Latest News

Budget 2027 has been finally revealed today (Tuesday, October 6) - but the big question is will it make a difference to farm families, and will it put more money into their pockets? The government has allocated €2.344 billion to the Department of Agriculture, Food and...

Average cattle rearing farm incomes up 68% in 2025 amid higher prices Income on cattle farms increased substantially in 2025. Teagasc has published the final confirmed results of the National Farm Survey for last year, along with factsheets on a number of sectors. The...

The Irish Government is pledging more than €600 million towards the project A Court of Appeal judgement has overturned the court ruling that has prevented an upgrade of the A5 road. The £1.7 billion upgrade of the road, which links Donegal to Monaghan through Tyrone...

A coffee morning in aid of Aware will take place in the Breesy Community Centre on Wednesday the 7th of October from 11am to 1pm.. A taster session of Chair Yoga will also take place. The event is part of Mental Illness Awareness Week (4th October – 10th October)....

People with solar panels will now be able to get a grant for a battery. © Getty Image Grant of up to €2,000 will be available to scrap an old fossil fuel boiler. The Cabinet has agreed to a string of new grants to help people replace old heating boilers, install...

Carina Roseingrave A national conference bringing women and men from agriculture together for discussion, practical learning and networking, highlighting the experiences and opportunities of women in farming will take place next month. 'Growing Voices – Women in...

Forage availability, animal health and concentrate input are all important factors store lamb producers and purchasers need to bear in mind. Teagasc head of sheep knowledge transfer, Michael Gottstein has provided some tips on these issues for store lamb producers and...

Teagasc's annual series of seven 'Transferring the Family Farm' clinics for 2026 will take place next month. The first event will take place at the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan, Co. Meath on October 6. According to Teagasc, more than 20,000 farm families have benefited...

Philip Crowe - 'I always went too fast on the quad anyway.' Photo NI Limousin Cattle Club-Facebook Ballinagh man Philip Crowe is advocating for improved safety measures for agricultural quads Philip Crowe, a Co Cavan farmer, spent nearly a week in hospital in May...

A new survey is asking farmers to share their experiences in an attempt to improve farm safety in Northern Ireland. The survey forms part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) Evidence and Innovation Research Programme. Later this...

GROdairy lead, Conor Hogan, speaking at the recent launch event Ireland is one of the best dairy producing countries in the world, pumping out an estimated 8.84 billion litres of high quality milk in 2026. Our nation's presence in the global market is strong, as is...

The 2026 ICM Flocks of the Future Winners are L-R Abigail Marley, Grace Hoare, Keva Keogh, Dylan Gilligan, Mark Norse, and Patrick Moran Manorhamilton's Dylan Gilligan is one of six young farmers selected for the 2026 ICM Flocks of the Future initiative, receiving...

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Co. Offaly this week for the National Ploughing Championships. The three-day event will return to Screggan, Tullamore on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (September 15-17). Over 350 competitors will take part in 34...

Droimeann cattle The annual declaration for the conservation of rare breeds under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) can now be completed for 2025. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that the action may now be...

The number of Irish farmers that sell cattle at the mart has remained largely steady over the past three years. Interestingly, the number of farmers buying cattle at the mart is much lower than the numbers that sell cattle and has decreased slightly since 2024. While...

5 chicks in box in Fermanagh. – All photos taken under licence from NIEA. Barn owl chicks in Fermanagh. Source Ulster Wildlife A nature conservation charity has said that a "bounty" of barn owl chicks has been recorded in Co. Fermanagh for the first time. Ulster...

A farm purchase can involve complex questions about title, boundaries, access and planning.  Rural solicitor Jane Bourke explains why careful legal checks are essential, even when the buyer knows the land and seller well.   Dear Jane, I have recently agreed to...

Ireland’s annual hedge-cutting season officially gets underway tomorrow (September 1), with landowners permitted to cut hedgerows through to the end of February. Landowners are legally obliged to ensure that roadside trees, hedges and vegetation do not obstruct safe...

