Francess McDonnell

Sharp drop in turnover and profit at Lakeland Dairies during 2023
Sharp drop in turnover and profit at Lakeland Dairies during 2023

Lakeland Dairies has blamed a “challenging year” for a €300,000 drop in turnover to €1.6 billion in 2023 compared to...

An ‘Ulster’ fry costs slightly less now than it did last year – economist
An ‘Ulster’ fry costs slightly less now than it did last year – economist

Fans of the traditional “Ulster” fry may want to raise a fork to a new survey today (Wednesday, April 10)...

Large US producer slaughters 1.6m hens because of bird flu
Large US producer slaughters 1.6m hens because of bird flu

The largest producer and distributor of fresh eggs in the United States has been forced to destroy 1.6 million laying hens...

Bird flu confirmed in person who had contact with infected cattle
Bird flu confirmed in person who had contact with infected cattle

A person in the United States who had contact with dairy cattle in Texas infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza...

Study: Vaccination reduces ‘severity’ and spread of TB in cattle
Study: Vaccination reduces ‘severity’ and spread of TB in cattle

A new study led by the University of Cambridge and Penn State University has shown that vaccination not only reduces...

UFU: Banks urged to ‘provide leniency’ to farmers battling wet weather
UFU: Banks urged to ‘provide leniency’ to farmers battling wet weather

Banks in Northern Ireland have been urged by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) to “provide leniency” to farmers who are...

GDT price index falls 2.8% after latest auction
GDT price index falls 2.8% after latest auction

The average Global Dairy Trade (GDT) price index fell by 2.8% according to latest auction results published today (Tuesday, March...

Trade union claims a UK strike could lead to New Holland tractor ‘shortages’
Trade union claims a UK strike could lead to New Holland tractor ‘shortages’

The trade union Unite has said today (Tuesday, March 19) that workers employed at a New Holland tractor factory in...

Pregnant ewe put down after suspected dog attack
Pregnant ewe put down after suspected dog attack

A farmer has appealed to people to keep their dogs on leads after a pregnant ewe had to be put...

DAERA selects Tyrone GAA football star as NI’s new chief vet
DAERA selects Tyrone GAA football star as NI’s new chief vet

Northern Ireland’s new chief vet has been confirmed as Brian Dooher, he is also the joint manager of Tyrone GAA’s...

NFU president: Politicians must ‘put a plan in place’ for home-grown food
NFU president: Politicians must ‘put a plan in place’ for home-grown food

The new president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that it is a “challenging time” for agriculture in...

French prime minister unveils new law to support farmers
French prime minister unveils new law to support farmers

The French Prime Minister has told French farmers that their “heartfelt cry” has been heard as he unveiled details of...

Lely boosts annual turnover to €888m as demand for robotics grows
Lely boosts annual turnover to €888m as demand for robotics grows

The Dutch dairy equipment group, Lely, grew its turnover by 25% to €888 million last year, according to a new...

New NI minister warned that agri-sector ‘under extreme financial pressure’
New NI minister warned that agri-sector ‘under extreme financial pressure’

Northern Ireland’s new Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs minister, Andrew Muir, may only be three days in the job but...

What does the new DUP-backed deal mean for Northern Ireland?
What does the new DUP-backed deal mean for Northern Ireland?

A new package of proposals which will guarantee “unfettered access to the UK’s internal market” and reduce post-Brexit checks and...

UK Govt launches new plan to boost ‘nature recovery’
UK Govt launches new plan to boost ‘nature recovery’

The UK Government has published new plans to boost “nature recovery” on land and at sea. The new plans –...

Agri-food sector must be ‘priority’ for Northern Ireland politicians – UFU
Agri-food sector must be ‘priority’ for Northern Ireland politicians – UFU

The absence of a Northern Ireland Executive over the last two years has resulted in “much needed decisions” for the...

UFU: Farmers in NI hit by ‘widening gap’ in milk prices
UFU: Farmers in NI hit by ‘widening gap’ in milk prices

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said the gap in the base milk price in Northern Ireland compared to other...