Bovine genetics project launched

The new Bovine Genetics Project for NI cattle farmers was officially launched at Balmoral Show on Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

The project is being led by industry body Sustainable Ruminant Genetics (SRG), with an online genetics portal now available for farmers to access on the SRG website.

Speaking at the launch, SRG chairman Victor Chestnutt said the new project for the beef and dairy sectors had been “a long time in gestation”.

“We want to look at the sheep sector down the line,” he said.

As part of the project, DAERA have put forward £60m of funding for a cattle genotyping scheme which is set to begin in September 2026. “This world-leading scheme will enable herd owners to improve the accuracy of breeding decisions by identifying traits, such as feed efficiency and health-related characteristics,” said Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir.

Vigilance required on BTV says Muir

With the arrival of warmer weather, livestock farmers should be vigilant for the signs of bluetongue virus (BTV), source animals responsibly and report any suspicions of the disease to DAERA, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said.

Addressing a veterinary event at Balmoral Show on Wednesday, Minister Muir said that his decision to authorise a general licence for BTV-3 vaccination, makes the process simpler for farmers.

“I strongly encourage farmers to discuss vaccination with their veterinary practitioner,” he said.

Cross-border public meeting on BVD

Interested parties are invited to attend the first-ever major cross-border meeting on how Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is being tackled on an all-island basis.

Taking place at 8pm in the Tommy Makem Centre, Keady, on Tuesday 26 May, the event is being hosted by Animal Health Ireland and Animal Health and Welfare NI.

The latest BVD maps show that major progress has been made towards BVD eradication across the island, but there are pockets of higher incidence rates, primarily in counties Armagh, Fermanagh and Monaghan.

HSENI highlights quad bike safety

A hard-hitting visual display of an over-turned quad bike can be viewed as part of the government exhibit at the Balmoral Show.

Organised by the Health and Safety Executive for NI (HSENI), along with DAERA and the Farm Safety Partnership, the display demonstrates how easily accidents involving quad bikes can become fatal.

“Most fatal quad bike incidents involve rollovers, often on uneven ground where drivers can quickly lose control or become trapped beneath the vehicle. Our investigations also show that other common risk factors include speed, failure to wear a helmet, carrying passengers and the inappropriate use of quads by children,” said Bryan Monson from the HSENI.

Figures from the HSENI show that at least 12 people have lost their lives in quad bike accidents on local farms over the last 10 years.

New NIE campaign on overhead lines

NIE Networks has launched a new public safety campaign, which urges people to stop and think before starting any job near overhead electricity lines.

The ‘Look Up to Live’ campaign comes with a warning that a split-second misjudgement could prove fatal.

“It takes only one mistake, one missed hazard or one assumption about clearance from our equipment for the consequences to be devastating,” said Damien Monaghan from NIE Networks.

For anyone working near overhead electricity lines, the advice is to take time to check for lines and plan the job safely. In addition, do not approach any damaged electricity equipment or fallen wires. The NIE Networks contact centre is open 24 hours a day on 03457-643-643.

In 2025, more than 40 people were affected by incidents involving overhead electricity lines, with consequences including serious, life-changing injuries and loss of life.