a higher price for milk given the current buoyancy in world dairy markets, the ICMSA has claimed.

The support of up to 74 members of the ICSA's national executive may be required to enforce the removal of two senior officers from the association.

'It's a pity that the fine day does any harm." I remember hearing these words as a child and wondering what exactly they meant. After this year's cold, dry spring and very dry early summer, I think I'm beginning to understand their true meaning at last.

Munster AI has confirmed that the company will not have a stand at this month's National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co Kildare.

A massive biomass power plant fuelled by poultry litter and meat and bone meal in Northern Ireland is set to put serious pressure on the poultry industry south of the border.

The proposed purchase of Newmarket Co-op by Kerry Group has moved a step closer following shareholder approval for changes to the Cork co-op's rules.

There was a lot of bull talk at last week's Irish Grassland Association (IGA) beef conference and farm visits. First up with bulls was Dermot O'Connor, Carlow, member of the Better Farm Programme.

Weanling prices have bounced back over the past week as stronger competition between shippers and farmers has pushed on prices.

Up to 250 applicants languish on waiting lists in the hope that they will get a chance to study agriculture full time.

There's really no middle ground when it comes to horses: you're either into them or you're not -- and the people who are into them are often fanatical about them.

Beef farmers in Kilkenny are suffering on the double this week as a very sluggish trade is only adding to their new experience of losing an All-Ireland final.

A groundbreaking study of TB in cattle is to be undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland.

The breeding season should be finished now. However, stock bulls are still running on many farms. Cows bred now will calve next June, resulting in a short, non-profitable lactation in a grass-based system.

While one or two plants would have you believe that the week ahead for the lamb trade looks as dodgy as Henry Shefflin's knee, the general feeling is one of stability.

The nice spell of weather last week makes deepest winter seem far away. We all wish that were true, but prepare we must and now is the best time to do some chores.

A LOCAL businessman bought three of the four lots that made up a 54ac Co Wexford holding, which sold for over €600,000.