The lowest median price per acre was €6,745 in the West region.

A British House of Lords committee said it is estimated around a third of veterinary medicines currently used in the region are at risk of discontinuation

The production of potatoes was also down last year, by 12.4%.

Donegal farmer Jamie Rankin was able to plant 10 acres of potatoes last Thursday, bucking the national trend

Teagasc’s director of knowledge Stan Lalor confirmed the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) is due to meet on Tuesday

Many big and small potato farmers are warning that the Irish favourite variety of Rooster may be in scarce supply by June

Noxious blooms covered large parts of Lough Neagh last summer, and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region.

Irish beef exports to China were suspended after mad cow disease was detected in one cow in November

Asked if he wants to be Ireland’s EU Commissioner nominee, Charlie McConalogue said: ‘I have more than enough on my plate.’

The action is fully contested by the State and opposed by the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

Ireland is one of three EU member states that has a derogation to enable some farmers to work to a higher nitrate limit than the rest of the EU