Agriculture

After decades of decline, New Zealand’s wool industry is making a comeback

Forty years ago there were more than 22 sheep to every New Zealander, but wool prices and production declined with the uptake of synthetic alternatives John Hargreaves’ family has farmed sheep and beef in Kaiwaka, north of Auckland, for generations. In the 196

The Guardian4h ago

Are bluetongue-infected midges on the way from the UK?

If weather conditions allow the migration of infected midges from the UK across the Irish Sea to Ireland this autumn, we could see increased cases of bluetongue here. According to the National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) in Ireland, there has been a signific

Agriland14h ago

Heatwaves impact winter and summer crops across Europe

Recent heatwaves have severely impacted many winter and summer crops growing across Europe, according to Brussels. In essence, the continuing dry weather shortened the grain-filling phase of winter crops and brought forward the harvest, which has already been

Agriland15h ago

2kg of grass per cow the difference in top farms’ profitability – adviser

The top 10% of Ireland’s most profitable farms are feeding an additional 2kg of grass/cow/day when compared to the bottom 10%. This is according to Dr. Joe Patton, head of dairy knowledge transfer with Teagasc, who recently spoke at a Carbery farm walk in conj

Agriland1d ago

Country diary: Even in a heatwave, signs of last winter storms still linger | Nicola Chester

South Devon: On holiday in deeply familiar places, we swim fully clothed, snack on overhanging cherries and see the fallen Teignmouth pier The West Country unrolls down the M4, then M5, under the kind of vintage-yellow hue produced by 35mm camera film where th

The Guardian1d ago

Adapting to global heating: which UK public services are struggling in hot weather?

As NHS told to prepare for extreme weather, strain also felt in other areas including transport and farming NHS must prepare for annual summer heat pressures, says Yvette Cooper The NHS has been told it must become more resilient to increasingly frequent heatw

The Guardian1d ago

22 TB reactor valuations disputed in first half of 2026

Latest figures suggest that 10 farmers challenged an initial TB reactor valuation during the first half of 2026. According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in the six months to the end of June there were a total of 22 TB inital reac

Agriland1d ago

Monaghan man reverses trailer nearly 70km in aid of charity

Monaghan firefighter Aaron Corley has reversed a Massey Ferguson 7620 and a trailer roughly 68.8km to raise money for Make-A-Wish Ireland and LA519. Despite not driving a tractor in over two years, the challenge didn’t prove too difficult for Corley, who descr

Karina Pierce on education’s role in creating agri leaders

Colleges around the country are preparing to welcome agricultural students to their campuses as the autumn semester nears. The upcoming term will mark a new beginning in many academic careers – and not just for students. Prof. Karina Pierce has recently been a

Alarming surge in bluetongue disease reported among UK sheep

Farmers advised to vaccinate after recent hot weather provides ideal conditions for virus-carrying midges There has been an alarming surge in the number of sheep affected by an outbreak of bluetongue in the UK, and farmers whose livestock are at risk are being

The Guardian2d ago

Last month was the driest July on record – Met Éireann

July 2026 was one of the hottest, driest and sunniest months on record for Ireland, according to new data from Met Éireann. The latest Met Éireann Climate Statement shows that July 2026 was dominated by high pressure and had a mean temperature of 17.25°C. This

Swiss judge confirmed for 2026 Baileys Champion Cow

Internationally respected Swiss Holstein breeder and judge, Marcel Egli has been announced as the judge for the 2026 Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition. Egli will have the difficult task of choosing a champion from a line-up of some of the most impr

10,000gns at HighHopes-Halcyon Dispersal Sale

The Barber family of Manor House Farm, just outside Preston, UK, has completed the dispersal sale of their Highhopes and Halcyon pedigree Holstein herds. Richard and Claire Barber began milking 19 cows on Manor House Farm 18 years ago, placing a strong focus o

How Johne’s disease is continuing to impact farm production

Young stock are at the greatest risk of contacting Johne’s disease, a notifiable disease in Ireland, but farmers can take measures to minimise the exposure to disease. Johne’s disease is spread via the bacteria, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

‘Everyone said this farm would never make money. They were wrong’

James Rebanks refused to accept that a small family farm could not be profitable. Here’s how he proved it – and the tool that helped him get there. There is a quiet assumption that follows small family farms around. That they are passion projects. That the num

Agri-Food Regulator to exhibit at Tullamore Show for first time

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) announced that it will be part of the Sustainable Livestock Village at this year’s Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday August 9. Staff of the Agri-Food Regulator will be available on the day to c

Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy review – Mo Gilligan ruffles feathers in battle against ultra-processed foods

The ultra-likable comedian decides to go on a chicken shop diet for 28 days, but like a gen-Z Super Size Me uncovers some dark truths behind this billion-dollar industry ‘I think you’re going to die,” says a teenager bluntly to comedian Mo Gilligan when he tel

The Guardian2d ago

Calls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk

Lib Dems and many Labour MPs join farmers, landowners and firefighters in urging temporary prohibition Farmers and landowners are calling for a temporary ban on disposable barbecues in England and Wales, as they warn of the risk of igniting wildfires. The call

The Guardian2d ago

Price swings in green diesel leave contractors counting the cost

Volatile green diesel prices have become a major headache for contractors this year. As the industry looks ahead, will 2027 offer greater stability or more of the same? Two Munster-based agricultural contractors spoke to Agriland about the challenge to maintai

Who are the 2026 ICM Flocks of the Future winners?

