Opinion
Minister Martin Heydon must be congratulated for his unequivocal support of the 2026 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).
Tillage
Soil moisture deficits are currently sitting at around 60mm, which means main crop potatoes need rain to boost their yield potential.
N.Ireland
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has welcomed the opening of applications for the Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme (SFIS).
Harvest 2026 is in full swing, however, the coming weeks will see the start of the 2026/2027 planting season.
The private woodland sector is calling for funding clarity regarding a new forestry development programme in Northern Ireland.
Farmers should not be lulled into thinking that Irish soils have gone into a state of total hibernation at the present time
Sinn Féin's Declan McAleer has criticised the response from Stormont's agriculture minister to a question on carbon sequestration.
Farmers for Action (FFA) is calling the introduction of more flexible slurry spreading periods in Northern Ireland.
Ireland’s main farming bodies have welcomed the enhanced commitment from government to the 2026 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM).
Pig/Poultry
Recent years have seen great strides made to maintain active numbers of traditional pig breeds maintained at viable levels.
The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) is confirming a significant strengthening in the tone of UK grain prices
Sheep
Co. Meath pedigree Charollais sheep breeder, Eugene O’Sullivan, has noted the recent increase in lamb market prices.
The consecutive heat waves that have characterised 2026, up to this point, have highlighted the importance of utilising water to best effect.
Final funding levels for the 2026 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) should be announced before the end of this week.
Teagasc is confirming that the first of this year’s winter wheat and spring barley crops were harvested in Co. Carlow over the weekend.
As is always the case, the level of competition within the dairy rings at Castlewellan Show 2026 in Co. Down was extremely strong.
The Potash Development Association (PDA) has profiled its latest potash, phosphate and sulphur recommendations for cereal crops.
Cover crops form an important cog in the annual cycle of tillage farming activities, according to the Potash Development Association.
A French-born Charolais cow with a full set of horns caught a lot of attention while winning her breed championship at Omagh Show 2026.
Teagasc is advising growers of oilseed rape not to include brassicas in cover crop mixes: the risk of Clubroot infections is enhanced.
The NFU said the UK's 2026 cereal harvest is now well underway with continuing heat wave conditions driving maturity levels within all crops.
The sowing date of cover crops is crucial, according to Teagasc, as the more growth that takes place, the more nitrate will be taken up.
Rothamsted Research is claiming a boost for its gene editing development programmes, concerning the ‘evolution’ of new cereal varieties
Agriculture minister, Martin Heydon, has come under increased pressure to pay 2026 Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) applications in full.
