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Department warning over lead poisoning in cattle
Hannah Furlong
Farmers are urged to carefully check their fields and hedgerows for sources of lead such as old car batteries before turning cattle out to pasture and before making silage this spring.
18 March 2026 Northern Ireland
UFU lobby MLAs at Stormont event
The theme of this year’s NI farm family day at Stormont was about building resilience in farming.
18 March 2026 Breeding & health
Beef HealthCheck reports – 10 years on
Dr Nataschua Meunier takes a look back at the Beef HealthCheck programme and how it has evolved over the last 10 years.
Farmer Writes: the Shared Island TB project
Pilot TB project will operate across a defined study area covering northeast Donegal and northwest Northern Ireland
14 March 2026 Farmer Writes
Farmers advised to vaccinate for blackleg
The Department’s animal health surveillance programme recommends contacting your vet for the best blackleg vaccination procedure for your farm.
14 March 2026 News
Positive signs of lower BVD prevalence
Programme results for the first nine weeks of 2025 show the number of BVD-positive animals reducing from 134 head to 93 head
11 March 2026 News
BVD compensation increases announced by Minister Heydon
Compensation for a dairy-breed animal is increased from €160 to €200 and from €220 to €320 for a beef-breed animal, under the programme changes.
11 March 2026 News
ISA to monitor bluetongue situation closely
The Irish Shows Association has updated exhibitors regarding its position in relation to the bluetongue virus ahead of the 2026 show season.
10 March 2026 Pedigree
IFA calls for increased BVD PI compensation
The IFA is seeking increased BVD PI compensation, as well as full funding of test costs.
9 March 2026 News
Bluetongue: shackles to come off north-south live trade on Friday
Veterinary authorities north and south have agreed a derogation from certain veterinary certification requirements that had prevented livestock movements.
5 March 2026 News
80% of farms unable to get cattle out to grass – FRS survey
The February 2026 calving insights survey also shows that on average 63% of cows have calved on Irish farms.
5 March 2026 News
Ryan Duffy appointed manager of AHI's Cellcheck programme
Duffy will lead and co-ordinate the national mastitis control programme in his new role, which he will start at the end of March.
2 March 2026 News