Irish Farmers Journal podcasts

In this special podcast from The Irish Farmers Journal, Aidan Brennan is joined by Agri Business Editor Lorcan Roche Kelly for an in-depth look at one of the biggest pressures facing farming today—the global fuel crisis.As energy prices surge, we unpack what’s really driving the spike, from geopolitical tensions to market dynamics, and what it all means on the ground for Irish farmers and contractors. From diesel costs to the ripple effects on fertiliser, feed, and transport, this episode connects the global picture to the reality on Irish farms.Lorcan brings his expertise to break down the latest government supports, explaining new measures aimed at easing the burden of rising diesel prices, and outlining exactly how taxes like excise, carbon tax, and VAT are impacting agricultural fuel costs.We also examine the role of conflict in the Middle East in pushing energy markets higher—and crucially, whether any resolution could lead to meaningful price relief in the months ahead.If you’re trying to make sense of rising costs and what they mean for your business now and into the future, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Well-known dairy farmer Katie Gleeson is this week’s guest on the Young Stock Podcast, joining Sarah McIntosh and Martin Merrick. With over 32.3k followers on her Instagram account Katie in the Country, she is well known for promoting agriculture to the general public online. Not originally from a farming background, Katie qualified as a hairdresser and opened her own salon. She married her husband Phil and built a family home on their dairy farm. While raising their three children, Daniel, Faye and Jack, Katie began sharing the realities of farming online because of her love of photography. Since then, Katie has grown a large following and partners with brands and organisations as a farming influencer. She is also a farm ambassador for the National Dairy Council (NDC) and a member of Dairy Women Ireland.Three years ago, Katie went back to college as a mature student and studied agriculture and sustainability at Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Thurles. Now on professional work experience with Agri Aware, Katie discusses her college course and the opportunities for ag graduates in the sector.Sarah and Martin also discuss their pet peeves, favourite languages and why a chance DM has led Martin to question if love is blind.

This week, Stephen chats to Adam on the protests and a lift in the beef trade, Martin talks about the TAMS budget while Aidan discusses milk price and dairy markets. Siobhán joins us to talk about this year’s Crop Protection Magazine for all the latest in plant protection products. Stephen also caught up with Peter Linden from Grassland AGRO to chat about fertiliser options for grazing and silage ground. Join the Farm Tech Talk communityWe 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  Farm Alert is now available for beef and sheep farmers as well as dairy farmers. Manage your herd and flock health with ease by signing up at www.farmalert.ie. To get started, watch our quick guide on how to register and set up your account https://youtu.be/zZD-8C7X4LgLearn how to build your calendars to receive automated text reminders https://youtube.com/shorts/uPDisMFEY-k

On this week’s podcast we chat through fieldwork and jobs to be done. We take a look at Crop Protection Magazine and have the grain market and weather reports. This week we have an interview with Steve Dennis of BASF on product development and much more. The Tillage Podcast is supported by Bayer Crop Science.

Inside the Farmers Journal: fuel price protests cause chaosOn this week’s show, the team hears from protestors at the fuel price demonstration and discusses the protest.Get in touch with the show by leaving a comment below or email news@farmersjournal.ie

In a week shaped by fuel protests and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, we break down what it all means for Irish dairy farmers — from input costs to global market ripple effects.Back on home soil, we dig into the Dairygold annual report, highlighting the key insights and what they signal for the months ahead.Our featured interview is with Limerick dairy farmer John McNamara, who shares his perspective on meal feeding — what’s working, what’s not, and where farmers should focus.Plus, we tackle one of the big on-farm decisions: heifer breeding — to synch or not? We weigh up the pros and cons to help you decide what’s right for your system. To contact the show, leave a comment below, or email us on insidedairy@farmersjournal.ie To hear the full episode of Inside Dairy, subscribe now.Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at www.ifj.ie/podcasts.

In this episode of Young Stock, hosts Daire Cregg and Sarah McIntosh sit down with one of Ireland’s most recognisable and outspoken business figures, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary. Blending sharp insight with candid conversation, the episode explores the mindset, decisions, and realities behind success across both aviation and agriculture.From the outset, the discussion dives into Michael’s early years, unpacking when his entrepreneurial instincts first took shape. The conversation then shifts to his deep roots in farming, where he explains the thinking behind his move into pedigree breeding and his preference for Angus cattle.Hiring and people management take centre stage as Michael shares why he values employees from farming backgrounds and how that perspective translates into business performance. Looking ahead, the trio tackle big-picture questions around the future of beef farming, including profitability, land consolidation, and whether scaling up is essential for survival in today’s agricultural landscape.The episode also explores the aviation side of his empire, with Sarah probing into rising fuel costs and what they could mean for holidaymakers, even with Ryanair’s fuel hedging strategies in place. Meanwhile, Daire raises the increasingly pressing issue of land prices, asking what levels may be considered unsustainable.On a more personal note, listeners get a glimpse beyond the boardroom and farmyard, as Michael reflects on his bucket list ambitions, daily routine, and how he balances a demanding career across multiple industries. The episode wraps with a look at his interests outside of work, from sport to horse racing and beyond.Insightful, honest, and grounded, this episode offers a rare look into the mindset of a leader operating at the intersection of global business and Irish agriculture.

This week, Stephen chats to Adam on TB changes and the beef trade, Darren talks about nitrates derogation applications and scheme updates while Daire discusses dairy markets and North Cork Creameries. Join the Farm Tech Talk communityWe 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  Farm Alert is now available for beef and sheep farmers as well as dairy farmers. Manage your herd and flock health with ease by signing up at www.farmalert.ie. To get started, watch our quick guide on how to register and set up your account https://youtu.be/zZD-8C7X4LgLearn how to build your calendars to receive automated text reminders https://youtube.com/shorts/uPDisMFEY-k