NEWS

Northern Ireland’s poultry sector will see all remaining bird flu restrictions lifted from just after midnight on Friday, marking the end of months of mandatory disease control measures introduced to protect flocks across the region. The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), which has been in force since 1 November 2025, will officially end at 00:01 on Friday 15 May 2026 alongside the ban on poultry gatherings. The move means poultry shows, bird gatherings and related event

Family Farm Award winners James & Rachel Davison were presented with their award by Keith Halstead, Executive Director of the Royal Countryside Fund. A farming couple from Glenarm have been recognised on one of Northern Ireland agriculture’s biggest stages after winning a prestigious national award at this year’s Balmoral Show. James and Rachel Davison received the Royal Countryside Fund Family Farm Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards on Tuesday, May 13, in recognition o

Chief Superintendent Kelly Moore and Rhonda Geary, Royal Ulster Agricultural Society. Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the Eikon Exhibition Centre this week as the Balmoral Show returns for four days of farming, food, business and family entertainment — with the PSNI warning motorists to expect delays and plan ahead. Running from Wednesday 13 May to Saturday 16 May 2026, the annual event is one of the biggest fixtures in Northern Ireland’s rural calendar, draw

Tim O'Malley started his strawberry growing journey in May 2024 Marks & Spencer is set to stock locally grown strawberries in its Northern Ireland stores for the first time ever, following a new partnership with a Co. Armagh grower that is rapidly expanding production using sustainable farming methods. From Tuesday, 12 May, shoppers across all 22 M&S stores in Northern Ireland will be able to buy hand-picked strawberries grown by Tim O’Malley of O’Malley Berry Co. — a move be

CAFRE representatives, Albert Johnson and Dr Eileen McCloskey pictured with UFU policy officer, Kellie McEvoy, and UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy, at the launch of the 2026 Beef Conference. Farmers from across Northern Ireland are set to gather at Greenmount Campus next month for a major beef industry conference focused on one of the sector’s biggest challenges — how to improve profitability while meeting growing sustainability demands. Hosted jointly by the Ulster Farmers’

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (GOLI) is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors to its stand at this year’s Balmoral Show, with organisers promising a busy four days featuring community engagement, heritage displays, fundraising efforts and giveaways. The Institution will once again have a presence at Northern Ireland’s largest agricultural showcase when the 157th Balmoral Show takes place from 13–16 May at the Eikon Exhibition Centre. More than 120,000 visitors are ex

Ballymena Show is set to return later this month with organisers promising a major refresh aimed at broadening the appeal of one of the area’s best-known agricultural events. The annual show will take place on Saturday 30 May 2026 at Ballymena Livestock Market, bringing together farming traditions, local food, family entertainment, and new attractions under a renewed “Farming, Food and Family” vision. Gates will open at 9:00am, with showing beginning from 10:00am, as visitors

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots MLA launching the Assembly’s engagement events at the 2026 Balmoral Show. The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to bring major public policy discussions directly to thousands of visitors at the Balmoral Show next week, with Assembly committees launching a series of engagement sessions on issues ranging from health and renewable energy to marriage law and the Windsor Framework. The initiative will see Assembly Members and scrutiny c

Brothers and keen farmers, Adam and Matthew, join Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) operations director, Rhonda Geary as they count down to this year's show and encourage visitors to travel by bus or train, with convenient, reliable and hassle-free services available throughout the event. Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of farming, food and rural life is set to return next week, with thousands expected to descend on the Eikon Exhibition Centre for the 2026 Balm

Ainstable Hammer who sold for 30,000gns. One of the UK’s most respected Beltex sheep breeders is set to take centre stage at this year’s Balmoral Show, as top animals from across the region compete for honours in a key livestock showcase. Cumbrian breeder Brian Hall will judge the Beltex sheep classes on Wednesday, 13 May at 9:30am in the Sheep Rings, where exhibitors will present what is expected to be a high-calibre line-up of the popular terminal sire breed. Experienced b

