Author Archives: Stuart Meikle

IS GM-FREE A MARKET TREND OR A CONSUMER FAD?

Posted on November 19, 2017

This post first appeared online at http://www.thatsfarming.com on the 25th October 2017 Twenty years ago, I became involved with soybean production in SE Europe. Romania was then a GM-soybean producer; now it is not. The GM-free debate is old hat. … Continue reading →

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IS MINISTER GOVE GOING TO BREXIT BY THE GREEN DOOR?

Posted on November 9, 2017

This post first appeared online at http://www.thatsfarming.com on the 20th September 2017 Is a prerequisite for a politician to be able to balance one’s principles with the winning of votes? One wonders if Michael Gove is not showing himself to … Continue reading →

Posted in Irish agri-food strategy, Thats Farming, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

MARKETING CHAROLAIS CATTLE IN THEIR HOME MARKET

Posted on November 6, 2017

This post first appeared online at http://www.thatsfarming.com on the 15th October 2017 How the French go about labelling Charolais Beef As one should expect with beef produced in France from Charolais cattle, there is no such thing as ‘French Beef’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland's Beef Sector, Thats Farming, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

THE REWARDS MUST GO TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Posted on November 6, 2017

Storm Ophelia recently reminded people of how fragile our modern way of life is. Take away our electricity and gone is our entertainment; as batteries run dry our communications crumble; and even hot water for tea becomes scarce. Of course, … Continue reading →

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IT IS TIME TO RESET THE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA

Posted on October 10, 2017

This post first appeared online at http://www.thatsfarming.com on the 6th October 2017 In recent days another report emerged about methane emissions from livestock. Cue, a vocal response from the environmental lobby. Before that a more specific report concerning the declining … Continue reading →

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SEPARATING THE MILK FROM RURAL EMPLOYMENT

Posted on October 3, 2017

This post first appeared online at http://www.thatsfarming.com on the 15th September 2017 Last week saw the opening of a new milk dryer; it would provide economies of scale and strengthen the capacity of the co-operative to supply ingredients. What caught … Continue reading →

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FROM THE CONSUMER’S FORK TO THE FARM-GATE PRICE

Posted on October 1, 2017

This post first appeared online at http://www.thatsfarming.com on the 8th September 2017 If the consumer pays a premium price for the final product who gains? Where in the supply-chain is the value added? Is it attributable to using higher-quality raw … Continue reading →

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