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed that the Bovine Genetics Genotyping Scheme will open on September 1. The scheme will provide financial support to livestock farmers to genotype their current breeding animals including...

As we get nearer to the autumn calving season, it may be time to start considering looking at what bulls are suitable for your breeding strategy. It can be hard to even consider the breeding season when calving has not yet even started, but the next few months will be...

A new midge-borne virus has been infecting cattle across Europe this month, with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) currently keeping a close eye on how it might impact Ireland if it ever arrives. Shamonda virus is an orthabunyavirus that had...

The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) worth €28 million will open this week for applications. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed that that this year’s scheme will be very similar in structure to last year’s version. "It contains...

Farmers have just two weeks to apply for a grant of up to £25,000 for on-farm investment. DAERA is reminding farm businesses to submit their applications before the deadline of Thursday 3 September 2026. The scheme, launched by the Department of Agriculture,...

A sheep shorn in Co. Wexford. Source Liam Ryan Farmers are being advised that several key deadlines for completing sheep scheme task requirements are fast approaching. Teagasc adviser Eamonn Patten has reminded farmers that now is an ideal time to make sure paperwork...

Ragwort, or buachalán buí, as it is traditionally known, contains alkaloid poisons which could cause liver damage in cattle and horses and can be fatal It is that time of the year again when passions rise across rural Ireland over the spread of ragwort, the noxious...

The ram sale season is now underway and while most ram sales include the €uroStar evaluations in sale catalogues, not all farmers are fully confident in interpreting these values. When these values are understood and used as an aid in purchasing a ram, the information...

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has confirmed that ranking and selection will apply for tranche 12 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). The system of ranking...

Suckler farms that take early weaning preparation steps can reduce the level of stress and animal health issues on their farms when weaning time arrives. Timely vaccination plans and early introduction of creep feed are two of the key management steps involved in a...

Hill sheep farmers will soon also be able to benefit from genetic improvement programmes to help them breed more "productive, profitable, and sustainable flocks", similar to lowland sheep. This was according to research geneticist at Teagasc, Nóirín McHugh and head of...

Asian Hornet The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has updated organic production rules for the control of invasive plant species on farms. The department said that invasive plant species are having a "detrimental effect" on many organic farms. It...

Though many farms are now enjoying more comfortable temperatures, Tirlán has advised farmers that heat stress is still an active threat to cows. In an online webinar with a focus on animal welfare in the drought yesterday (July 23), Tirlán head of animal health and...

L-R: Stan Lalor, Teagasc director of knowledge transfer, Carina Roseingrave, ambassador for International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, Anne Kinsella Teagasc economist, Loreto Ferguson, Teagasc business delivery officer, and Professor Frank O’Mara, director of...

A new programme is offering Irish family family members extra support in dealing with issues such as stress and burnout. A new study has revealed the unseen and overlooked mental health struggles of Irish farm family members, including partners, parents and children....

With high temperatures and dry conditions over the past fortnight, farmers might now be considering investing in a private well. This is especially considering that access to water has become a hot topic in recent weeks. Uisce Éireann has implemented a six-week...

New data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlights the disparity between urban and rural areas in how far people have to travel to access health services. The figures show that the national median household distance from the nearest HSE (Health Service...

Agriland is delighted to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on a series about the potential benefits for farmers of introducing forestry on their land holdings. The 'Let Trees Work For You – Meet our Forestry Ambassadors' series...

Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the opening of tranche 2 of the 2026-2027 Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme (NIRFP). It follows the issuing in May of funding totalling £245,000 for applicants in...

Minister Andrew Muir The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said the £40 million scheme will open for applications on July 21, 2026. The scheme will offer...

Pesticide failures were detected in 24 drinking water supplies across Ireland in 2025. That's according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has today (Wednesday, July 1) published its Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2025 report. The report...

The application window for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) has opened. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has announced today (Wednesday, July 1) that the application system for NPIs,...