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based lamb processor, Irish Country Meats (ICM) has announced the six winners of its 2026 Flocks of the Future initiative. Now in its second year, the initiative aims to support the next generation of Irish sheep f

UK future grain markets weaken slightly

There has been a slight easing of UK future grain markets, according to the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB). The week ending Friday, July 31 saw UK feed wheat futures close at £196.50/t, a drop of £3.25/t over the seven-day period. Glob

Opinion: The long-awaited rains have returned, thankfully

The long-awaited rains that fell in some parts of the country over the past few days are starting to eat into the soil moisture deficits that have built up since the end of June. But it is only a start. Grass growth has come to a standstill in many places, wit

Almost half of ACRES scorecards still to be submitted

Around half of Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) scorecards have been submitted ahead of the upcoming deadline, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed. The department has issued a reminder to ACRES-approved advisors

Grower disappointed with lack of tillage focus at Bord Bia Farmer Forum

The recently established Bord Bia Farmer Forum is not addressing the core issues impacting on Irish tillage, according to a Co. Westmeath cereal grower. Donal O’Keeffe, who is a member of the Irish Grain Growers’ Group (IGGG) has been speaking to Agriland foll

FarmOps heads to Tullamore Show 2026 – come visit us at Stand L8

Following a fantastic debut at the Tullamore Show in 2025, FarmOps is returning this year bigger and better than ever. For the first time, FarmOps will have its own dedicated stand at Ireland’s largest one-day agricultural event, giving farmers the opportunity

Are trace element deficiencies holding back your weaned calves?

Once calves begin grazing and developing into functional ruminants, their demand for key trace elements increases significantly. Deficiencies in copper, selenium, cobalt and iodine can have a major impact on performance, often before obvious clinical signs app

Price of olive oil expected to rise again as European crops feel the heat

Farmers warn impact of high temperatures, drought and wildfires on range of foodstuffs means costs will increase Farmers across Europe are warning of a slump in food production and rising prices as crops from maize to salads suffer as a result of extreme heat,

The Guardian3d ago

Dairy focus: Lisavaird’s milk quality award-winning farm

The Buttimer family of Lyre, Clonakilty, Co. Cork welcomed massive crowds to their farm for Carbery’s Milk Quality and Sustainability farm walk. The event was held in conjunction with Lisavaird co-op and Teagasc. Darren Buttimer is milking 245 cows alongside h

Listen – Tractor pulling, trucks and threshing at Ossory Show

The latest episode of Agriland’s ‘Around the Shows’ summer podcast series brings us to Ossory Show in Rathdowney, Co. Laois, where rural traditions have been celebrated for well over a century. Around the Shows introduces listeners to the farmers, exhibitors,

Watch: Exclusive look at Pottinger’s all-new nimble rake

Ahead of its official launch today (Monday, August 3), Agriland was given exclusive access to Pöttinger’s all-new twin-rotor manoeuvrable rake. The TOP V 6520 C has been designed as a nimble machine capable of producing high-quality forage swaths while offerin

A celebration of Monaghan food, produce, dining and community

The streets of Monaghan Town, from Church Square to the Diamond, will once again be filled with the aromas of freshly prepared food this summer. The annual Street Food Fest will transform the town centre in a colourful celebration of flavour, creativity, music

Britain could face food shortages as drought continues, farmers warn

Farmers battle to salvage what they can of their crops as heatwave set to continue Britain could face shortages of certain foods after punishing drought in parts of England, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned as a heatwave was forecast to continue in

The Guardian5d ago

A new Queensland bill aims to ‘streamline’ major projects. Matt and Caitlin fear it could hand their farm to developers

Experts say new power to bypass conservation and planning regulations are incredibly broad and could let the state effectively fast-track any project it wants Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or dail

The Guardian5d ago

‘Worst we’ve known’: UK turns to imports as drought and heat hit vegetable crops

Growers in dismay after scorching weather and lack of rain affect yields, sending wholesale prices rocketing Pubs, restaurants and supermarkets are having to buy lettuce and broccoli from Spain at what should be the height of UK growing season, as drought and

The Guardian6d ago