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

<p>Flowering Himalayan balsam along a riverbank.</p>

farming

New research reveals damaging effects of Himalayan balsam

Research published by a team from the University of Stirling has proven the negative impacts of Himalayan balsam on riverbanks

<p>Agriculture represented 40% of all work-related fatalities in 2025 from a sector employing some 4% of the workforce.</p>

farming

Farm fatalities and mental health pressures under renewed spotlight

<p>Irish Farmers’ Association president Francie Gorman said this confirmation of the banned hormones infiltrating the Irish food system should be a wake-up call for the Irish Government.</p>

farming

Brazilian beef containing banned hormones recalled in Ireland

ieExplains: What next as Mercosur deal is approved

farming

ieExplains: What next as Mercosur deal is approved

Irish MEP appointed to lead CAP role

farming

Irish MEP appointed to lead CAP role

Sign on a field gate warning people not to enter farmland due to danger to life from livestock, and risk of bio-security breech.

farming

Agriculture still the most dangerous sector, with 23 deaths last year

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Hare’s Corner project open for 2026 applications

Hare’s Corner project open for 2026 applications

Entering it's sixth year, Hare's Corner biodiversity project is now open for applications spanning nine counties to help support biodiversity projects.

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

A cows on a pasture on a summer. Livestock on free grazing. Livestock farm. Agricultural landscape, cow on green grass field.

Second Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy launched

With the emerging biosecurity threats on the island the Department of Agriculture has launched the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy (2025-2030) ahead of the new year

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Deerpark and Djouce Woods, Ireland

New Board of Forest Certification a positive development

The Irish Farmers' Association said the establishment of the Group Forest Certification Ireland Board was a positive development for the Irish forestry sector

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Young woman's first day working at a burger restaurant

Stephen Cadogan: Can wild venison really threaten the beef market?

Wild venison has replaced beef at several stadiums and event spaces in the UK and Ireland — but what does it mean for the beef market?

Wed, 31 Dec, 2025

Lady's View in Killarney National Park of Ireland - shadows of clouds move on mountains and lakes

Majority of Ireland’s protected habitats still in decline

The Article 17 Report notes that over two-thirds of habitats are impacted by agricultural-related activities, particularly inappropriate grazing, drainage and pollution

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Dairygold announce Munster finalists for malting barley programme

Dairygold announce Munster finalists for malting barley programme

The overall winner of the 2025 Dairygold Malting Barley Competition will be announced at the Annual Tillage Conference on January 9, 2026, at the Corrin Event Centre in Fermoy, Co Cork

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Sheep at a cattle market

Sheep slaughterings dropped by 18.5% between January and November

ICSA says factories dropping sheep prices are 'adding insult to injury'

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Animal Health Ireland recognised by the United Nations

Animal Health Ireland recognised by the United Nations

Animal Health Ireland has been recognised by the FAO for its technical excellence and innovation in sustainable livestock transformation and animal health.

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Bluetongue vaccinations will be permitted in 2026

Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, has announced today that blue tongue vaccines will be permitted in Ireland in 2026 following a fourth confirmed outbreak in Northern Ireland

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Family-owned nursery in Wexford celebrates 30 years of going potty for poinsettia

Family-owned nursery in Wexford celebrates 30 years of going potty for poinsettia

Jim O’Connor has one key piece of advice: 'To keep your poinsettia alive and healthy, very importantly — don’t overwater it! That’s the quickest way to lose a poinsettia.'

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Rows of young plug plants growing in a field

Korean research team discovers new way to protect crops from the cold

A research team in Korea has discovered a method to allow crops to remain productive even in adverse or unpredictable weather conditions

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Veterinarian holds syringe with antibiotics

Ireland's new veterinary medicine rules to tackle antimicrobial and antiparasitic resistance

'There's a significant and rising threat to public and animal health and the environment in relation to antimicrobial resistance', Department of Agriculture vet says

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

Four little pigs.

Drops in Chinese tariffs to benefit pigmeat sector

China will drop its 20% tariff on EU pigmeat products to 9.8%

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Fresh vegetables on shelf in supermarket

Additional powers for agri-food regulator announced

The Department of Agriculture has signed off on additional powers given to the agri-food regulator, which will come into effect in December 2026

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Budget calculation

Budget concerns for non-Vat registered farmers

ICOS has raised concerns regarding the reduction of the flat-rate farmers' Vat top-up from 5.1% to 4.5% will create an imbalance for non-Vat registered farmers

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Milk in the Making

Call to halt livestock imports as bluetongue threat grows

ICSA president Sean McNamara has called for processors to stop the import of livestock over the border from Northern Ireland, effective immediately

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Mayo man awarded the Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour

Mayo man awarded the Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour

Pádraig Gibbons from Westport, Co Mayo, received the highest national honour from ICOS

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Chernobyl: General Imagery

Saoirse McHugh: There is no urban-rural divide on a fox hunting ban

Polling conducted by Ireland Thinks shows that 72% are against fox hunting, while only 2% of us have ever engaged in it, writes Saoirse McHugh

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Limerick native elected to Dairygold board of directors

Limerick native elected to Dairygold board of directors

Gerald Kirby from Ballyneety, Co Limerick, has been recently elected to the Dairygold board of directors and will assume the role in the new year

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

IFA president and son set off by tractor to Brussels for protest

IFA president and son set off by tractor to Brussels for protest

IFA president, Francie Gorman and his son Tom set off this morning on a pilgrimage to Brussels to join a farmer protest on Thursday to coincide with an EU Council meeting.

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Cityscape of Cork in Ireland

Irish food to play key role in new tourism strategy

Culinary or food tourism revolves around people travelling to a place specifically to taste its unique cuisine, beverages, and local produce

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Michael Healy-Rae urges public to support Ireland's Christmas tree sector

Michael Healy-Rae urges public to support Ireland's Christmas tree sector

Irish growers produce around 700,000 Christmas trees each year, with 450,000 sold in Ireland and approximately 250,000 exported abroad, mainly to the UK

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Bluetongue outbreak

Animal health organisations launch cross-border BVD awareness campaign

BVD is of particularly high prevalence in counties Monaghan, Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh, according to the AHI and the AHWNI who have recently launched a cross-border campaign

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

What does the latest Nitrates Action Programme mean for farmers?

What does the latest Nitrates Action Programme mean for farmers?

Derogation farmers must begin to implement the NAP mandatory requirements; farmers in the Slaney, Barrow, Nore and Munster Blackwater catchment areas are subject to two extra requirements

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Agriculture minister says it's his 'ambition' to secure future derogation deals for Ireland

Agriculture minister says it's his 'ambition' to secure future derogation deals for Ireland

Martin Heydon said securing derogation deals for Ireland post 2028 was his 'ambition' for the future

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

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