Lack of female representation was highlighted as a major issue at the annual Women and Agriculture conference, former IFA country chair Joan Fitzpatrick explains why she thinks they IFA need to improve.

At this time of year tillage growers are starting to look ahead and plant their winter crops, but on the minds of many farmers is the effect this year's bad weather has had on tightening straw supply. Our correspondent Pat O'Toole went to the IFA tillage meeting in Enniscorthy, and spoke to Tom Short and Philip Rochford.

How does a business survive the tests of time? Our correspondent Patrick Donohoe was at the Macra na Feirme annual conference and spoke to Michael Hoey, of Countrycrest, about the longevity of the Agri-food business

With the abolition of milk quotas the dairy herd across the country is expanding and one of the programs that advises farmers is called Dairylink, Our correspondent and resident dairy expert Jack Kennedy met up with Conail Keown to find out a bit more about the scheme.

Economist David McWilliams, is often known for his controversial opinions and last week at the Women and Agriculture conference, he told me that he supported that rise in stamp duty from 2 to 6%, an issue that will effect many farmers and their familes. However, he started our interview by outlining his reasons for why Ireland should side-step Brussels and negotiate a parallel Brexit deal with the UK.

Farmers often struggle to find reliable farm labour but that wasn't an issue for Co. Clare farmer Patsy Curcurran last Sunday, when myself and over 400 people helped to herd his cattle up a mountain in Fanore to their annual winter grazing.