NEWS

Saoirse Stacey and Oran Masterson with Irish Minister Michael Healy-Rae at Carrigduff National School, Bunclody, Wexford at the launch of the AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme. Primary schools across County Antrim are being urged to step beyond the classroom and become leaders in farm safety, as a nationwide initiative opens for enrolment ahead of an April deadline. Irish Rural Link has launched its AgriKids Farm Safety Ambassador School Programme, inviting sch

Police have issued an urgent appeal for information after two sheep were found dead in what is believed to be a deliberate act in the Glenarm area. Officers in Larne say the incident, reported on Tuesday, 17 March, has caused concern within the rural community, with early indications suggesting the animals were not killed by another animal but intentionally targeted. Describing the incident as “senseless and extremely cruel,” police are now seeking the public’s help to piece

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir pictured with PSNI Superintendent Chris Hamill and NIFRS Area Commander Ryan Thompson as the department and agencies issue a reminder about wildfire season. A stark warning has been issued to the public as authorities move to a default ‘Yellow’ wildfire risk across Northern Ireland, with officials urging vigilance to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating blazes. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ire

Steam engines, vintage tractors, classic lorries and historic vehicles will gather at Raceview Mill this St Patrick’s Day as enthusiasts recreate a working display of “yesterday’s machines” in one of County Antrim’s most historic settings. Organised by the Traction Engine Club of Ulster, the special vintage showcase will take place on Tuesday 17 March 2026 from 11.00am until around 3.00pm , bringing together collectors and the public for a celebration of engineering heritage

A small farm in Rostrevor has been the scene of a disturbing animal attack after thirteen lambs were discovered dead, with police describing the killings as “shocking”. The lambs, found on Drumsesk Road, had apparently been deliberately killed with their necks broken, prompting an urgent appeal for information from the public. Night of terror on the farm The incident is believed to have occurred overnight between 7pm on Friday, 13 March, and 7.45am on Saturday, 14 March. Insp

Sean and Fiona McAllister celebrate their recent wins! A long-established pedigree sheep flock from County Antrim has celebrated a major run of success after securing multiple top honours at the annual Kerryhill Society prize giving. Crookmuir Pedigree Kerryhills, owned by Sean and Fiona McAllister from Ballycastle, achieved a series of impressive results at the annual Kerryhill Prize Giving Dinner, including the prestigious title of Overall Champion Irish Flock. The couple a

Competitors demonstrating traditional horse ploughing during the Ballycastle & District Horse Ploughing Society’s annual St Patrick’s Day match — the only all-horse ploughing event still held in Ireland. One of Ireland’s most remarkable farming traditions is set to return this St Patrick’s Day as the Ballycastle and District Horse Ploughing Society prepares to stage what is believed to be the last remaining all-horse ploughing match in Ireland. The annual event, expected to t

Northern Ireland farmers call for government support as Iran crisis threatens supply chains The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has warned that ongoing developments in Iran underline the fragility of global food security, with potential knock-on effects for Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector. UFU deputy president John McLenaghan said farmers are particularly concerned about escalating energy, fuel, and fertiliser costs. “Events unfolding in Iran underline just how vulnerable g

Businesses across Northern Ireland are being urged to prepare for sweeping changes to the way food, animals and plants move between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the European Union, as negotiations continue on a new UK-EU trade agreement designed to cut red tape and speed up trade. The UK Government says the proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement could make agrifood trade “easier, cheaper and quicker”, potentially transforming supply chains for farmers, r

Pictured: Conall Donnelly, Chief Executive, Ulster Farmers’ Union The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has entered a new chapter as Conall Donnelly formally stepped into the role of Chief Executive last week, taking on one of the most influential leadership positions in Northern Ireland’s agricultural sector. Mr Donnelly’s appointment, first confirmed in September, marks a significant transition for the organisation as it navigates a period of major change for farming across North

Randalstown YFC who will perform at the Farmers’ Choir NI Arts Festival Showcase in Ballymena Music, drama and laughter will take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir Northern Ireland prepares to host a special Arts Festival Showcase celebrating the creativity and talent of young people from rural communities. The event will take place on Thursday 19 March at 8:00pm at Ballymena Academy and will feature performances by members of Finvoy, Garvagh and R

A public row has erupted over responsibility for pollution in Lough Neagh, after the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) accused NI Water of presenting “modelling as fact” in claims that 70% of water pollution originates from the agricultural sector. The farming body has expressed “serious concern” over what it describes as inaccurate comments made by an NI Water representative, who stated that the figure was factual. The UFU says that assertion is both misleading and inappropriate.

Northern Ireland’s approach to water pollution could be about to change in a way many will see as long overdue. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced plans to end a 2007 administrative arrangement that has constrained enforcement action against Northern Ireland Water — a move designed to put the public utility on the same regulatory footing as farmers, private businesses and industry. For years, agriculture has borne the brunt of public and political criticism over water

Announcing the closing date for the application period for Innovation Farms Kenneth Johnston, CAFRE Innovation Farms programme manager. A new network of Innovation Farms is being launched — and local dairy and beef producers are being urged to step forward before the deadline closes this week. The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has opened applications for farmers to become part of its Innovation Farm programme, a key strand of efforts to accelerate

farmdrive co-founders - Gareth Gordon, CTO, and Gareth McDonald, CEO A fast-growing agri-tech company founded by two men from the Ballymena area has secured a major six-figure investment to accelerate its next phase of growth — with new jobs and export expansion firmly in its sights. Antrim-based farmdrive has received £690,000 in equity funding through Techstart Ventures, part of Invest NI’s Access to Finance programme. The investment will support the development of its live

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) farm in Hillsborough, and (inset) TUV Agriculture spokesperson Cllr Allister Kyle A political storm is intensifying around the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) after verified whistleblower footage and mounting claims of “two-tier” enforcement prompted a senior TUV councillor to declare the Agriculture Minister’s position “untenable”. TUV Agriculture spokesperson Cllr Allister Kyle issued a scathing response following rep

Pictured at Ulster Farmers' Union headquarters following the stakeholder meeting (L-R) Sergeant Ross Hakin, Inspector Sorcha Irwin, Brian Megahey (UFU), Deputy President Glenn Cuddy, Policy Officer Daniel Toft, Dr Lizzy Pinkerton (Belfast Hills Partnership) Illegal scramblers, broken gates, frightened livestock and farmers left feeling intimidated on their own land — that is the stark reality behind renewed calls for action in the Belfast Hills. The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UF

BBC Sounds podcast presenter Eve Blair on location recording Your Farm And Mine A new BBC podcast is set to shine a fresh light on rural life in Northern Ireland — and at its heart is a presenter who knows exactly what farm life demands. Your Farm And Mine, a six-part series coming to BBC Sounds, will see Eve Blair step beyond the studio and into farmyards across the country, bringing listeners face to face with the people, animals and graft that shape the agricultural commun

Farmers across Northern Ireland are being left “in the lurch” by a compulsory purchase system they no longer trust, according to the Ulster Farmers’ Union , which is now calling for a fundamental overhaul of vesting rules. Following a meeting with Land and Property Services (LPS), the UFU said too many landowners are facing uncertainty, inadequate compensation and prolonged disruption as land is acquired for infrastructure projects. Speaking on behalf of the organisation,

In an industry where long hours and solitary work are often the norm, a simple invitation to sit down, share a meal and talk can carry real weight. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust joined forces with the UFU Ballyclare Group to host a ‘Breakfast and a Blether’ event at the Five Corners Guest Inn in Ballyclare, bringing farm families together for a morning focused on connection, conversation and community. Also attended by local industry leaders, the event offered far