Irish Pig Sector Resilient in Face of Rising Costs
IRELAND - In 2011 the Irish pig industry has suffered the worst economic conditions in over 20 years, primarily due to escalating feed costs.

Ag to Consolidate Recent Growth through 2012
IRELAND - Following two years of impressive growth, the Irish agriculture sector is set to consolidate its position in 2012, according to a study released by Teagasc yesterday, 19 January 2012.

Minister Awards Funding to Animal Welfare Groups
IRELAND - The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, yesterday announced payments totalling €1.235m to organisations involved in animal care and welfare services. The payments...

Quality Feed for Pig Herds Can Add to Profit
IRELAND - Pig farmers can gain €10,350 on an average herd size by giving piglets quality feed rather than "cheap" creep ration in their critical first two months, according to one leading animal nut...

2011 Another Good Year for Farm Incomes
IRELAND - The latest estimate shows a 33.4 per cent rise in operating surplus for the agriculture sector.

Ireland's Pig Population up 2.4 Per Cent
IRELAND - The latest census (in June) reveals a pig population more than two per cent up on the year before although the breeding herd contracted by three per cent compared to the same month in 2010.

Rescue of Clonmel Pork Rib Processor Saves Jobs
IRELAND - Specialist pork rib processor Ribworld has been purchased out of receivership by M&M Walshe — part of the Callan Bacon Group — in a deal that secures the 65 jobs at the processing plant in...

Government Urged to Address Farmer Age Imbalance
IRELAND - Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA), Munster vice-president, Edmond Phelan, has warned that age profile of Irish farmers is not conducive to productive farming and unless steps...

Pig Farmers Not Benefiting from Rising Market
IRELAND - The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) says that Irish pig farmers are not benefitting despite the rise in pig market prices and strength in exports.

Producers' Frustration Grows as Prices Stick
IRELAND - Farmers at an emergency meeting expressed their fury that the pig price drop has not reversed.

Teagasc Urges Pig Farmers Urged to Cut Input Costs
IRELAND - Pressurised pig farmers can reduce input costs by up to €20 per tonne by increasing their use of cheaper feeds, culling earlier and availing of feed credit from banks, say Teagasc experts....

Teagasc Pig Farmers Conference
IRELAND - This year’s Teagasc National Pig Conferences are taking place today, Tuesday, 18 October at the Cavan Crystal Hotel, Cavan and tomorrow, Wednesday, 19 October at the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Thurles,...

Producers under Pressure while Processors Profit
IRELAND - Pork processors are making large profits while pig producers are suffering cuts, says the Irish Farmers Union (IFU).

Strong Pork Demand Leads to Surge in Exports
IRELAND - Strong demand in north-east Asia has delivered a surge in Irish pork exports to the core markets of China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, according to the latest Bord Bia analysis.

Top Chinese Pork Producers on First Trade Visit
IRELAND - What has been described as the most significant food trade delegation from China to visit Ireland is visiting this week.

Relentless Rise in Input Costs Erodes Price Gains
IRELAND - IFA President John Bryan said the relentless upward spiral in the main input costs, such as fertiliser, energy and feed is eroding commodity price gains.

IFA: Call for Reduction in Compound Feed Prices
IRELAND - IFA Pigs Chairman, Tim Cullinan has called on the compounders to reduce the price of compound feed immediately to reflect the lower market price of soya and wheat.

Minister Stresses on Importance of Livestock Sector
IRELAND - Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers in Hungary, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, said that he will be stressing the crucial...

Pig Farming Gets Boost with '100 Per Cent Irish' Deal
IRELAND - Wholesale groups Musgrave and Oliver Carty Ltd have signed a 2½-year deal to supply 100 per cent Irish bacon and ham in SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide.

IFA Pigs Chairman Criticises Absence of Retaliers
IRELAND - IFA National Pig and Pigmeat Committee Chairman Tim Cullinan has said he was very disappointed that neither Dunnes nor Musgraves attended a meeting set up by the Minister for Agriculture Simon...

Consumers Urged to Eat Local Produce This Week
IRELAND - Consumers tucking into a 'full Irish breakfast' made with Irish brands could be eating meat from a completely different country.

Teagasc: Road Maps for Farming and Food Sector
IRELAND - Irish agriculture is facing a period of change. The Food Harvest 2020 report sets out ambitious targets for the agriculture and food industry. Teagasc has outlined the developments required...

Pig Producers Protest to Highlight Weekly Losses
IRELAND - Speaking from a protest outside Connolly meats in Monaghan IFA Pigs Committee member Michael Caffrey said: "Pig feed prices have risen to an unsustainable level over the last number of months...

Millers' Attempt to Steal Prices Infuriates Pig Farmers
IRELAND - IFA Pigs Committee Chairman Tim Cullinan said the attempt by millers to increase pig feed prices is unjustified as barley, wheat, soya and maize have all decreased over the last number of weeks....

Pig Producers Must Ensure Price Continued Increase
IRELAND - IFA Pigs Committee Chairman Tim Cullinan has said last week’s increase of four Euro cents for the price of pigs must be followed up with further increases until farmers are brought back to...

Pig Farmers Plead for Help as Time Runs Out
IRELAND - "Guys are struggling and are just hitting a wall right now," warned an expert as he summed up the grave financial situation facing County Cavan pig farmers.

IFA Welcomes Vote Against EU/Mercosur Trade Talks
IRELAND - IFA President John Bryan welcomed the vote in the European Parliament today, criticising the EU Commission’s stance on the Mercosur trade negotiations. The Parliament adopted a report which...

UN Index Reinforces Importance of Food Security
IRELAND - Commenting on the latest report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation on food prices, IFA President John Bryan said the dramatic swings in prices underline the importance of food...

Pressure to Remove Korean Tariffs for Pork and Dairy
IRELAND - Irish food and drink producers stand to make significant gains if the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement leads to the elimination of tariffs on pork, dairy products and whiskey.

Producers on the Brink; Call for Protection of Sector
IRELAND - Speaking yesterday (Wednesday) at the launch of the Bord Bia campaign to Bring Home the Bacon, aimed at increasing the share of the home market for pig producers, IFA Pigs Committee...