NEWS

Pictured: DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and Ulster Unionist agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA, and the farmers protest earlier this week outside Stormont. Friday 14 August 2026 Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has rejected demands for his resignation and launched an extraordinary attack on the Ulster Farmers’ Union, declaring that its days of “dictating government policy are over”. His defiant response came after the UFU passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Muir,

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir The Ulster Farmers’ Union has declared that Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir and DAERA’s two most senior officials have lost the confidence of farmers—and demanded all three resign immediately. In a major escalation of the fallout from the Fivemiletown cattle operation, Northern Ireland’s largest farming organisation extended its vote of no confidence beyond the Department to Mr Muir, Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey and Chief Veterinary Of

The newly published terms of an independent review into DAERA’s controversial Fivemiletown cattle operation have come under immediate scrutiny over the reviewer’s powers, how the process was established and whether one reviewer is enough to command confidence. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir published the detailed remit on Wednesday, 12 August, appointing former Irish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake to examine DAERA’s planning, decision-making and implementation of

Cattle that were shot by DAERA official lying in a County Fermanagh field; inset, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir Former Irish Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Martin Blake will independently examine DAERA’s planning, decision-making and handling of the controversial operation which saw 51 cattle destroyed near Fivemiletown in June. Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has published the terms of reference for an independent external review into his department’s implementation of a court De

TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister KC, and UFU president John McLenaghan Pressure on DAERA over the euthanising of 51 cattle near Fivemiletown has intensified ahead of a special Stormont meeting, with farming representatives warning the Department cannot be seen to “investigate itself” while North Antrim MP Jim Allister has challenged its interpretation of the court order at the centre of the controversy. The Ulster Farmers’ Union is calling for an independent expert

The shocking sight of livestock shot by DAERA officials in a field near Fivemile town, County Fermanagh DAERA has defended its decision to euthanise 51 cattle near Fivemiletown, saying officials were left with “no reasonable alternative” after their owner failed to dispose of the herd following a lifetime court ban on keeping animals. However, farming representatives say major questions remain over whether every possible alternative was exhausted, why more cattle could not ha

CAFRE’s Student Recruitment Advisers, Toni Donnelly, Laura Browne and Caoimhe Hegarty are on hand to answer your UCAS Clearing questions. Students who have not yet secured a university place for September still have time to apply, with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) opening a range of degree courses through UCAS Clearing. The move gives prospective students across Northern Ireland another opportunity to begin higher education this autumn, with p

UFU relaunches Next Generation Forum Tuesday, 4 August 2026 Young farmers and growers across Northern Ireland are being invited to help influence the future of the agricultural industry as the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) relaunches its Next Generation Forum. Applications for the latest intake opened on Monday 3 August and will remain open until Friday 28 August 2026, with places available for up to 24 participants aged under 40. Giving young voices a seat at the table The for

L-R: Dee Heron, farmer, member of the Action Cancer Moneyreagh & District Fundraising Group and Skin Cancer Ambassador for the charity pictured with Mark Irwin-Watson, Community Fundraising Executive at Action Cancer. A County Down farmer who survived skin cancer is appealing to the farming community to donate livestock for an annual charity auction that has already raised tens of thousands of pounds for cancer services across Northern Ireland. Raffrey farmer Dee Heron, who h

DUP agriculture spokesperson, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart Pressure on DAERA over the controversial destruction of cattle near Fivemiletown has intensified after DUP agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart described the incident as “one of the biggest scandals the department has ever faced”, while calling for a full public inquiry rather than an external review. The Upper Bann MP said confidence in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) had been

Inset: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, and the scenes in a Fivemiletown field where dozens of cattle were shot by DAERA officials. Monday, August 3, 2026 An independent review will be carried out into the controversial DAERA enforcement operation near Fivemiletown that resulted in the euthanasia of dozens of cattle, after Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister announced the investigation will now be conducted by someone from outside his department. The decision marks a significa

The scene of destruction at a farm in Fivemiletown, County Fermanagh Political pressure is mounting on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) over a controversial cattle destruction operation in County Tyrone, with politicians from across the political spectrum and Northern Ireland’s largest farming organisation demanding greater transparency over how the operation was planned and carried out. The controversy does not centre on the court order th

Overall Champion A ewe lamb from a County Antrim breeder’s flock claimed both the championship and the highest sale price at this year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Club Premier Show and Sale in Ballymena. Held at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Monday, 27 July, the club’s 54th annual event saw Ellen McClure’s Mountdale flock continue a remarkable run of success, with her champion ewe lamb selling for 2,800gns after catching the eye of judge Joe

Thousands of eligible farm businesses across Northern Ireland are being given one final opportunity to register for the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) before missing out could result in reduced Farm Sustainability Payments from 2027. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that a final “mop-up” registration phase will open on Wednesday 5 August and close at midnight on Monday 7 September 2026. The deadline is significant because,

NI Dorset National Show judge Sam Driver, alongside Champion breeder Ellen McClure and Claire McConaghie from sponsor Connolly’s Red Mills. A standout ewe lamb from a Dundrod flock claimed the top honour at the Northern Ireland Dorset Horn and Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Club National Show, capping a successful summer for one of the province’s leading breeders. Held during Limavady Show on Saturday, 18 July, the National Show saw Ellen McClure’s Mountdale flock crowned Cham

Equine students enjoying unique teaching and learning at CAFRE, Enniskillen Campus. School leavers hoping to build a career working with horses are being encouraged to act quickly, with places still available on a range of equine courses starting this September at CAFRE’s Enniskillen Campus. Applications remain open through UCAS Clearing for degree programmes, while students leaving school after GCSEs can still apply directly for a selection of full-time courses and apprentic

Farmers’ Choir NI performing at their Spring Concert in the Braid Arts Centre Music, friendship and support for rural communities have helped make it another memorable year for Farmers’ Choir NI, with the group raising more than £5,000 for charities and Young Farmers’ Clubswhile preparing for a new season of concerts this autumn. The registered charity, which brings together members from farming communities across Northern Ireland, says rehearsals will resume in September fol

Co Antrim farmer Denis Minford. A County Antrim farmer who spent three weeks in a coma after a devastating farm accident is urging others to make safety part of every working day as this year’s Farm Safety Week draws to a close. Crumlin farmer Denis Minford has shared his personal story in support of the annual campaign led by the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), with backing in Northern Ireland from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured officially opening the Revv It Up Festival, Dungiven Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Dungiven this weekend as the Revvv It Up Festival returns for its biggest event yet, bringing world-class tractor pulling, live music and family entertainment to the area. Organisers are expecting more than 20,000 spectators and competitors from across the UK, Ireland and beyond during the three-day festival, which runs from F

Ellen McClure’s group of ewe lambs One of Northern Ireland’s leading pedigree Dorset sheep flocks has been crowned overall champion in this year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Horn & Polled Sheep Breeders’ Club Flock Competition, with the prestigious awards setting the stage for the club’s annual premier show and sale in Ballymena later this month. The competition, judged by James and Craig Robson of the Ballyhamage Flock, recognised outstanding breeding, stock quality and flock