Bernie Commins

Bernie Commins Profile Picture

Bernie Commins has an honours degree in journalism from Dublin Institute of Technology. She previously worked in the world of agri media as editor of several industry publications and as a journalist she has covered a variety of topics from farm safety to rural-life matters. She also has a background in regional newspaper reporting. From south Tipperary originally, she spent her formative years on her uncle’s dairy farm.

49% want to reduce carbon footprint through food choices
49% want to reduce carbon footprint through food choices

Half (49%) of UK consumers are looking to reduce their carbon footprint through the food choices they make in 2022,...

Renewable fuels can offer climate-protection option for agriculture
Renewable fuels can offer climate-protection option for agriculture

Using renewable fuels consistently will have an immediate impact on climate protection in the transport sector. Such fuel can also...

Holly wreath or sprig – have yourself a ‘berry’ little Christmas
Holly wreath or sprig – have yourself a ‘berry’ little Christmas

The Christmas tree may well be the star of the festive show we stage in our homes at this time...

New NI initiative to tackle dairy sector carbon emissions
New NI initiative to tackle dairy sector carbon emissions

A new initiative to help tackle carbon emissions within the dairy sector in Northern Ireland (NI) has been launched by...

Stolen tractor believed to be involved in multiple hit-and-run collisions – PSNI
Stolen tractor believed to be involved in multiple hit-and-run collisions – PSNI

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has arrested three males in a cross-border incident relating to a stolen tractor...

Global land area for grazing and fodder reduced by 191m hectares – FAO
Global land area for grazing and fodder reduced by 191m hectares – FAO

Grassland and shrub-covered areas used to graze animals or as sources of fodder have declined by 191 million hectares over...

Fane Valley acquires 50% share in Drummonds
Fane Valley acquires 50% share in Drummonds

Northern Ireland company, Fane Valley, has purchased a 50% stake in Irish feed, grain and agronomy company, Drummonds in the...

‘Next Gen’ farmers’ get  behind-the-scenes tour of Asda
‘Next Gen’ farmers’ get behind-the-scenes tour of Asda

A group of Northern Ireland's (NI) top farming talent - and future industry leaders - recently participated in a behind-the-scenes...

JBS enters cultivated protein market with Spanish purchase
JBS enters cultivated protein market with Spanish purchase

Brazilian meat-processing giant, JBS, is entering the cultivated protein market with the acquisition of Spanish company, BioTech Foods. Cultivated protein...

Methane-reducing feed additive a step closer to approval
Methane-reducing feed additive a step closer to approval

Royal DSM has received a positive European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) opinion for the use of its novel methane-reducing feed...

NI Protocol: Europe wants ‘50% paperwork cut’ to have legal backing
NI Protocol: Europe wants ‘50% paperwork cut’ to have legal backing

Negotiators in Europe (EU) want a proposed measure to help simplify the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern...

FTMTA announces outdoor summer farm-machinery show
FTMTA announces outdoor summer farm-machinery show

The Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) has announced that it will stage a two-day, outdoor, static farm-machinery show...

Ladders – risk assess and proceed with care
Ladders – risk assess and proceed with care

Earlier this week, we highlighted the dangers associated with roof work - according to Ireland's Health and Safety Authority's (HSA’s) A...

New Devenish appointment strengthens presence in MENA region
New Devenish appointment strengthens presence in MENA region

Belfast-based agri-tech company, Devenish, has announced the appointment of a poultry nutrition product manager in the Middle East and North...

DEFRA’s labour shortfall survey – deadline approaches
DEFRA’s labour shortfall survey – deadline approaches

The closing date for completion of a Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) survey that will assess...

Cover crops: phacelia and oil radish uncovered as soil saviours
Cover crops: phacelia and oil radish uncovered as soil saviours

Growing phacelia or oil radish cover crops in vegetable rotations helps to build and stabilise soils - with a new...

Illegal hare-coursing event spurs call for action
Illegal hare-coursing event spurs call for action

Rural campaigners are calling for action after footage emerged on social media of what is being described as an illegal...

Farm labour – finding good staff and ensuring they stay
Farm labour – finding good staff and ensuring they stay

Farm labour staffing issues are fast becoming one of the more significant obstacles to progression and development on local dairy...