The European Commission (Tuesday, June 7) unveiled its first-ever Livestock Strategy. The strategy aims to set out a roadmap to help the livestock sector thrive across Europe. It intends to do this by helping farmers to boost profitability and competitiveness and by...

A critical policy objective is to protect fair income for farmers, according to Phase 2 of the Land Use Review published by the government this week. Phase two of the land use review was published after it was previously delivered to Minister for Climate, Energy and...

Lucy Jackson and Hazel Long (Image Lucy Jackson) Fermanagh's limestone grasslands will play a central role in a major new conservation project aimed at protecting some of Northern Ireland's rarest butterflies and moths. National charity Butterfly Conservation has...

Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has urged farmers across Northern Ireland to apply for Year 2 of the Farming with Nature Transition Scheme. The scheme is set to open for applications from (Tuesday, June 30 until July 31, 2026)....

Issues identified in imports from Brazil have underscored the importance of on-the-ground inspections in non-EU countries, according to senior European Commission officials. Speaking to Agriland in Brussels this week on import controls, deputy director-general at the...

Why farmers should consider adding white clover to grass swards Image Pixabay Incorporating white clover into grass swards can help reduce fertiliser inputs while maintaining performance. Mixed white clover/grass swards, when managed effectively, have the potential to...

Farmers need to be aware of "simple preventive steps" that they can take to protect themselves against tick bites and Lyme disease. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is warning farmers that the period of highest tick activity and risk of Lyme...

Farmers are more likely to hold on to agricultural land and invest in expansion when a succession plan is in place, according to a new report. Issues around access in Ireland are once again under the spotlight as a report from the European Commission examines how...

Farmers are being reminded of the steps they can take to protect themselves and their animals during the current hot weather. Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow weather warning for high temperatures across the country which will remain in place until Friday...

Shearing is one of the busiest days of the year on sheep farms. However, by completing a couple of simple tasks beforehand, the job can be made that little bit easier. Teagasc has shared key tips from David Heraty of the Irish Wool Council aimed at not only making the...

Enniskillen Campus will host an early career development day for farriers on Friday 26 June. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Enniskillen Campus is set to welcome early-career farriers from across Northern Ireland and further afield to a...

New rules are in the pipeline which aim to "stabilise" farmers' incomes in the EU by ensuring food prices better reflect the real cost of production. The European Parliament today (Tuesday, June 16) voted to back the rules which aim to ensure fairer pricing for...

Farmers who managed to secure a cut of silage last week will now be turning their attention to second-cut silage and ensuring sufficient nutrients are applied to the ground. The final week of May offered a good weather window for farmers to secure a crop of first-cut...

Coming into the June Bank Holiday weekend, a lot of farmers often stop using dairy artificial insemination (AI), and just let the stock bulls clean up the rest. However, before the stock bull gets going or you make the switch to dairy-beef AI straws, it is important...

The EU wants more young people to choose farming as a career. One of its most practical proposals may be inspired by a service Irish farmers have benefited from for decades Only a handful of European countries currently offer a farm relief service that allows farmers...

Underperforming swards and damaged paddocks need to be reseeded badly if they are to produce a high yield of grass next year and beyond. Now that growth has finally recovered, it should encourage us to start planning for some autumn reseeding, writes Brian Reidy After...

The most recent evaluation of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) Active Bull List has seen another major re-ranking. This time last year, there was quite a bit of controversy among farmers as one of the most popular bulls in the country had his Economic...

Volunteers carried 60 wool logs weighing 8kg onto site at Slievenanee Mountain The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and Ulster Wildlife have launched an innovative peatland restoration trial using locally sourced wool on Slievenanee Mountain in the Antrim Hills. Working...

Carrying out a tractor walkaround check is one of the most practical and effective ways you can keep yourself and other road users safe. Modern tractors are larger, heavier and faster than ever, so even a small defect can quickly become a serious hazard if it goes...

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has confirmed it is reopening the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme for a final "mop-up phase" this summer. The scheme aims to test all, or the vast majority, of the 650,000 fields used for farming in...

