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>The Department of Agriculture are not considering the vaccination of Irish poultry despite bird flu outbreaks.</p>

farming

The €85m problem: Why Ireland cannot risk avian flu vaccination due to trade rules

Despite bird flu outbreaks in Ireland, the Department of Agriculture are not considering vaccinations for poultry due to trade and surveillance worries.

<p>MEP Maria Walsh submitted an amendment to the European Commission’s agricultural simplification package to protect smaller farmers from overly cumbersome GAEC 7 regulations.</p>

farming

EU adopts proposal to exempt small farmers from crop diversification and rotation rules

<p>The first roll-out of NPI payments are set to commence to 588 farmers.</p>

farming

Department starts paying out €1.4m to farmers to directly address on-farm environmental issues

Bird flu

farming

Bird flu: How many cases of the highly contagious virus have broken out in Ireland?

Chicken with freshly laid eggs

farming

Bruising under skin a telltale sign of bird flu, top vet says

Ireland wins World’s Best Steak award

farming

Ireland wins World’s Best Steak award

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Hereford cows with merino sheep

Underfunded welfare schemes see farmers pay the price

ICSA said sheep and beef welfare scheme cuts are counterproductive after farmers have invested in animal welfare improvements

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Farm hazardous waste collection days announced

Farm hazardous waste collection days announced

The Department of Agriculture has announced six farm hazardous waste collection days over the next few weeks in Clare, Meath, Cork, Tipperary, Mayo, and Kerry

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Calls for more funding for female farmers and entrepreneurs

Calls for more funding for female farmers and entrepreneurs

MEP Maria Walsh has secured a vote of support from European Parliament's Agriculture Committee to increase funding for female farmers and entrepreneurs

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Tractor miniature with coins on fertile soil land

Department pays nearly €147m to almost 34,000 ACRES farmers

Minister of agriculture, Martin Heydon, it reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting farm families in a range of environmental, biodiversity, water quality and climate projects

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Looking back on the way out

ieExplains: What does a housing order for poultry mean?

All owners of poultry and captive birds are to adhere to a compulsory housing order which will be implement from Monday, November 10, as directed by the Department of Agriculture

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Indoors chicken farm, chicken feeding, farm for growing broiler chickens

Bird owners encouraged to house their birds immediately

Bird owners have been encouraged to house their birds if facilities allow, ahead of the compulsory housing order due to current outbreaks of bird flu.

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

Domesticated bantam chickens seen in a large, rural garden during springtime.

Compulsory housing order for poultry from November 10 to stop spread of bird flu

The order follows recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork and a further reported outbreak in a turkey flock in Co Carlow

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Aerial view of Island Magee, County Antrim

Agricultural land sales dropped by almost 9% in 2024

A total of 57,212 acres of agricultural land was sold in 2024, a drop on 2023 figures, but 2024 experienced a median increase of 10.3% in price per acre

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Paula Hynes: The day our daughter took a calf to school

Paula Hynes: The day our daughter took a calf to school

Georgie had a chance to share her passion for dairy showing at school with Kalani before the mid-term break, while Paula got ready for holidays, farmer-style

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Ireland donates historic soil testing device to FAO museum

Ireland donates historic soil testing device to FAO museum

The museum in Rome will be a permanent, interactive space dedicated to global food systems, cultural traditions, and sustainable agriculture

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

Fox in garden

Fox hunting: Predator control or outdated blood sport?

Ruth Coppinger said in the Dáil that fox hunting has been banned for over two decades in Britain, and she failed to understand why anyone would defend it here

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Raphoe Macra named 2025 club of the year

Raphoe Macra named 2025 club of the year

Newbliss Macra, based in Co Monaghan, were named Best Emerging Club for 2025

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Nuffield Ireland announces new chairperson

Nuffield Ireland announces new chairperson

Laois native, Gráinne Dwyer will open the 2025 Nuffield Conference which takes place on November 14 at the Horse and Jockey Hotel in Thurles

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

500 dairy farming families recognised for efforts in herd health awards

500 dairy farming families recognised for efforts in herd health awards

The AHI CellCheck awards will recognise 500 farming families and their co-ops for their efforts in maintaining low somatic cell counts within their herds

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

How a team from Galway aims to promote Irish Angus beef perceptions

How a team from Galway aims to promote Irish Angus beef perceptions

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, we meet the fifth team in the finals, students from Coláiste Mhuire in Ballygar

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

University workshop aims to spread awareness of recycled fertilisers

University workshop aims to spread awareness of recycled fertilisers

A recent interactive workshop held by the University of Limerick showcased recycling-derived fertilisers as a viable option for Irish farmers and agricultural stakeholders

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Egg Shortages Continue In The UK

New poultry biosecurity measures to start on November 1

As of November 1, poultry farmers and flock owners must adhere to the new biosecurity measures announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Martin Heydon.

Fri, 24 Oct, 2025

Tipperary farm awarded top prize at the Quality Milk Awards

Tipperary farm awarded top prize at the Quality Milk Awards

The Ryan Family from Moyne, Thurles were the overall winners of the 2025 National Dairy Council and Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025

Poultry farmer's fears heighten after Fota outbreak of bird flu

Poultry farmer's fears heighten after Fota outbreak of bird flu

IFA poultry chair speaks about poultry farmers' increasing worries surrounding bird flu and the current outbreak in Fota Wildlife Park

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

IFA not backing any presidential candidate

IFA not backing any presidential candidate

Following a letter of support signed by several past IFA presidents endorsing a presidential candidate, the IFA reminds farmers it is a non-political organisation

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Male farmer with short brown hair,walking in the direction to his tractor,standing next to his agricultural field in the evening

Sowing mental wellbeing in farming

UCD’s Agri Mental Health Group hopes to put farmers' mental health to the forefront of the conversation, working on driving research and awareness

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Tipperary's Newport College team encouraging farmers to embrace sustainable tech

Tipperary's Newport College team encouraging farmers to embrace sustainable tech

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, meet the fourth team in the finals, students from Newport College

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Wexford students look to make Irish beef a global leader

Wexford students look to make Irish beef a global leader

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, meet the third team in the finals, students from FCJ Bunclody

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

aerial view of wicklow mountain in ireland, aerial view of ireland nature, popular tourist destination in ireland, aerial view o

Irish water quality continues to decline, reports EPA

Irish water quality has deteriorated according to the EPA's latest Water Quality in Ireland 2019-2024 report, listing nutrient excess from agriculture as a major contributor.

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Politicians call for deer management as Macroom bypass crashes soar

Politicians call for deer management as Macroom bypass crashes soar

People flock to Killarney National Park, Phoenix Park in Dublin, Wicklow Mountains National Park, and other locations to watch the spectacle, which occurs over six weeks during October and November

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

Farming

Newsletter

Keep up-to-date with all the latest developments in Farming with our weekly newsletter.

Farming Crossword

Play Today

PLAY THE WEEKLY FARMING CROSSWORD

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