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

<p>All remaining soil sample results or soil sample exemption forms must be submitted by February 28, 2026, as soil sampling is a key requirement of ACRES. Picture :Noel Bennett</p>

farming

Key updates for ACRES participants revealed

The Department of Agriculture has issued several updates for ACRES participants surrounding NPIs, training courses, amendments and documentation submission deadlines

<p>From left: Alan Poole, Dr Cheryl Poole and MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú at the awards ceremony in Brussels.</p>

farming

Wexford farmer takes home top prize at EU Innovation Award

<p>The recent census found there are 120,912 horses reported in Ireland. File photo</p>

farming

Department gains most accurate snapshot of Ireland's horses with Equine Census

Donal Hickey: A salute to farmers working with nature

outdoors

Donal Hickey: A salute to farmers working with nature

16/11/2012 Bronze Turkey Farm for Christmas

farming

Ireland's fifth bird flu outbreak confirmed at turkey farm in Cavan

Closeup of machine spreading fertilizer

farming

Nitrates derogation extension for Ireland still far from a 'done deal'

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Cattle grazing on deforested pasture on a farm in the Amazon rainforest at dusk. Concept of agriculture, environment, ecology, l

Banned hormones detected in imported beef from Brazil

Hormones banned for use in the EU have been confirmed in a Brazilian beef shipment, which has subsequently been recalled

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Cork Mart CEO appointed to Teagasc Authority

Cork Mart CEO appointed to Teagasc Authority

Sean O'Sullivan, previously the Cork Mart CEO has been appointed by Minister Heydon to the Teagasc Authority, Mr O'Sullivan will serve a term of five years.

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Ireland continues talks to oppose Mercosur

Ireland continues talks to oppose Mercosur

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and agriculture minister Martin Heydon stressed talks were still ongoing with EU member states on the looming Mercosur deal

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Farmers fear being labelled as frauds if they make a mistake, says ICMSA

Farmers fear being labelled as frauds if they make a mistake, says ICMSA

ICMSA president Denis Drennan spoke directly to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and agriculture minister Martin Heydon, voicing the current concerns of the organisation's members

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Reynoutria japonica

More than 260 biodiversity projects funded as State launches 2026 scheme

The funding is available to local authorities for biodiversity projects, and will be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Nitrates derogation could see an extension of three years

Nitrates derogation could see an extension of three years

Progress has been made to secure a nitrates derogation extension for Ireland. Pending approval from member states, an extension of three years has been proposed

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Farmers facing higher costs with new antiparasitic rules, says ICSA

Farmers facing higher costs with new antiparasitic rules, says ICSA

The ICSA have warned that farmers are already seeing antiparasitics increase in prices with the looming rule change in December

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

FILE PHOTO Global climate change is having a clear effect on Irish weather, making it wetter and warmer, according to a new repo

Government urged to make the Curragh a national park

Fianna Fáil senator Fiona O’Loughlin told the Seanad it was agreed in the programme for government that a conservation plan for the Curragh would be implemented

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Dairy Women Ireland: Even the most confident women on Irish farms have doubts

Dairy Women Ireland: Even the most confident women on Irish farms have doubts

The conference included keynote addresses from MEPs Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and Maria Walsh, who both spoke of the importance of women finding their voice and making it heard

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Animal Health Ireland announce details of next series of CalfCare Roadshow

Animal Health Ireland announce details of next series of CalfCare Roadshow

The roadshows will run from December 8, 2025, to January 22, 2026

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

‘Bee the Change’: The photograph that stole the show at Teagasc’s Science Week

‘Bee the Change’: The photograph that stole the show at Teagasc’s Science Week

This year’s competition attracted 82 image entries, with the top 12 selected for an exhibition held in Teagasc's head office in Oak Park House last week

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Dairygold appoints Kilkenny native to its board

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

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

feedlot intensive production system beef cattle

Government still falling short on blocking Mercosur

ICSA said they are 'deeply disappointed' with the Irish Government's lack of action on opposing the Mercosur trade deal

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Rows of young plug plants growing in a field

Organic farming scheme now open for applications

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said funding of €58.6m was allocated in the budget to support organic farmers

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Fresh produce

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

Co-ops have decided to further reduce their milk prices for October, with some milk suppliers experiencing a reduction of up to 4cpl

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Bovaer producer working with Danish authorities over animal health concerns

Bovaer producer working with Danish authorities over animal health concerns

Following reports of concern regarding cattle health an investigation is currently ongoing In Denmark into the feed supplement proven to reduce methane, Bovaer.

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

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

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

Both milk and crop prices have seen significant drops of over 11% in the Agricultural Output Price Index for September 2025, published by the CSO

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

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

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