Noel Bardon

Tractors stretching for many kms west of Athlone ahead of the Independent Ireland Mercosur protest. No sign of numbers slowing ahead of the 11am kick off. Check out @farmersjournal for more.

Tractors stretching for many kms west of Athlone ahead of the Independent Ireland Mercosur protest. No sign of numbers slowing ahead of the 11am kick off. Check out @farmersjournal for more.

The Green Party's core vote remains strong, but this core is not enough to get seats across all areas, new Party leader Roderic O'Gorman states. More at @farmersjournal

Another Dublin leader for Greens: Roderic O'Gorman announced as successor to Eamon Ryan as Green Party leader. Senator Pippa Hackett edged out by a margin of 72 votes. 🗳 984 v 912 Check out @farmersjournal for more.

Teagasc's Eddie Burgess tells @LakelandDairies water quality event in Longford that timing is vital when it comes to applying P. Differences between what constitutes "good water quality" highlighted too. Eutrophication metrics v diff to drinking water quality. @farmersjournal

Plenty of farmer interest in the consequences of a development on their land being sold by initial developer . Panel agreed that a sound initial lease agreement is key, with plenty of legal advice along the way to keep contracts in check. @farmersjournal Renewables Roadshow

@teagasc energy specialist Barry Caslin summarises farmers' standing in negotiating the lease of their lands to renewable developers. "If deals are not favourable for farmers involved, the deals will fall down... it will kill the industry off". @farmersjournal

The European Parliament has just voted to pass the EU nature restoration law, with the law passing by 329 votes to 275 - find out the details here. eu1.hubs.ly/H07Ql1M0

Gardaí have cleared Athlone Springs Hotel of non-residents. Farmer protesters not identifying with any group have stated they will not leave until they can speak with Min McConalogue. Gardaí called to the premises multiple times since ~ 10pm. @farmersjournal

7 tractors gathered outside Athlone Springs while Min McConalogue addresses ICSA conference. They say they were not involved in a separate protest in another part of the county. (Not affiliated with ICSA either). @farmersjournal

Clearing outstanding ACRES payments is the "number one" priority of Dept, Min McConalogue tells @ICSAIreland conf in Athlone. Westmeath's Sean McNamara has taken over as president after Dermot Kelleher completed his leg of the split term. @farmersjournal

Seamus Fagan from Athlone RVL: "keeping records is half the battle" when it comes to diagnosing disease in flocks. @TeagascSheep panel discussing OPA, barber's pole worms and abortion issues. RVL tests cost "the same as the kennel" fee but gives valuable info @farmersjournal

Keen interest in @ifac_ireland Martin Clarke on farm succession. Avoid pitfalls when drafting will: - cater for retiring farmer's income needs - consider Fair Deal scheme - cover all assets (entitlements) - know impact on successor's income tax @farmersjournal

Kicking off @teagasc National Sheep Conference in Athlone is director Frank O'Mara. Teagasc projections show a decrease in farm costs in 2024 after a tough year for margins. @farmersjournal

Great to see this piece by @NoelBardon of @farmersjournal on our @EPAResearchNews and @opwireland funded @SloWaters_Ire out today (on #Solstice ). Here we are sitting at the mini-spillway that we nicknamed #newgrange . Read more on the project: slowaters.eu

#DairyDay discussions are moving on to nitrates now. @aidan_bren speaking with two dairy farmers on the impact of nitrates changes on their fams. @teagasc Laurence Shalloo giving the science of water quality and grass-based systems. @farmersjournal

Clock counting down to @farmersjournal live debate with the two candidates in the running to be next IFA president. Don't forget to WhatsApp the questions you want put to the candidates to 086 8366465. Link to watch 👇kick off at 7:30pm.

The new €300m per year ACRES scheme is only a "Mickey Mouse REPS scheme," Gorman responds. He says IFA has been selling itself short for too long. Govt can find money if they go looking for it, Gorman adds, before alluding to banking bailout. @farmersjournal

IFA presidential candidate Francie Gorman reitares calls for a €15,000 agri-environmental scheme for all farmers. Martin Stapleton warns farmers in Navan that Gorman could be trying to "buy their vote" with money that isn't there. @farmersjournal

Bord Bia audits need simplification, especially on the IT-side, Pat Murphy says in response to a question from the floor. Alice Doyle is afraid "there could be even more" coming in audits when responding to the same question. @farmersjournal

IFA deputy presidential debate kicks off in Navan. Members from Dublin, Meath and Louth get the chance to question the candidates tonight. Both Alice Doyle and Pat Murphy want IFA back in on Farmers Charter meetings. @farmersjournal