The arrival of the current spell of warm, dry weather has farmers across the country anxious to take advantage of the conditions to secure a cut of silage. However, the late spring this year means that many farmers were delayed in applying fertiliser on silage ground...

Suckler and sheep farmers considering vaccinating their herd or flocks are being reminded that bluetongue vaccination will be covered as a measure under this year's suckler and sheep schemes. The new suckler scheme, titled 'The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme' (BWS), is due...

New identification, registration and record-keeping rules are being introduced in Northern Ireland for the keeping of camelid and cervid animals, including alpacas, llamas and deer. The new requirements, which are intended to strengthen animal traceability and disease...

Between breeding and silage, the farm is getting increasingly busy with plenty of traffic flowing, therefore farm safety must be the number one priority over the coming months. There are a number of jobs happening on farm throughout May, including spraying, silage...

The Fuel Income Support Scheme has been introduced as an income support to assist farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs. The scheme opens today (Wednesday, May 6) for applicants. This is a targeted income support...

Scientists in the UK have developed a fast-track method of breeding disease-resistant ash trees. Researchers at the Norwich based John Innes Centre have adapted an embryo extraction method which in turn "rapidly speeds up the germination of European ash seeds". The...

Ulster Wool's Brendan Kelly Ulster Wool has confirmed that farmer member returns for the 2025 clip year are set to hit their highest level in 10 years. The organisation said that average returns per kilogram are 70% higher than last year, with prices increasing across...

As spring and summer months approach, more people will be outdoors walking and taking part in other recreational activities. Given that around 78% of Ireland's land is privately owned, in many cases, recreational activities take place on privately owned lands. This...

Funding of up to €13 million is being made available to enable local authorities to acquire vacant and derelict buildings or lands for community spaces. Under the initiative, local authorities can apply for funding of up to €500,000, which can be used to purchase up...

There remains huge opportunity on beef farms across Ireland to further improve grassland management and getting paddock size right is one of the key ways to achieve this. While contractors will always prefer larger fields, temporary fences can always be used to...

A new report has been published on best practices for the design of agri-environmental and climate actions (AECAs) in the view of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027. This European Commission report is intended to support member states in preparing their...

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon announce details of fuel support scheme Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has today (Wednesday, April 29) announced details of a fuel support scheme aimed at hauliers and bus...

As UV radiation rises between April and September, outdoor workers face "significantly increased exposure", the Health Service Executive (HSE) has warned. This can lead to sunburn, eye damage, and long‑term risks such as skin cancer. With over 11,000 cases of skin...

Rising fertiliser costs are forcing many grassland farmers to rethink how they manage nutrient inputs. The good news is there are practical, farm-level steps you can take to reduce purchased fertiliser needs, protect yields, margins, while improving environmental...

Many farmers buying cows at the mart have contacted Agriland to voice confusion over the new TB rules for trading cattle which came into effect on Monday (April 13). Under the new TB Action Plan, farmers will see changes to rules for trading mainly cows through...

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced a new €6 million on-farm badger biosecurity scheme as part of the new TB Action Plan. The announcement comes as the minister confirmed changes to animal testing and animal movement requirements...

Newford Open Day 22 Apr 2026 Event Time 4:00 pm Venue Scrine, Co. Roscommon, F42AH57 A Suckler Cow Breeding Event will take place on Wednesday, 22nd April at 4pm on the Newford Suckler Demonstration Farm in Skrine, Co. Roscommon, focused on improving herd performance...

The government has announced a range of fuel-related measures to help farmers and workers in related areas. Agriland has reviewed the guide to the new reductions and support schemes. The €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme is intended to assist farmers,...

Image Source Social Farming Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) is currently inviting tenders for social farming projects. The department said it is seeking proposals from "suitable, experienced economic operator(s) who have the capability...

The new TB Action Plan will be launched on April 13 and new categories for buying and selling cattle in a mart has been established Updates to the bTB eradication programme will mean you will see changes in how cattle move through livestock marts once the new action...

