Breifne O'Brien

Breifne O

Breifne O’Brien hails from a suckler, beef and sheep farm in Co. Cavan. He studied Agri-Environmental Science in UCD. During his college years, he presented an agri-focused radio show on Belfield FM called 'Keepin' it Country'. In addition to his knowledge and passion for Irish agriculture; he also recently gained extensive international experience through time spent working on a 4,500-cow dairy farm in South Dakota in the US.

Tips and advice on improving ventilation in existing cattle sheds
Tips and advice on improving ventilation in existing cattle sheds

Improving air movement and ventilation in existing cattle sheds can be achieved in many cases without incurring significant construction costs....

Frosty conditions impact livestock sales across Ireland
Frosty conditions impact livestock sales across Ireland

The recent cold snap and subsequent frosty conditions have impacted livestock sales across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern...

Value of using data records to benchmark farm performance
Value of using data records to benchmark farm performance

While farmers cannot control weather, market prices or input costs, many of the key drivers of profitability are factors that...

Rural focus revisit: Building a 150,000 head feedlot in Nebraska
Rural focus revisit: Building a 150,000 head feedlot in Nebraska

A group of cattle feeders from Canada and the US have come together to develop a brand-new 150,000 head beef...

EU beef production falls by 169,000t in first 8 months of 2025
EU beef production falls by 169,000t in first 8 months of 2025

EU beef production has fallen by 169,000t year-on-year to 4.2 million tonnes (Mt) from January to August of 2025 versus...

Brazilian beef sector pushing to align with global standards
Brazilian beef sector pushing to align with global standards

There has been a rise in demand from Brazilian beef producers for more reliable beef genetics with semen sales for...

Putting a plan in place for feeding store and beef cattle this winter
Putting a plan in place for feeding store and beef cattle this winter

Winter housing is now underway in most parts of the country and with this, pits of silage and cuts of...

Update from ABP’s UK red meat sustainability programme
Update from ABP’s UK red meat sustainability programme

ABP Food Group has published an update on its UK-based farmer-led programme aimed at helping beef and lamb producers to...

US beef prices up 30% as supplies to fall further in 2026
US beef prices up 30% as supplies to fall further in 2026

US beef prices in September 2025 are running 30% or $1.96/kg (€1.69/kg) ahead of the same time last year, with...

EU lamb imports surpass 99,000t – up 20% or 6,300t on last year
EU lamb imports surpass 99,000t – up 20% or 6,300t on last year

A total of 99,400t of fresh and frozen lamb has been imported into the EU from non-EU countries between January...

Enniskillen School takes 2025 ABP Angus Youth Challenge title
Enniskillen School takes 2025 ABP Angus Youth Challenge title

Four students from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in Co. Fermanagh have been crowned the overall winners of the 2025 ABP...

Irish members win top titles at 2025 Aberdeen Angus YDP Finals
Irish members win top titles at 2025 Aberdeen Angus YDP Finals

Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme (YDP) members from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland took the three overall titles...

Sommet de l’Élevage agri-show commences in France today
Sommet de l’Élevage agri-show commences in France today

The 34th edition of the Sommet de l’Élevage agricultural show kicks off this morning (Tuesday, October 7) in Clermont-Ferrand, France....

DAFM: 365,500 sheep entered Ireland from NI in 2024
DAFM: 365,500 sheep entered Ireland from NI in 2024

The number of sheep that entered the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland in 2024 totalled just over 365,500 head....

Factory quotes: Further price reductions for Ploughing week
Factory quotes: Further price reductions for Ploughing week

This week’s factory quotes for beef cattle have seen processors move to reduce their price offerings again this week. The...

Tips for autumn-calving suckler farmers to keep in mind
Tips for autumn-calving suckler farmers to keep in mind

Autumn calving may already have kicked off on some farms, but preparation will now be well underway for herds calving...

Scanning spring-calving suckler cows 30 days post-breeding
Scanning spring-calving suckler cows 30 days post-breeding

Spring-calving suckler herds that finished breeding in the last week of July can scan cows from now onwards. The best...

‘Further consolidation in the meat-processing sector is likely’ – AHDB
‘Further consolidation in the meat-processing sector is likely’ – AHDB

Current economics and trends in livestock numbers “may suggest further consolidation in the meat processing sector is likely” in the...