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RURAL LIFE

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

<p>Karen Sugrue Hennessy, the newly appointed independent non-executive director of Dairygold.</p>

farming

Dairygold appoints Kilkenny native to its board

Karen Sugrue Hennessy has been appointed as an independent non-executive director for Dairygold's 12-person board and will step into the roll in January

<p>ICSA have said that the Irish Government should stop dragging their feet when it comes to opposing Mercosur. File picture</p>

farming

Government still falling short on blocking Mercosur

<p>The Organic Farming Scheme is officially open for applicants. Tillage sector applicants will receive priority access.</p>

farming

Organic farming scheme now open for applications

Fresh produce

farming

Co-ops slash October milk prices citing oversupply in global market

Bovaer producer working with Danish authorities over animal health concerns

farming

Bovaer producer working with Danish authorities over animal health concerns

Ireland flag on bar chart concept with decreasing values, concept of economic crisis, politics conflicts, war concept with flag

farming

Milk and crop prices have dropped by more than 11% in the past year, CSO reports

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Free range

Index forecasts greater liver fluke prevalence in the Midlands, west and north this month

Liver fluke prevalence is predicted to be highest in the Midlands, west and northern areas of the country this year

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

A field of red clover in Derbyshire, UK.

Department starts payments for 2025 multi-species and red clover silage measures

Farmers who have applied and are eligible under the multi-species sward and red clover silage measures will begin to receive payments for their 2025 crop.

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

Tirlán to invest €126m in whey protein facility

Tirlán to invest €126m in whey protein facility

Tirlán plans to invest €126m in the Ballyragget site in Kilkenny for a state-of-the-art whey processing facility to be operational by mid-2027

Tue, 18 Nov, 2025

First Horticulture Forum meeting launches new schemes for 2026

First Horticulture Forum meeting launches new schemes for 2026

Horticulture minister Michael Healy-Rae chaired the first Horticulture Industry Forum growers meeting since its establishment in 2014, launching the new 2026 horticultural schemes

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025

This is what a chicken party looks like

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.

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

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

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

Small tillage farmers with holdings below 30ha will be exempt from GAEC 7 regulations in 2026, following an approved proposal to the CAP simplification package

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Last day of month - payment deadline. Calculator with money on the calendar with last day of month.

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

Over €1.4m will be paid to 588 farmers in this round of NPI payments under the ACRES scheme

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Bird flu

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

There have been five confirmed cases of bird flu in captive birds in 2025, including three in November alone

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Chicken with freshly laid eggs

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

Haemorrhaging under the skin of birds is a consistent common symptom amongst all positive bird flu cases so far

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Ireland wins World’s Best Steak award

Ireland wins World’s Best Steak award

Dawn Meats and Lidl secured the 'World's Best Steak' award for their Irish grass-fed sirloin at the World Steak Challenge

Tue, 11 Nov, 2025

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

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