Good preparation for lambing lowers veterinary costs, reduces stress for farmers and improves animal welfare, according to experts. There are a number of key factors which are crucial for farmers to tackle to reduce losses at lambing, according to experts in Teagasc....

Crops such as maize silage and whole-crop cereals provide high DM and starch contents Alternative forages such as maize, whole crop and beet provide a much more consistent quality product from year to year than grass silage, writes ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy A...

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced the opening for applications of the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS). The 2026 NSWS, which has an approved budget of €22 million, is a continuation and expansion of a similar scheme...

Farmers whose animals need antiparasitic medicines like wormers and flukicides are this year dealing with significant changes in how these drugs are dispensed While previously farmers could purchase these medicines ‘over the counter’, now a national veterinary...

The Climate Change Advisory Council’s (CCAC) latest report finds that climate change, driven by greenhouse gases, is having measurable impacts in Ireland. It said that there is clear evidence in 2025 of rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events,...

Farming is a critical part of national infrastructure, yet many farmers still underestimate the risk that cybercrime poses to their businesses. With farms becoming increasingly reliant on digital technology, from livestock monitoring to precision machinery, taking...

Breaghwyhill Alfie 2 ET The Irish Charolais Cattle Society hosted its Spring 2026 Premier Sale on Saturday, March 21, at Elphin Mart, Co. Roscommon. The event "proved a tremendous success, with a super display of quality bulls and heifers and a record-breaking trade...

There has been reaction from the farm organisations to the announcement of changes to the bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) Financial Support Programme. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon this week announced the changes for animals disclosed as...

A new briefing from the European Environment Agency (EEA) has said that climate risk and economic fragility are “converging” in agriculture. This is based on 51 European farm-level case studies, extending from farms in the United Kingdom to Ukraine. The briefing...

The 2026 cattle export season has got off to a slow start, with overall cattle exports from Ireland down by 53%, according to the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). All categories of cattle have noticed a decline in export...

Under Irish law, the owner of a dog is generally strictly liable for any injury caused by that dog, writes rural solicitor Karen Walsh.   Dear Karen, I run a working farm that has a public right-of-way running through part of the land. A neighbour keeps several...

This year, there is added pressure to get stock out as there has been no opportunity to spread slurry since the opening of the spreading window, warns ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy It is hard to blame farmer and cattle for looking out over the gate at this stage,...

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has confirmed that ranking and selection will continue to be applied to applications received in the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). Similar to tranche 9, the minister said that priority...

Kenny Hanna and Simon Walsh, Rural Chaplin, Deidre Goan, HSE NI, Roberta Simmons, YFCU, Geraldine McEduff, Countryside Services, Rebecca Brunt, UFU and Victoria Ross, Rural Suport all at Enniskillen Mart. (Image Trevor Armstrong) Mission Farm Strong returned in...

The Area Monitoring System (AMS) will be used for seven Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) actions in 2026. The Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) has advised ACRES participants that it will again be using the AMS to ensure that farmers...

The Potash Development Association (PDA) has just published a technical update reviewing how clover yields in grass swards can be optimised. Legumes are affected by soil pH and require the same conditions as grass: in other words, a pH range of 6.0-6.5. If grown under...

A Suckler Cow Breeding Open Day will take place at the Newford suckler farm, Skrine, Co. Roscommon next month. This event will focus on breeding and will provide farmers with information on how to improve herd performance and reduce labour through smarter tools and...

From Wednesday, February 25, all passengers flying with Aer Lingus between Ireland and the UK will require a valid passport or passport card. Here’s what you need to know. What change is Aer Lingus making? From February 25, it says: “All customers (including Irish or...

The application process for the 2026 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other key schemes is currently open. Farmers can apply for all elements of direct payments - including BISS, Eco-Schemes, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, Protein...

New data has found that Monaghan has the highest percentage of cash transactions, while Dublin and Carlow lead the country in contactless payments. That's according to BPFI (Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland) analysis of Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) data....