Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

On the programme this week Pat O Toole from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about this weeks German general election and what the result will mean for EU policy and in turn Irish agriculture. Tom Cox auctioneer for the Irish Charolais Society speaks about the recent sale in Tullamore where star ratings were not displayed for the first time and it's impact on the trade. Padraig Egan from forestry group SEEFA gives an account of the huge amount of damage that forest owners sustained in the recent storm where new Minister Michael Healy Rae is being asked to aid with compensation for those affected. Noeleen Brereton from Teagasc gives an insight into a recent study done on when suckler cows are most likely to calve in a 24 hour period with the results making for interesting reading. Nick Kearney from Co. Offaly chats about an upcoming calf sale in Tullamore in aid of Offaly School of Special Education and Alice Doyle from the IFA gives an update on farmers waiting on ACRES payments.

Country Life with MJ Clery

On the programme this week MJ chats to Gordon Cobbe from GVM Tullamore on the current red hot cattle trade where prices are at an all time high. Ollie Ryan from Midland Vet speaks about the newly formed Merchants Alliance Ireland and how the current rules on purchasing dosing from merchants without a prescription is set to change in June of this year but they are lobbying for this to be delayed. Pat O Brien from the ICMSA speaks about how TAMS grants should be available on diesel generators as well as PTO driven generators to facilitate farmers with robot milkers. Paul Dillon from calfpens.ie speaks about his Colostrum Thaw Unit which will defrost 4 litres of colostrum from frozen in 25 minutes saving valuable time during calving season.

Country Life with MJ Clery Wednesdays from 7-8pm on Midlands 103

On the programme this week MJ chats to Professor Frank O Mara from Teagasc about their recent publication Advancing Innovation, Sustainability and Technical Performance of the Agri-Food Sector in 2024 where water quality, the age profile of farmers and fertiliser usage amongst other areas are examined. Lorcan Roche Kelly from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about the economic impact the Trump administration will have on Irish exports and how as a result of the high value of our exports to North America it is unlikely tariffs will have a huge effect on Irish farmers. Dale Kavanagh from dalekavanaghsteel.ie speaks about his Laois based business where his Quick Cage for transporting calves has become a viral sensation on Tik Tok with over 2 million views. Nigel Sweetnam IFA Poultry Chair chats about his recent meeting with the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen where the Mercosur agreement was discussed and how it would have a huge impact on the Irish poultry sector.

On the programme this week MJ chats to Declan Hanrahan IFA Beef Chair who is attending the 70th Annual IFA AGM, the main topic up for discussion is the visit of EU Commissioner for Food Christophe Hansen where Mercosur and our derogation will be the main items on the agenda. Stephen Robb from the Irish Farmers Journal chats about a landmark High Court ruling relating to a Co. Laois based wind development where the judge overturned An Bord Pleanála's decision and allowed the development to take place citing our Climate Laws as the overriding legislation. The Teagasc Sheep Conference takes place next week and Edward Egan chats about the differing areas that will be highlighted on the night from sheep handling facilities to ewe body scoring. IFAC have just launched their Irish Farm Survey for 2025 and Philip O Connor from the group chats about their findings including the fact that 23% of respondents say that the biggest barrier to succession is that the lifestyle does not appeal to the next generation.

On the programme this week MJ chats to ICMSA president Denis Drennan about the recent Foot and Mouth outbreak in Germany which has been contained but further vigilance is required especially when people are travelling to Ireland from to this area. Eoin O Catháin from the Irish Whiskey Association chats about a recent collaboration they have made with Maynooth University regarding a distilling course. With Bord Bia figures showing whiskey exports topping 1 billion euro for the first time in 2024, there is a huge demand for talent in this area. Alan Dillon from Teagasc Dairy Beef 500 speaks about an upcoming farm walk in Borris in Ossory focusing on calf care and an upcoming webinar which looks at bringing dairy beef calves through to finish.

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery

Country Life with MJ Clery every Wednesday from 7pm on Midlands 103. Keep up with everything agriculture and beyond.

On the programme this week MJ chats to Nicky Byrne from Teagasc about their recent Dairy Beef Calf Conference where margins of over €500 per acre were displayed from highly stocked early maturing steer systems using Aberdeen Angus calves. John Farrell from the Irish Grassland Association chats about their upcoming event entitled "Proud to be an Irish farmer and food producer". Stuart Rodgers a farmer from Co. Kildare who is presenting at the Bio Farm Conference 2024 chats about biodynamic farming and how this system of organic farming is undergoing a resurgence as farmers look to alternative farming methods. Joe Gorman from Garryhinch Wood Exotic Mushrooms chats about his business and their recent success at the National Organic Awards. The business which started growing traditional white mushrooms had to cease trading as a result of Brexit and have since completely changed their model to growing exotic organic mushrooms.

On the programme this week Aidan Brennan from the Irish Farmers Journal chats to MJ live from Washington DC where election fever is really starting to ramp up with Donald Trump edging the polls at the moment. Seamus McMenamin from Bord Bia chats about the sheep trade where demand is strong currently. He also chats about how one third of sheep farmers are not quality assured and this is having an impact when Bord Bia are selling lamb abroad as European consumers have extremely high standards when purchasing meat. Tom Cushen from Co. Laois is a cancer survivor and he speaks about upcoming free health checks being offered by the IFA around the country. Tom advocates the importance of regular health checks. Michael O Donovan from Teagasc speaks about the Grassland Climate Adaptation Conference where one of the topics of conversation was that our temperature and the amount of rainfall we receive has increased in the last number of decades.