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RURAL LIFE

A collection of our latest farming news, views and analysis on rural and farming life in Ireland.

<p>Bushe's Island, near Lismore, Co Waterford in the River Blackwater. The Munster Blackwater River Catchment currently has 66% of surface water bodies with high or good status. Picture: Dan MacCarthy</p>

farming

Improving Ireland's water quality a 'core requirement' for Irish farmers

Just over half of Irish surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters) achieved at least good status in the latest EPA Water Quality in Ireland report, with the primary challenge being too much Phosphate and Nitrogen

<p>Irish folklore is filled with many stories about the friendly, inquisitive and territorial bird. </p>

farming

Counting Ireland's beloved garden robins

<p>Lucinda Creighton, CEO Vulcan Consulting & Former European Minister, incoming President, Jane Pigott BVMBVS CertAVP(VC) MSc MRCVS, outgoing President, Hazell Mullins BVM BVS PgCert ACP, and Finbarr Murphy, Chief Executive, Veterinary Ireland. Picture: Mark Harrison</p>

farming

Millstreet vet appointed as new Veterinary Ireland president

Denis Lehane: Rome's love of the Irish farmer

Large scale peat excavation with machinery from a bog in County Tipperary which can be used for garden centre fertiliser Ireland

spotlight

Election 2024: Seamus Boland — it all boils down to the economy and rural Ireland has been sidelined

'My Message to the next Dáil' podcast: Seamus Boland on securing sustainable rural communities

politics

'My Message to the next Dáil' podcast: Seamus Boland on securing sustainable rural communities

Brian Reidy

Hazell Mullins, Vet on the Moove

Kieran Coughlan, Farm Finance

Paula Hynes, Hoofing It

Karen Walsh, Law of the Land

Motherhood and entrepreneurship in agriculture

Motherhood and entrepreneurship in agriculture

Catherina Cunnane speaks with Theresa Sheehy, one of a growing number of women working in agri-business

Thu, 14 Nov, 2024

Future under the spotlight at Nuffield event

Future under the spotlight at Nuffield event

This year’s event will also hear from the six returning Nuffield Scholars, who will present the findings of research on a number of evolving issues which are shaping the future of the sector.

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Country River Scene

Farms making a plan for nature

A further 200 entrants are expected to participate in the 2025 Farm Plan Scheme, which will pay them for the results they deliver based on bespoke advice.

Mon, 04 Nov, 2024

Butter slices

Cottage industries were the start of it all for Irish food and drink

The book records and documents the establishment and development of the most prominent of the cottage industries, whose products were largely made from farm produce, such as wool, linen, butter and alcohol.

Thu, 31 Oct, 2024

Paddy Fitzgerald Award winner named

Paddy Fitzgerald Award winner named

Breeda Horgan from Liscarroll in north Cork has been named the overall winner of the 2024 Paddy Fitzgerald Awards.

Wed, 30 Oct, 2024

Soil Test. Female Agronomist Taking Notes In The Field

Phase 3 of soil sampling scheme opens

The third phase of the programme has the potential to take an estimated 40,000 additional samples from farms all over the country.

Wed, 23 Oct, 2024

Senior man looking at field with sheep

Changes to Rural Social Scheme

The Minister of State said his officials will examine the remaining recommendations, which include that the RSS be reviewed every five years.

Wed, 23 Oct, 2024

Keeping it in the Family

Commission to review generational renewal

Under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, there is substantial investment earmarked to target the issue

Wed, 23 Oct, 2024

Potato Cakes. Vegetable fritters, latkes, hash browns. Vegetable pancakes

Could boxty be the next champagne? Calls for special status for potato pancake

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said PGI would greatly enhance the capacity of boxty to grow in popularity and be understood and developed in new markets internationally.

Sat, 19 Oct, 2024

handmade manufacturing yarns from natural sheep wool

Shop window for Irish wool at Dingle Food Festival

Irish wool from hardy upland sheep flocks has been woven over the years and knitted into fashionable knitwear and other products that have given the Irish identity across the world.

