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RURAL LIFE

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

<p>From left: Hollie-Mae Power Sinnott, Stephanie O’Dwyer, and Grace Warren at the European Parliament in Brussels.</p>

farming

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

<p>The South-East, Midlands, and Eastern regions of the country have been flagged by the EPA for elevated nitrate concentration levels.</p>

farming

Irish water quality continues to decline, reports EPA

<p>Fine Gael senator Eileen Lynch recently told the Upper House that a massive increase in traffic accidents on the Macroom by-pass, opened two years ago, and on the N22 is a result of wild deer. File Picture: Dan Linehan</p>

farming

Politicians call for deer management as Macroom bypass crashes soar

Pile of wood.

farming

Minister to host free events to promote forestry as a complement to farming

Ploughing Championships return to Tullamore as 2026 dates confirmed

farming

Ploughing Championships return to Tullamore as 2026 dates confirmed

Wexford tillage farmer becomes overall winner at this year's Environmental Sustainability Award

farming

Wexford tillage farmer becomes overall winner at this year's Environmental Sustainability Award

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Roof

Safety campaign under way to raise awareness about falls from heights

In farming, there have been 37 fatalities as a result of falling from a height in the last 10 years

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

A old farmer at work on a farm.

Documentary casting call for small farmers’ stories

An Irish documentary production team is looking for 65-year-old and older small-hold farmers to take part in a documentary and share their stories

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025

Offaly students reach finals of Certified Irish Angus School Competition

Offaly students reach finals of Certified Irish Angus School Competition

As part of the ongoing series of the finalists for the Certified Irish Angus School Competition 2024, meet the second team in the finals, St Brendan's Community School

Mon, 06 Oct, 2025

Updated AgFood Portal unworkable, says IFA

Updated AgFood Portal unworkable, says IFA

IFA Rural Development Chair, John Curran, has called for a review of the updated Department of Agriculture AgFood Portal after influx of login complaints from farmers.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Tirlán launch €15m Generational Renewal Programme for next generation of farmers

Tirlán launch €15m Generational Renewal Programme for next generation of farmers

A new programme aims to support family succession and generational renewal with existing co-op suppliers and new entrants.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

Department rolls out this year’s AgriKids programmes to promote farm safety

Department rolls out this year’s AgriKids programmes to promote farm safety

AgriKids programmes are being offered to interested schools who want accessible farm safety education for their classrooms.

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025

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

Total cattle numbers at an almost 12-year low

According to a provisional report by the CSO, the total number of cattle in Ireland is at a 12-year low, with farming organisations citing several factors

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Wexford woman reaches final of EU innovation award for female farmers

Wexford woman reaches final of EU innovation award for female farmers

This year’s theme highlights farmers leading the transition to more sustainable water use and management

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Macra volunteers honoured at National Leadership Awards

Macra volunteers honoured at National Leadership Awards

At Macra na Feirme's National Training Day in Portlaoise on September 27, several members were recognised for their leadership and commitment to the club

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Hurricane struck electricity poles in Steinhatchee, North Florida. Fallen tree and damaged power lines knock down the grass. Fo

New emergency framework aims to strengthen Ireland’s storm preparedness

Framework to ensure the lessons learned in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn are put into effect

Mon, 29 Sep, 2025

Cork students make it to Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition finals

Cork students make it to Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition finals

Clonakilty's Sacred Heart Secondary School’s ‘Angus Advocates’ are finalists in the Certified Irish Angus Schools 2024 Competition finals.

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

For Sale by Owner

Kieran Coughlan: Is the Irish land market dysfunctional?

From a national perspective, is it desirable that any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy land and put it to whatever use they wish, or even no use at all, asks rural accountant Kieran Coughlan.

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

Tiktok star Fiona Bergin helps to champion farm safety at the Ploughing

Tiktok star Fiona Bergin helps to champion farm safety at the Ploughing

Popular 'FarmTok' influencer Fiona Bergin was at the National Ploughing Championships to promote farm safety with Agri Aware and TikTok

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

New secretary-general appointed at Department of Agriculture

New secretary-general appointed at Department of Agriculture

Sinéad McPhillips has been appointed the new secretary-general at the Department of Agriculture following approval by the Government

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Ploughing survey to shape farm safety and farmer health plans

Ploughing survey to shape farm safety and farmer health plans

Survey at National Ploughing Championships will seek farmers' view on farm safety, health and wellbeing

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Young Irish farmers: An endangered species

Young Irish farmers: An endangered species

Only 4.3% of Irish farmers are below the age of 35, and current trends are seeing a further decline

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Livestock leading cause of farm injury claims, new report shows

Livestock leading cause of farm injury claims, new report shows

Animal-related injuries accounted for almost a fifth of all claims to the Injuries Resolution Board— with cattle most commonly cited in claim applications, followed by horses, dogs and sheep

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Head appointed for new vet medicine course

Head appointed for new vet medicine course

Dr Mary-Kate Burke will head up the new five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree course at South East Technological University

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Farming requires hard work all year around

70% of dairy farmers view loss of derogation as a challenge to farm viability

A recent ‘Farmer Trends and Insights Survey’ has listed the loss of derogation and EU-funded farm schemes as a major source of worry for farmers

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Gardaí warn people not to use Sat Navs when heading to the Ploughing

Gardaí warn people not to use Sat Navs when heading to the Ploughing

Switch off the Sat Navs and do what you're told to ensure no fights in the car on the way to the Ploughing Championships this year.

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

tractor

Making the most of our rural hedgerows

Hedges are habitats for a wide range of wildlife. Over half of Ireland’s bird species — 55 in total — rely on hedges, with 35 species using them for nesting, writes Catherine Keena

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Grazing Cows

Losing nitrates derogation could cost Irish dairy herds 27 cows each

Pat Deering was one of the Tirlán milk suppliers who revealed their concerns at a recent Farming for Water event

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

The weather for the Ploughing: Brown boots or wellies?

The weather for the Ploughing: Brown boots or wellies?

Your weather forecast ahead of the biggest culchie event of the year: The Ploughing Championships 2025

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Cork dairy farmer is first female winner of FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Cork dairy farmer is first female winner of FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Blarney woman Aileen Sheehan is named the 2025 FBD Young Farmer of the Year

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Ornua communications director appointed to the AHI board

Ornua communications director appointed to the AHI board

Jeanne Kelly is joining the board of Animal Health Ireland having recently finished her term as director of AgriAware

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Farming

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