NEWS

William Sayers A powerful first-hand account of the dangers faced on Northern Ireland’s farms will be shared in Ballyeaston tomorrow night, as William Sayers addresses a Farm Health and Safety talk hosted by the Ballyeaston Vintage Tractor Club. The free event takes place on Friday 6 February at 7.30pm, at 19 Trenchill Road, Ballyeaston, BT39 9SJ , with tea and refreshments served and everyone welcome. Organisers say the evening is aimed at farmers, families and the wider r

A 1970s County 1254 Ballymena is set to take centre stage in the international vintage machinery market as Europe’s leading agricultural machinery auctioneer, Cheffins , brings one of its flagship Vintage and Classic Tractor sales to Northern Ireland. The high-profile auction marks only the third time in Cheffins’ 200-year history that the firm has taken a major machinery sale across the Irish Sea, underlining both the significance of the event and the growing reputation of N

Lisnamurrican YFC members Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel visited Air Ambulance NI headquarters to present the cheque for an incredible £15,000 Members of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) have proudly presented a cheque for £15,000 to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, marking a major fundraising achievement during the club’s 85th anniversary year. A group of club members — Stuart, Claire, Alexis, Ruth and Rachel — travelled to the charity’s headquarters in Lisbur

Dead fish in Four Mile Burn, a tributary of the Six Mile Water river in May 2024 A County Antrim farmer has been convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court following a slurry pollution incident that killed more than 1,100 fish across two local waterways, prompting renewed political calls for tougher penalties for environmental offences. Seamus Kane (52), of Ballymena Road, Doagh, was convicted at Antrim Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ballymena under Article 7(1)(a) of the Water (N

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston with farmer David Irwin, Redhouse Holsteins (far left) and other members of the farming community who supported Saturday night’s protest at Tesco . Farmers blocked the entrance to one of Tesco’s main Northern Ireland distribution centres on Boucher Road in Belfast on Saturday night, January 30, in a protest highlighting growing frustration across the agri-food sector. Tractors and other agricultural vehicles were used to obstruct access to

Rebecca Mackey, Level 3 Agriculture Apprentice pictured on her home farm in Ballynure. For Co Antrim farmer Rebecca Mackey , agriculture has always been more than a career choice—it has been a way of life. Now an Apprentice on the Level 3 Agriculture programme at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Rebecca is combining hands-on farm work with structured academic learning to build a future in the industry she has grown up in. Raised on her family’s d

Minister Muir was speaking at Primrose Cottage Social Farm, where he presented their grant aid Letter of Offer for £4,960 to Anne Brown. More than £120,000 in funding has been awarded to Social Farms across Northern Ireland under a new capital grant scheme aimed at improving accessibility, inclusion and wellbeing for some of society’s most disadvantaged people. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA today announced that 15 eligible Social Farms have received funding through the Depar

Kells & Connor Young Farmers’ Team ‘Tour de Kells’ leaving Kells in Ballymena, Co Antrim – Andrew Millar, Alex Millar, Adam Lyttle, James Fullerton and Zoe McIlroy Five members of Kells & Connor Young Farmers Club (YFC) have completed an impressive long-distance cycling challenge, raising thousands of pounds for a Northern Ireland children’s charity. The group — Andrew Millar, Alex Millar, Adam Lyttle, James Fullerton and Zoe McIlroy — took on the “Tour de Kells” challeng

Police in Ballymena have attended the Shilnavogy Road area following reports of suspected hare coursing, as officers continue to step up efforts to tackle wildlife crime across the district. Ballymena Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) confirmed they were in the area on Saturday (January 10) after receiving information suggesting illegal hare coursing activity. Hare coursing, which involves the pursuit of hares by dogs for sport or gambling, is illegal and widely regarded as a

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed new assurances from the Treasury that proposed inheritance tax arrangements for family farms will apply beyond married couples and civil partners, following strong concerns raised by farming organisations in Northern Ireland. The clarification was provided by Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson after Mr Swann raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting widespread anxiety within the farming community that the proposed rules could unintent

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being urged to familiarise themselves with newly introduced Farm Sustainability Standards (FSS), which came into force today, 1 January 2026 , and will underpin eligibility for a wide range of agricultural support schemes. The new standards form a central pillar of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) and are designed to ensure continued access to the Farm Sustainability Payment (FSP) and other key schemes supporting the agri-food se

Farmers’ Choir members who participated in the Life Beyond Service. The past year has proved to be both memorable and deeply fulfilling for the Farmers’ Choir, as its 55 members came together through music, friendship and a shared commitment to supporting rural communities across Northern Ireland. Under the leadership of Musical Director Barkley Thompson, the choir enjoyed a packed programme of concerts, community events and media appearances, reinforcing its role as an impor

An understanding of the myostatin gene can help producers to make informed decisions about their suckler herd breeding programme. Growing discussion around myostatin genetics is influencing breeding decisions on farms across Northern Ireland, with producers urged to better understand how different gene mutations can impact profitability, animal welfare and labour demands. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) says improved awareness of myostatin can he

Landowners across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to consider planting new native woodlands with the 2025 Small Woodland Grant Scheme officially open for applications. The announcement was made by Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir, who confirmed that the scheme will remain open until 7 January 2026 , providing financial support to help establish small-scale native woodland projects. The scheme is designed to support landowners in creating n

Some of the Farm Families Health Checks Team at Balmoral Show earlier this year. Farm Families Health Checks will return to livestock marts across Northern Ireland this January, continuing its mission to bring vital healthcare directly to farming families following a year of significant impact and national recognition. As 2025 draws to a close, the team has highlighted its continued commitment to improving health and wellbeing across rural and farming communities. The award-w

North Antrim MP Jim Allister The government’s decision to raise the inheritance tax relief threshold for farm holdings and business assets has been welcomed by Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister — but he has warned the change does not go far enough to protect farming families. Reacting to today’s announcement that the Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs threshold will rise from £1 million to £2.5 million from April 2026, Mr Allister said the move rep

Marks & Spencer is bringing sustainability to the heart of the Christmas dinner table this year, thanks to a pioneering seed-to-shelf approach developed with its long-standing Scottish sprout supplier, Seahills. Based on Scotland’s east coast near Arbroath, Seahills supplies 100% of M&S’s hand-trimmed Brussels sprouts, producing what is recognised as the UK’s longest sprout season — harvesting from early September through to April and May. In a move designed to boost biodiver

Ronnie Duncan from Ballycastle encourages other farmers to compare their business with others through using the CAFRE Benchmarking Tool. Farm businesses that have a clear understanding of where they are performing well – and where improvements are needed – are better placed to strengthen profitability and resilience, according to the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE). While farmers cannot control external pressures such as weather conditions, volatile

90 years young: Ernie O’Hara (Images: David A. Scott Photography) Glarryford Young Farmers’ Club has paid tribute to one of its most devoted members, Ernest (Ernie) O’Hara, as the club came together to celebrate his 90th birthday and honour more than seven decades of unbroken service. The milestone celebration was held on Wednesday 29 November 2025, bringing together past and present office bearers to recognise a man whose commitment has helped shape the club for generations.

The Farmers’ Choir has enjoyed a highly successful and uplifting Christmas season, delighting audiences across Northern Ireland with a programme of festive music, warm humour and community spirit — while raising thousands of pounds for local charities along the way. The choir’s Christmas celebrations began with a festive concert in First Larne Presbyterian Church, hosted by Larne Foodbank. Performing a range of much-loved Christmas favourites, the choir entertained a warmly