Sat, 28 Sep, 2024

Farmer Health Checks Programme dates announced

Farmer Health Checks Programme dates announced

The Irish Farmers' Association has announced the rollout of the Farmer Health Checks Programme.

Fri, 27 Sep, 2024

Hen harrier

Hen harriers a 'litmus test' for biodiversity

Experts fear the species could face extinction within the next 25 years in Ireland unless urgent remedial action is taken.

Sat, 21 Sep, 2024

13 welding simulators to be funded for use by agricultural students

13 welding simulators to be funded for use by agricultural students

A total of €430,000 will be invested in the simulators by the Department of Agriculture.

Thu, 19 Sep, 2024

Worried and serious middle-aged man looks at the ground. Sunny afternoon. Madrid, spain

9 in 10 farmers say they are more stressed

38% said their growing workload on farms had been a source of stress, compared to three in eight, 37%, who said it was due to the reduced income from farming.

Wed, 11 Sep, 2024

New ASA president announced

New ASA president announced

Ms Maher graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural & Environmental Science degree from UCD in 1999 and has been working across the Agricultural Banking sector ever since.

Wed, 11 Sep, 2024

'I was in the mart and there were two people under the age of 30. It was me and a friend'

'I was in the mart and there were two people under the age of 30. It was me and a friend'

If only young people could look into a crystal ball and see 10 years down the line that you can farm here in Ireland

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Young Irish farmers: ‘We’re playing the drum and nobody’s listening’

Young Irish farmers: ‘We’re playing the drum and nobody’s listening’

'The Government needs to deliver something for young people, give them supports to actually stay in farming, because we all want to stay in rural Ireland but we have no choice but to leave'

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Marty Morrissey to present 2024 Young Farmer of the Year award

Marty Morrissey to present 2024 Young Farmer of the Year award

The final of the 26th FBD Young Farmer of the Year will be announced this year by Irish telly legend Marty Morrissey on Tuesday, September 10 in the Heritage hotel, Laois.

Wed, 04 Sep, 2024

Close-up male farmer using his smartphone while standing on his agricultural field,no visible face,tractor in the background,lig

High rates of mental ill-health among farmers 'must act as wake-up call'

Recent survey results which found almost a quarter of farmers at risk of suicide were not surprising given pressures farmers face, Irish Farmers Association said

Tue, 03 Sep, 2024

Regenerative farming festival to take place next week

Regenerative farming festival to take place next week

A new 'farming festival' hoping to build on the increasing interest in regenerative agriculture is set to take place next week in one of the first-of-its-kind events on the island.

Wed, 28 Aug, 2024

Close-up on a farmer working at a farm and walking around the fields checking the grass

Farmers at twice the risk of suicide than non-farming community

Unusual weather this year was the biggest cause of stress farmers reported, followed by Government policies designed to reduce climate change

Tue, 27 Aug, 2024

Corncrake numbers continue to recover

Corncrake numbers continue to recover

Almost 1,500 hectares of land are now being managed by 250 farmers and landowners to conserve the corncrake.

Tue, 20 Aug, 2024

Padlocked Farm Gate

Crime gangs target farm equipment to sell abroad

Thieves recently stole six systems with an estimated value of up to €100,000 in the Wexford area and in North Dublin.

Mon, 19 Aug, 2024

New Macra campaign encourages farmers to open up to a friend over cups of tea

New Macra campaign encourages farmers to open up to a friend over cups of tea

Make the Moove started in North Tipperary Macra in 2018 to help combat and raise awareness around suicides in the farming community.

Thu, 15 Aug, 2024

Festival in Tipperary to share knowledge on sustainable farming

Festival in Tipperary to share knowledge on sustainable farming

The festival is taking place at Brookfield Farm, Coolbawn, Nenagh.

Tue, 13 Aug, 2024

Farming Crossword

Play Today

PLAY THE WEEKLY FARMING CROSSWORD

The interactive version of the crossword that appears in Thursday’s Farming supplement. No cheating.