Darren Carty

The risk of importing new serotypes of the bluetongue virus continues to influence rules and regulations regarding where animals can be imported from.

The greatest risk of new diseases entering a flock is via purchased animals carrying diseases that are not present in the flock.

Ragwort has become more prominent on roadsides in recent weeks – but who is responsible for controlling it?

Groups and regular sellers are being paid €9.10/kg, while at the top end of the market, lower numbers are trading at €9.20/kg.

The projected financial performance has been dented by calf purchase costs increasing by €155/head and a projected fall in the base beef price.

The desired timeframe to weigh animals is between 150 and 250 days of age.

Teagasc have updated their store lamb finishing calculator with the programme a useful aid in determining in most suitable type of lamb to purchase or in making decisions to sell lambs

130 cattle have been transferred on to a finishing diet of high-quality silage and 6.5kg concentrates

The reserve champion in a hotly contested champion line-up was awarded to an excellent quality ewe lamb from the Tubber flock run by Liam and Eoin Dunne.

The Department is encouraging ACRES-approved advisers to complete scorecards highlighting that any outstanding scorecards after this date may affect issuing of advance payments.