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RURAL LIFE

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

<p>MEP Nina Carberry said this vote had been the strongest signal to date that the European Parliament was responding to calls to support farmers facing growing pressures.</p>

farming

Parliament backs €433bn CAP envelope in budget vote

European Parliament has voted in favour of ringfencing a minimum of €433bn for agriculture in the 2028-34 EU budget

<p>Lakeland Dairies reported a turnover of €1.93bn in 2025 despite market volatility.</p>

farming

Lakeland Dairies reports €1.93bn turnover in 2025

<p>Over the 12 months to February, increases in input prices were recorded for fertilisers (+11%), veterinary expenses (+7.1%), and electricity (+4.6%).</p>

farming

Agricultural input price index rose 0.5% in month to February

Dairy-beef weighing measure worth €4m announced

farming

Dairy-beef weighing measure worth €4m announced

Milk in the Making

farming

Department confirms atypical BSE case

Come and get it!

Macra raises young farmer concerns at EU level

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Deep cup birds nest of the robin with hatchlings newly hatched nestlings crying for food

Minister asks farmers to protect hedgerows

Safeguard nesting birds by observing the annual vegetation cutting ban from March to August, and understand your legal duties under the Wildlife Act.

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

With rubber boots through the mud.

Breed success, not disease: Animal Health Ireland launches biosecurity week

Campaign aimed at giving key advice to farmers to help make farms more biosecure and keep diseases away

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Fuel protesters in Cork told to keep driving or have tractors seized

Fuel protesters in Cork told to keep driving or have tractors seized

Protesters told that vehicles will be seized by gardaí if they stop or obstruct the N28 and Shannonpark roundabout in Cork

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Department of Agriculture announces €100m fuel support

Department of Agriculture announces €100m fuel support

The newly announced support package aims to assist farmers, contractors, fishers, forestry and specialised horticultural enterprises with the rising costs of fuel

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Macra calls for fuel cap ahead of meeting with Government

Macra calls for fuel cap ahead of meeting with Government

Macra na Feirme members have reported strong dissatisfaction with the Government's response to the fuel price crisis to date

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

National Fuel Protest

ICSA not invited to attend the farming organisations' meeting with the Government

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) have not been invited to attend the meeting between the government and representative organisations scheduled for Friday

Fri, 10 Apr, 2026

Teagasc Beef 2026 LAUNCH

Teagasc announces open day for beef farmers to take place July

Event will feature the latest research and innovation in beef cattle farming

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

newborn lambs on a field along the coast of Northern Ireland

Department releases nematodirus forecast for 2026

The forecast, published in collaboration with Met Éireann, UCD and Teagasc, can be used to gauge the optimal time to administer anthelmintic (wormer) treatment to prevent disease in lambs

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

'Don’t bite the hand that feeds you': Protests continue with Port of Cork blockade

'Don’t bite the hand that feeds you': Protests continue with Port of Cork blockade

As the 'Can't afford to move' protest continues into day three a blockade at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy was established overnight and remains there.

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026

Can’t afford to move: Protests continue for a second day

Can’t afford to move: Protests continue for a second day

Nationwide protests regarding rising fuel costs occurred on April 7 and have continued for a second day, with future protests a possibility if the government does not take action.

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

AMINAM HEALTH BLUETONGUE DISEASE SHEEP

Farmers call for more support for bluetongue vaccines under beef scheme

The ICSA said the Department of Agriculture forcing suckler farmers to choose between vaccination against bluetongue or other core health actions comes during a critical time

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Bord Bia

Bord Bia to establish new farmer forum

Farmer Forum will comprise 100 farmers, growers and producers, from a range of ages, regions and enterprises

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Holstein cows eating hay in a modern dairy barn with ventilation fans.

Survey finds 70% of farmers returned cattle to sheds during March

The latest Calvin Insights Survey from FRS Co-Op found that 70% of Irish farms needed to bring cattle indoors due to bad weather in March.

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

North Cork Creameries and Carbery reach milk supply agreement

North Cork Creameries and Carbery reach milk supply agreement

The two co-ops have reached a commercial milk supply agreement with the aim of assisting and providing certainty to North Cork Creameries' suppliers

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

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

HSA Code of Practice on telescopic telehandlers 'over the top', ICMSA says

Since September last year, farmers and farm staff have been required to complete telescopic telehandler training to comply with the HSA Code of Practice

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Fuel prices

Farmers urged to act now as fuel costs surge

Due to rising fuel costs, the Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative Society has advised farmers to be proactive, manage consumption where possible, and plan ahead for further volatility

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Agri-food regulator set to protect farmers against unfair trading practices

Agri-food regulator set to protect farmers against unfair trading practices

The new regulations voted in by the European Parliament earlier this year will allow the Agri-Food regulator to co-ordinate enforcement actions on unfair trading

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Cows grazing in Ireland

New manager for Teagasc Kerry and Limerick region

Kerry native Noreen O'Donovan has been appointed the new Teagasc regional advisory manager for Kerry and Limerick, assuming the role from Majella Maloney

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Black and white dairy cow grazing contentedly relaxed and happy while other cows graze behind. Methane and greenhouse gases a bi

Online derogation and dairy banding systems open

Farmers can now apply for the 2026 Nitrates Derogation and dairy banding via the department's online Agfood system

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Warning that shortage of eggs on supermarket shelves now a reality

Warning that shortage of eggs on supermarket shelves now a reality

IFA warns of egg shortages on supermarket shelves, with Lidl already sourcing eggs from Poland to supplement supply

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Sheep, Scottish Blackface, Swaledale rams in Springtime. Two fine rams with magnificent curly horns, facing front in green mead

National Sheep Welfare Scheme worth €22m now open

Farmers will have to complete three out of five possible actions to receive the full €13 per ewe

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

Combine Harvester in Barley Field during Harvest

Agricultural land under cereals rose by almost 5% in 12 months

According to the latest CSO report, the area assigned under 'cereals' grew by almost 5%, while grassland designated land fell by 0.4% when comparing 2025 to 2024 figures

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Minister issues important update on Bovine TB Action Plan

Minister issues important update on Bovine TB Action Plan

Minister for agriculture, Martin Heydon has announced the that the Bovine TB Action Plan will come into effect on April 13

Mon, 30 Mar, 2026

Countryside council joins IFA to launch ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign

Countryside council joins IFA to launch ‘No Dogs Allowed’ campaign

The IFA and Comhairle na Tuaithe have launched the 2026 'No Dogs Allowed' campaign saying government and local authorities haven't done enough to quell dog worrying

Mon, 30 Mar, 2026

Minister launches Lee and Bandon-Ilen Action Plan to improve water quality

Minister launches Lee and Bandon-Ilen Action Plan to improve water quality

The Teagasc 'Better Farming for Water' campaign has launched its Lee and Bandon-Ilen catchment action plan with Carbery as its industry lead of the implementation group

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

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