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.

Movement restrictions on livestock to and from NI removed
Movement restrictions on livestock to and from NI removed

Agriculture ministers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have today (Thursday, March 5) moved to lift livestock...

Bluetongue: Live trade of cattle to NI issue expected to be ‘resolved’ in days
Bluetongue: Live trade of cattle to NI issue expected to be ‘resolved’ in days

Current bluetongue restrictions banning the movement of cattle and sheep to Northern Ireland, other than directly to slaughter, could be...

EuroStar Index ’emotive but effective at getting farmers engaged’ – ICBF CEO
EuroStar Index ’emotive but effective at getting farmers engaged’ – ICBF CEO

The EuroStar Index has been “very emotive” but has also been “extremely effective in actually getting farmers engaged”, according to...

‘Transformative’ new livestock breeding strategy launched in NI
‘Transformative’ new livestock breeding strategy launched in NI

Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG) has today (Tuesday, February 17) officially launched a document which sets out its “vision and priorities...

Ensuring safety at calving on suckler and dairy farms this spring
Ensuring safety at calving on suckler and dairy farms this spring

The spring calving season is fast approaching on both suckler and dairy farms across Ireland and is a high-risk period...

AgriSearch Beef Conference kicks off in Portadown
AgriSearch Beef Conference kicks off in Portadown

The 2026 AgriSearch Beef Conference titled: ‘Beefing Up Performance – Driving Productivity and Profitability’ kicked off this morning (Tuesday, January...

338 jobs at risk as ABP to cease retail packing at Dungannon site
338 jobs at risk as ABP to cease retail packing at Dungannon site

ABP Linden has confirmed its intention to cease retail packing at its facility based at Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon,...

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...