Rural Life - Irish Examiner

Sign in

Farming

Forecast

WEATHER

Grass

GRASS

RURAL LIFE

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

<p>Phosphate loss into water during wet weather had been identified earlier, leading to chemistry sampling to determine if slurry was spread in the closed season, and if nutrients were entering the rivers. File picture</p>

farming

Closed-period slurry spreading linked to river pollution in Meath study

Phosphate loss into water during wet weather had been identified earlier, leading to chemistry sampling to determine if slurry was spread in the closed season, and if nutrients were entering the rivers

farming

Diageo Baileys Champion Cow competition returns to Cavan

<p>Irish whiskey's special importance is recognised by its status as a geographical indication, which protects products that possess a specific quality, reputation, or other characteristic attributed to a specific geographical area.</p>

farming

Public consultation for Irish whiskey specification to be launched

Ireland secures European AgriTech testing network through MTU

farming

Ireland secures European AgriTech testing network through MTU

Storage of manure

farming

Macra calls for increased TAMS to deliver water quality improvements

Carbery and Teagasc renew West Cork sustainability programme for another five years

farming

Carbery and Teagasc renew West Cork sustainability programme for another five years

Brian Reidy

Denis Lehane, Lighten Up

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Paula Hynes: From paddock to showring - the Cork Summer Show was a week to remember

Paula Hynes: From paddock to showring - the Cork Summer Show was a week to remember

Cork Summer Show is our local show and we have always enjoyed exhibiting dairy animals there, writes Aherla dairy farmer Paula Hynes.

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Board member retirement marks shift for Tirlán and Glanbia plc Board

Board member retirement marks shift for Tirlán and Glanbia plc Board

John Murphy will retire from the Tirlán Co-op board after serving since 2010, alongside changes to Tirlán’s Glanbia plc Board representation.

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Roast Leg of Lamb

New national campaign to promote Irish lamb launched

Bord Bia has launched a new campaign worth €450,000 to promote lamb to younger generations through media channels such as TV, key social channels, audio and online video.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Cattle herd on pasture in Ireland

Milk prices for May confirmed by Co-ops

Dairygold, Tirlán, Kinisla and Carbery have all announced their May milk price for suppliers.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

'We’re all in this together': Cork farmers hear water quality measures at stakeholder event

'We’re all in this together': Cork farmers hear water quality measures at stakeholder event

A Blackwater Catchment water quality event hosted by Teagasc, Dairygold and the Agricultural Science Association showcased measures to help farmers improve local water quality.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Wexford farmers receive 2025 Pasture Progress Award

Wexford farmers receive 2025 Pasture Progress Award

Wexford farmer Liam Rochford has won the 2025 overall Pasture Progress Award, beating other county winners for the title.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Progress being made to reverse hen harrier decline

Experts had warned the species could face extinction within the next 25 years in Ireland unless urgent remedial action is taken.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Farm, food and fun draw more than 40,000 to Cork Summer Show

Farm, food and fun draw more than 40,000 to Cork Summer Show

Over 40,000 people attended the 220TH Cork Summer Show with live milking demonstrations, sheep shearing, showing, horticultural and cooking demonstrations.

Sun, 21 Jun, 2026

New EPA report finds 54% of monitored rivers in acceptable biological condition

New EPA report finds 54% of monitored rivers in acceptable biological condition

Three water bodies in Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary are classified as being in 'bad' condition

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Weekly supermarket shopping

Food sector uncertainty around the world accelerates in 2026

Rising prices, increasing use in GLP-1 medicines, geopolitical disruptions and climate pressures have all contributed to the new phase of uncertainty for the food and beverage sector

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Food, drink, nutrition and climate tech exports made €16.98bn in 2025

Food, drink, nutrition and climate tech exports made €16.98bn in 2025

Enterprise Ireland hosted its fourth annual Food Innovation Summit at Croke Park and reported a 5% growth amounting to €16.98bn generated in food, drink, nutrition and climate tech

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Bord Bia governance review did not address central issue of controversy, say farming bodies

Bord Bia governance review did not address central issue of controversy, say farming bodies

The IFA, ICMSA, and ICSA respond to the Bord Bia governance review with some requesting urgent meetings with minister of agriculture, Martin Heydon

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Freshly processed milk

April milk price experiences drop of more than 23%

Motor fuels have seen the largest spike in annual percentage change, which increased by 43.3% when compared to April 2025 figures

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Funding worth €5m for urban nature-based solutions announced

Funding worth €5m for urban nature-based solutions announced

New nature-based solutions aiming to reduce flooding and increase biodiversity in urban areas will now receive €5m worth of funding

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

‘Wrap it Pink’ for the Irish Cancer Society

‘Wrap it Pink’ for the Irish Cancer Society

The 'Wrap it Pink' campaign by Dairygold supporting the Irish Cancer Society enters its 12th year with farmers encouraged to buy pink silage bale wrap to donate to the society

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Comeraghs Wild launches programme for July festival

Comeraghs Wild launches programme for July festival

The Comeraghs Wild Festival, which returns in July, has launched its full programme of events from sheep shearing to storytelling and live music, to take place in the Comeragh region.

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Plan your journey: Cork Summer Show improves traffic measures

Plan your journey: Cork Summer Show improves traffic measures

An extended bus route and free shuttle bus services will run over June 20 and 21 to help ease traffic burdens in and around Curraheen Stadium for the Cork Summer Show

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Satellite-powered grass measurement tech launched by new partnership

Satellite-powered grass measurement tech launched by new partnership

Proveye and Grassland Agro have announced a new partnership which will utilise satellite imagery and AI interpretation to deliver continuous grass growth data and measurements

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Truly Irish launches ‘made without nitrates’ rashers

Truly Irish launches ‘made without nitrates’ rashers

Farmer-owned pork brand, Truly Irish, has partnered with a Cork-based producer to bring their 'made without nitrates' rashers range nationwide.

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Female veterinarian at work

Animal Health Ireland programme offers 26,000 free vet consultations for farmers

The Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Health will open for registration from 11am on June 17

Mon, 15 Jun, 2026

Independent Bord Bia review did not find 'any significant concerns'

Independent Bord Bia review did not find 'any significant concerns'

The independent review of the Bord Bia Board has found no governenance failures but has issued 22 recommendations to strengthen the organisation following protests earlier this year.

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Connecting consumers with farming: Agri Aware at Cork Summer Show

Connecting consumers with farming: Agri Aware at Cork Summer Show

Agri Aware hopes to connect Cork Summer Show visitors with agriculture to highlight its crucial role in Ireland with live demos and panel discussions.

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Alltech expands EU applications lab in Meath

Alltech expands EU applications lab in Meath

Alltech's European headquarters has expanded its EU Applications Laboratory, which will focus on nutrient efficiency, environmental impact and renewable energy

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Farmer Receiving A Delivery Of Nitrogen Sulphur Fertiliser To A Sustainable Farm.

MEP calls for support package following 71% fertiliser price hike

The EU Commission have dipped into CAP crisis reserves to pad the fertiliser support fund for EU farmers to €500m following a price hike of 71% in April 2026 compared to 2024 figures

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

landscape of ireland seen from the sky, wild nature

Department announces two BISS correction opportunities

Farmers are being advised that there will be two opportunities to correct Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based scheme applications without penalty over the coming weeks

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Farming

Newsletter

Stay ahead of the season. Sign up for insights, expert advice and stories shaping Irish agriculture.

Farming Crossword

Play Today

PLAY THE WEEKLY FARMING CROSSWORD

The interactive version of the crossword that appears in Thursday’s Farming supplement. No cheating.