Laois man shares his experience following trip to Kenya to learn about farming practices
Luggacurren man George Ramsbottom, who is a dairy specialist with Teagasc, recently visited Kenya to gain a better understanding of farming practices there.
In conjunction...
Fears that costly badger vaccination programme will increase population and negatively impact livestock
Local Fianna Fail Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick says he fears that the badger vaccination programme will have an adverse impact on livestock.
The Portarlington based Councillor,...
BREAKING: National Ploughing Championships confirmed for Laois once again in 2023
The National Ploughing Championships are set to return to Ratheniska in Laois once again in 2023.
The news was confirmed this evening by managing director...
In Pictures: Wonderful selection of images from Day 1 of the Ploughing
Over 91,000 spectators attended Day 1 of the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska.
It was like old times as thousands thronged to the hugely popular...
Laois Macra group briefed on study into how beef cattle emissions can be reduced
Members from the Laois Chapter of Macra na Feirme recently visited ABP’s Demonstration Farm in Clonegal in Carlow.
The group received a briefing on results...
‘Minister confirms ploughing and tilling ban being considered on carbon rich soils in the...
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed that proposals are being examined which may include recommending a ban on ploughing and...
Laois Macra group planning first event of new season with ‘pizza party’
Ard Eireann Macra na Feirme is set to hold its first event of the new Macra year this Friday.
On September 9 from 8pm, the...
Laois farming couple receive joint honoury life membership of Irish Farmers’ Assocation
A Ballybrittas farming couple received joint honorary life membership of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) at a function in the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise, recently.
Tillage...
Full steam ahead for Anna May as countdown is on for National Ploughing Championships
Her working days kick off from 7.30am and she is busy late into the night. The powerhouse that is octogenarian Anna May McHugh, managing...
Good yields but fertiliser price threatens margin for tillage farmers for Harvest 2023, says...
IFA national Grain Chairman Kieran McEvoy, from Emo, has said winter barley, winter oats and winter rape are now all completed - but concerns...
Belgian Blue All Ireland competitions held at Osssory Show
After a three-year hiatus, the Ossory Show returned last weekend - and one new feature as the Irish Belgian blue cattle-breeding society brought their...
‘Farm incomes are not poker chips that Government parties can gamble recklessly with’ says...
Government parties are treating the agri-sector and farm incomes as if they were poker chips on the gambling table, a local TD has said.
Independent...
‘Fear factor’ preventing farmers and producers from making complaints over ‘unfair trading practices’
The Unfair Trading Practice’s (UTP) Enforcement Authority has said that while the number of complaints it has received to date is relatively low, this...
New kid on the block in Laois as Macra set to wake from Covid...
Following a Covid-19 imposed slumber, Macra is back with a bang for young people throughout west Laois – with a catchy new name to...
Extra precautions urged on Laois farms ahead of busy summer season
As the summer days get longer, temperatures (hopefully) begin to rise, and children are on their school holidays, John Fitzpatrick, Laois IFA chairman, describes...
From the Archives – Forty years of local, national and international farming memories
This piece was originally published on LaoisToday in 2018 following Larry O'Loughlin's retirement from Teagasc after a varied 40-year career.
Things were very different when...
Mountmellick Macra to host walk on award winning Laois dairy farm
Mountmellick Macra is to host a walk on an award winning Laois dairy farm next week.
They will host an informative evening on Friday May...
Laois to host World Ploughing Contest later this year after venue switched following Russian...
As well as the National Ploughing Championships, Laois will play host to the World Ploughing contest later this year.
Ratheniska will host the world event...
24 Laois farmers hit with burned land penalties in 2021 Basic Payment Scheme
A total of 24 Laois farmers were hit with deductions to their 2021 Basic Payment Scheme after it was proven that land had been...
Farmers warned to double down on safety measures as fertiliser and fuel costs lead...
Farmers have been urged to double down on safety measures on their farm and be highly aware of who they're buying from as fuel...
Average price of farmland in Laois creeps up again
The average price of farmland in Laois increased once again in 2021, according to the recent Irish Farmers Journal Land Price Survey.
The average price per...
CAP information meetings will reveal the ‘depressing reality’ of cuts, says South Leinster IFA...
IFA South Leinster Regional chairman Francie Gorman said the decision by the Department of Agriculture to have only one CAP information evening in South...
‘It is baffling to think that the Department are considering reintroducing quotas’ says Macra...
The Laois man who is the national Macra na Feirme president has said the suggestion of re-introducing Milk Quotas is "baffling" and has hit...
Mountmellick Macra win All-Ireland title for top class variety show
For the first time ever, Mountmellick Macra na Feirme have won the national FBD Capers competition final.
On Saturday March 5, in Cappoquin Community Centre,...
Brian Rushe: ‘The way Irish food is produced – there is demand for that...
Brian Rushe, the deputy president of the IFA, says that the government needs to remember the social and economical value of agriculture in the...
Laois tillage farmer among the winners at Glanbia grain supplier of the year awards
A well-known Laois tillage farmer has been listed among the winners at this year's Glanbia grain supplier of the year awards.
Bobby Miller, who farms...
Ossory Show to be hosted again in July after two-year absence
The Ossory Show, one of Ireland's longest-running agricultural shows, will be held again this year after a two-year absence.
Cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because...
‘The IFA don’t have any threat any more – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael...
The first in-person Laois IFA AGM was held in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel this week - and it featured a number of emotive contributions...
Input costs and climate change challenges among the issues for farmers in 2022, Laois...
Laois IFA chairman John Fitzpatrick says that the biggest challenge for farmers this year will be the price of inputs while the issues of...
Sadness in Rathdowney and beyond at the passing of PJ Butler
There was sadness in Rathdowney and beyond this week at the death of the widely-respected PJ Butler.
Mr Butler served as secretary of Rathdowney IFA...
