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RURAL LIFE

A collection of our latest farming news, views and analysis on rural and farming life in Ireland.

<p>Sinéad McPhillips, the newly appointed secretary-general at the Department of Agriculture.</p>

farming

New secretary-general appointed at Department of Agriculture

Sinéad McPhillips has been appointed the new secretary-general at the Department of Agriculture following approval by the Government

<p>Farm safety minister Michael Healy-Rae: 'It is important that we listen to farmers to understand their concerns about the issues which have the greatest impact on their daily lives.' Picture: O'Gorman Photograph</p>

farming

Ploughing survey to shape farm safety and farmer health plans

<p>Agriculture minister Martin Heydon speaking to the press on the second day at the 2025 National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly. Picture: Dan Linehan</p>

farming

Young Irish farmers: An endangered species

Livestock leading cause of farm injury claims, new report shows

farming

Livestock leading cause of farm injury claims, new report shows

Head appointed for new vet medicine course

farming

Head appointed for new vet medicine course

Farming requires hard work all year around

farming

70% of dairy farmers view loss of derogation as a challenge to farm viability

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Gardaí warn people not to use Sat Navs when heading to the Ploughing

Gardaí warn people not to use Sat Navs when heading to the Ploughing

Switch off the Sat Navs and do what you're told to ensure no fights in the car on the way to the Ploughing Championships this year.

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

tractor

Making the most of our rural hedgerows

Hedges are habitats for a wide range of wildlife. Over half of Ireland’s bird species — 55 in total — rely on hedges, with 35 species using them for nesting, writes Catherine Keena

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Grazing Cows

Losing nitrates derogation could cost Irish dairy herds 27 cows each

Pat Deering was one of the Tirlán milk suppliers who revealed their concerns at a recent Farming for Water event

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

The weather for the Ploughing: Brown boots or wellies?

The weather for the Ploughing: Brown boots or wellies?

Your weather forecast ahead of the biggest culchie event of the year: The Ploughing Championships 2025

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Cork dairy farmer is first female winner of FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Cork dairy farmer is first female winner of FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Blarney woman Aileen Sheehan is named the 2025 FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Ornua communications director appointed to the AHI board

Ornua communications director appointed to the AHI board

Jeanne Kelly is joining the board of Animal Health Ireland having recently finished her term as director of AgriAware

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Farmers react with caution to new TB eradication plan and 30 proposed actions

Farmers react with caution to new TB eradication plan and 30 proposed actions

Irish farmers give mixed reaction to the new TB action plan, warning it risks unfairly burdening farmers without clear commitments from others

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Voluntary land deal secured for pipeline project

Voluntary land deal secured for pipeline project

If it is later determined that Vat should apply more widely, Uisce Éireannhas committed to refunding it in full once provided with a valid invoice

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Foals given more pasture time and later weaning earn more money

Foals given more pasture time and later weaning earn more money

Foals that spent more time turned out at pasture in the first six months of life, and foals that were weaned at an older age were more likely to race at least once by the end of their fourth year of life

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

#FarmTok campaign aims to save rural lives

#FarmTok campaign aims to save rural lives

'Our hope is that these stories will encourage conversations among farmers who may be struggling'

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Heydon’s TB action plan finally announced

Heydon’s TB action plan finally announced

The new action plan as part of the TB eradication scheme, involves several new key actions, including informed cattle purchases, mandatory blood testing and special cull cow sales.

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Agricultural Science Association confirms its new president

Agricultural Science Association confirms its new president

Wicklow native and the director of Meat Industry Ireland has been named the new ASA president

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Pat Whelan: Cutting waste, keeping quality

Pat Whelan: Cutting waste, keeping quality

The enterprising fifth generation butcher hopes to lead the craft of butchery into the future, balancing the serving of both people and the planet.

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Confident in Her Line of Work

Dairy apprenticeship aims to close skills gap

Only 5% of Irish farmers are under the age of 35. One in every three is over the age of 65. The 2024 National Farm Survey found that the average age of an Irish dairy farmer was 54

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Michael Berkery awarded honorary doctorate for lasting impact

Michael Berkery awarded honorary doctorate for lasting impact

The Tipperary man's leadership extended through critical trade negotiations, including the general agreement on tariffs and trade, the 2001 beef blockade, and the IFA’s strategic approach to the World Trade Organization

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Motherly Farmer Cradles Her Baby Boy,Watching A Tractor Plow The Fields Under The Evening Sky

Income volatility is curtailing farm succession

ICMSA have said more needs to be done to make farming more attractive as a career option.

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Senior man with grandaughter gardening in the backyard garden.

Kieran Coughlan: Budget must balance protecting Agricultural Relief with curbing abuse

Beneficiaries who avail of Agricultural Relief see the taxable value of the gift or inheritance of 'agricultural property' (including farmland, buildings, stock) reduced by 90%

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Men shearer shearing sheep at agricultural show in competition. Electric professional sheep manual hair clipper sheep cutting sh

Lighten Up: Forget about Oasis. Sheep shearing is the new rock 'n' roll

Sheep shearing today, is all about fast living, big money and a jet-setting lifestyle, writes Denis Lehane

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Working with landowners to protect and restore Ireland's rivers

Working with landowners to protect and restore Ireland's rivers

The EU Waters of LIFE project aims to reverse the decline of Ireland's most pristine rivers

Tue, 26 Aug, 2025

Field Exchange agri-food festival to return in September

Field Exchange agri-food festival to return in September

The three-day programme on the shores of Lough Derg features art installations, musical performances, expert speakers, and lunch designed by acclaimed chef Valentine Warner

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

A buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) gathers pollen from red clover (Trifolium pratense) in the South Downs National Park

Signpost: Help protect pollinators by taking part in a 10-minute insect count

Insects are counted into categories, such as butterflies, bees, and beetles. This approach allows people with little or no entomological training to participate in the survey while still collecting useful data

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Met Éireann grants €2.8m to six university projects for flood and climate research

Met Éireann grants €2.8m to six university projects for flood and climate research

The projects in the Met Éireann Research Call 2024 will study climate change, extreme weather events and environmental sustainability

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Farmer at work.

From one in four to one in 25: Ireland’s shrinking farming workforce

There are 108,450 working in 'agriculture, forestry, and fishing' in 2024, according to the Central Statistics Office's Labour Force Survey.

Fri, 15 Aug, 2025

Rear View Of Woman With Dog On Field

Agri-tourism seen as lifeline for most vulnerable Irish farms

Fáilte Ireland data has also highlighted a significant increase in online searches related to rural tourism, reflecting the growing interest in the sector

Thu, 14 Aug, 2025

Cork honey producer in running for prestigious Great Taste's Golden Fork

Cork honey producer in running for prestigious Great Taste's Golden Fork

Andrew and John Shinnick of Blackwater Honey will attend the Great Taste Golden Forks ceremony in London on September 9, where their Blossom Honey is one of three contenders for the Golden Fork from Ireland award

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

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