Irish Farmers Journal podcasts

On this week’s episode, Niamh Murphy speaks to Matthew Ryan, on his experience of studying veterinary medicine in Poland.Coming from a beef farming background, Sligo native Matthew always had a desire to become a vet.However, when it became clear that a near-perfect Leaving Cert would have to be achieved in order for him to obtain a place in UCD’s course, he began to look elsewhere.In March of his Leaving Cert year, he travelled to Poland to look at universities to study veterinary, which he said assured him that this was a feasible option and a place he could see himself living and studying.He found the transition to Poland relatively easy, helped by the strong Irish community over there and welcoming professors, friendly peers and an enjoyable city to be in.Now three years in, he says he has no regrets has gained an experience he would never have been able to in Dublin.He looks forward to returning home to practice as a large animal vet in the coming years.

Down to Agribusiness: Chicken expansion, tax breaks and Budget 2027On this week’s Down to Agribusiness, Stephen and Lorcan discuss McDonalds chicken expansion plans, the FBD Trust’s bumper year, the ESB’s green bond success, R&D tax credits, solar farm planning and producer organisations.The interview this week is with Ian Mernagh, CEO of Greentech HQ, Ireland’s first business sustainability innovation hub based in Enniscorthy, and founder of All About Nectar. The team also look ahead to see what Budget 2027 might have in store.To subscribe to the show click here.

This week, Aidan chats to the panel about the controversy surrounding Bord Bia’s Larry Murrin. The panel also share their thoughts on livestock trade, a new shed built without a TAMS grant and the NDC / Kerrygold quality milk awards.We welcome any feedback and questions you have for the Farm Tech Talk team. Please email farmtechtalk@farmersjournal.ie or send a text or voice note to our WhatsApp number 086 836 6465Click here if you would like a weekly email notification when Farm Talk is released https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1LkIraRklQcK5mClBGXTpFgets9e

Grain prices are the big news in tillage this week with the announcement of harvest 2026 prices from Tirlán and Dairygold. Costs are a big factor in profitability this year and we chat with IFAC on margins. We also chat using slurry efficiently on farms and setting up your tyres correctly. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science.

fuel protest threats, CAP meetings, and poultry farmer outlookOn this week's podcast, we look back on a fired-up fuel protester group meeting in Moate, Co Westmeath, and the latest IFA CAP meeting, in Athy, Co Kildare. Poultry meat, dairy farmers, and cheese also make the agenda.

What can farmers earn from renewable energy?Description: Stephen Robb hosts the Farming and Renewable Energy session at this year’s National Ploughing Championships, speaking with Kevin Carey, Director of Business Development at Atlantic Energy Consultants; Aidan Stakelum, Community Engagement Lead at Perigus Energy; Sean Crowley, Large Industrial & Renewable Gas Sales Manager at Gas Networks Ireland; and Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs at Wind Energy Ireland, about the opportunities for farmers in renewable energy.

Inside Dairy - Milk league movements and the prospect of higher payments for grass-fed dairyOn this week's Inside Dairy podcast, Aidan and Daire discuss one dairy farmer's approach to rebuilding silage stocks and the latest movements in the Irish Farmers Journal monthly milk league. They also tackle the thorny issue of the grass-fed standard and whether the market could pay more for dairy products that meet it.Plus, we hear from Bank of Ireland's Susan Maher, who spoke to the team at the National Ploughing Championships on all things finance and credit.

On this week’s episode, Wicklow natives Edward, James and Patrick Walsh join Sarah McIntosh and Hannah Furlong to discuss their new show which shines a light on contractors.Running their own contractor and agri hire business, the identical Walsh triplets have become household names staring on TG4s new show Contractors which airs Thursday evenings at 9:20pm.The business was started in 1957 by their late father Ned, who sadly passed away three years ago. Having been involved in the business for 20 years, Edward, James and Patrick are now running the company and “keep the flag flapping in the wind” in their dads honour.They discuss the challenges of drought, which has resulted in a lot of work on farms still needing to be done. Along with this the increased fuel prices have put a massive financial toll on contractors including Walshe’s, as they ‘don’t know where it will stop’.Filming TG4s Contractors show ‘has been a great laugh’ for the brothers, even though they admit they aren’t used to being filmed.

Down to Agribusiness: Ploughing, planning and budget wish-list This week on the show, Stephen and Lorcan debrief the three-day festival of farming that was the National Ploughing Championships, whether the global protein boom has been overhyped, and take a look at Ireland’s agri-food exports for July. They also talk to Donal Whelton, Head of Agri, Food and Fisheries at AIB, and look at planning decisions, fertiliser funds, and what the industry is looking for from Budget 2027.To subscribe to the show click here.