With June well underway, Irish farmers are juggling a busy silage season, shifting milk markets, and some important CAP scheme deadlines. Here is a round-up of the key stories making the news this week.
Silage Season: Weather Disruption but Strong Grass Growth
Scattered showers across Ireland this week have brought a temporary halt to silage cutting on many farms, particularly in wetter areas of the South and West. However, the upside is that grass growth has been exceptional — surpassing 90kg DM/ha in some regions — meaning there will be plenty to cut once the weather settles.
Farmers who have been unable to get surplus paddocks cut due to the wet conditions should be ready to move quickly when the next dry spell arrives. Late fertiliser applications in some areas have pushed the cutting window further into June, so there is still a good second cut ahead for those who have patience.
At Kehoe Farming, we know that good quality forage is the backbone of any efficient livestock operation. If ground conditions or weather have left your winter forage stocks short, our FibreGold Haylage is available year-round as a dust-free, consistent alternative to supplement your silage supply.
Milk Prices: Tirlán Sets Floor Price for Summer Months
Tirlán confirmed on June 18th that it has set a floor milk price of 38.08c/L (including VAT) for June, July, and August supplies. This comes after a difficult period for dairy farmers, with prices falling from a peak of 48.63c/L in June 2025 to around 34.3c/L by December 2025.
The ICMSA’s Dairy Committee chairperson, Noel Murphy, noted there is now “a more positive feel” around upcoming milk price announcements — welcome news for dairy farmers who have had a tough twelve months managing tight margins.
For those managing dairy cow nutrition through the summer flush, maintaining a high-fibre diet alongside grazing is key to avoiding digestive issues and maintaining butterfat. Speak to us about our FibreGold range of fibre-based feeds for dairy cows.
Bord Bia Governance Review: IFA Seeks Ministerial Meeting
IFA President Francie Gorman this week sought an urgent meeting with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon to discuss the findings of the Bord Bia governance review, carried out by Governance Ireland. The minister confirmed he will meet with the IFA and ICMSA to discuss the report’s findings.
Bord Bia plays a central role in promoting Irish food and drink exports — including agri products like forage, feed, and bedding — so any governance changes are worth watching closely by producers across all sectors.
CAP Deadlines: TAMS 3 Closes Today
Today — June 19th — is the closing date for the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS, Tranche 13) under TAMS 3, as well as the extended deadline for the Women Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS, Tranche 12). If you have an application pending, make sure it is submitted before midnight tonight.
These schemes offer significant grant support for on-farm investment — missing the deadline means waiting for the next tranche, so don’t delay.
From the Farm at Kehoe’s
Here in Wexford, the team at Kehoe Farming is busy keeping up with demand as the summer season gets into full swing. Our FibreGold Haylage, horse feed, and KosiBed animal bedding are all available for nationwide and European delivery. Whether you need forage to bridge a silage gap or quality bedding for your livestock, get in touch and we will sort you out.
Stay safe out there on the farm this week — and fingers crossed for a dry spell to get the silage finished!