Farming families across Northern Ireland are being urged to take immediate, practical steps to protect children on farms this summer, as safety experts warn that preventable accidents continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities every year. The call comes from Bryan Monson, Deputy Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), who has drawn on his own upbringing on a family farm to highlight the hidden dangers children face in what can a

Dog owners visiting Northern Ireland’s most scenic outdoor locations are being urged to keep their pets firmly on leads, as NI Water warns that failing to do so could put livestock, wildlife, and livelihoods at serious risk - and may result in fines of up to £1,000. With warmer weather drawing increasing numbers of visitors to beauty spots across the region, the public body has issued a clear message: keep your dog on the lead, whatever their breed. Spring brings heightened r

Pictured (L-R): The new UFU leadership team, new deputy president, Clement Lynch, new president, John McLenaghan and returning deputy president, Glenn Cuddy. A Garvagh farmer with a diverse agri-enterprise spanning beef, poultry, renewable energy and biogas has been elected as the new president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, setting the tone for a leadership focused on unity, sustainability and the challenges facing Northern Ireland’s farming sector. John McLenaghan was voted

Poultry keepers across Northern Ireland will be allowed to let their birds outside again from next week, after Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir confirmed the lifting of compulsory housing measures introduced to curb the spread of avian influenza. The restrictions, which have been in place since 6 November 2025, will be lifted from 00:01 on Tuesday 5 May 2026, marking a significant shift in disease control measures following months of heightened vigilance across the sector. Th

William Irvine, UFU President, Richard King, The Andersons Centre, Ian Stevenson, NI Dairy Council, Colin Smith, LMC, Glenn Cuddy, UFU deputy president, and Michael Haverty, The Andersons Centre. Northern Ireland’s farming families are shouldering an estimated £96 million in indirect costs every year as a result of bovine Tuberculosis, according to a landmark new independent report launched today, laying bare the scale of a crisis that continues to hit farm profitability, fa

Monday in the House of Commons, North Antrim MP Jim Allister challenged the Prime Minister on announcing a cut to fuel duty to relieve pressure on drivers, farmers and businesses across the UK Motorists, farmers and businesses across Northern Ireland facing soaring fuel costs were given no immediate promise of tax relief on Monday after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the Government’s main focus remains reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing global supply pressures. T

North Antrim MP Jim Allister Households, farmers and haulage operators across Northern Ireland could soon see Westminster pressure mount for emergency tax relief on soaring fuel costs after North Antrim MP Jim Allister formally moved to bring the issue before the House of Commons. With diesel in Ballymena now reaching 189.9p per litre and unleaded climbing to 154.9p per litre, Mr Allister has this evening, Sunday 12 April, written to the Speaker of the House of Commons seeki

Mounting anger over soaring fuel and fertiliser costs across Northern Ireland has prompted fresh political pressure on Westminster, as planned fuel protests loom and Stormont’s First Minister and deputy First Minister jointly urge the Prime Minister to intervene without delay. The developing row comes as households, businesses, farmers and hauliers across Northern Ireland face intensifying financial strain, with rising fuel and energy prices deepening the wider cost-of-living

Music inspired by the land, the seasons and the lived experiences of Northern Ireland’s farming community is set to take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir NI prepares for its upcoming Spring Concert at The Braid Arts Centre. The choir has announced that the special performance will take place on Wednesday 29th April at 8:00pm , promising an uplifting evening of music and storytelling rooted in the heart of rural life. Set in one of Ballymena’s best-

Promoting a three-day health check event at Ballymena Livestock Mart, back in 2010, before the official launch of a Northern Ireland wide Farm Families Health Checks service, Dr Brian Hunter, Kate Cairns (UFU), Yvonne Carson, and Sam McNabney, Ballymena Livestock Mart. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is marking 20 years of dedicated work to improve the health and wellbeing of rural communities, with a legacy that has grown from local pilot projects into region-wide