Francess McDonnell

Cross-border taskforce warns of complex crimes including farm machinery ‘frauds’
Cross-border taskforce warns of complex crimes including farm machinery ‘frauds’

A cross border task force involving the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and An Garda Síochána has warned that...

UK coroner wants ‘action’ after man died following tractor handbrake failure
UK coroner wants ‘action’ after man died following tractor handbrake failure

A UK coroner has called for action “to prevent future deaths” from the country’s Department for Transport after a man...

Dale Farm and Aurivo in discussions about potential future ‘trading relationship’
Dale Farm and Aurivo in discussions about potential future ‘trading relationship’

The Northern Ireland-headquartered co-op, Dale Farm and the Sligo-headquartered co-op, Aurivo, are understood to be in discussions over their potential...

UFU appoints new chief executive
UFU appoints new chief executive

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) today (Monday, September 29) confirmed that Conall Donnelly has been appointed as its new chief...

British farmer who kept over 450 animals in ‘squalor’ jailed and banned for life
British farmer who kept over 450 animals in ‘squalor’ jailed and banned for life

A British farmer who neglected more than 450 animals on a farm in Nottinghamshire has been jailed and handed a...

New £3,500 reward offered in NI  following rise in rural quad thefts
New £3,500 reward offered in NI following rise in rural quad thefts

A charity in Northern Ireland is offering a reward of up to £3,500 for information that results in the arrest...

DUP MP accuses Sinn Féin of ‘kicking farmers when they’re down’ in NI
DUP MP accuses Sinn Féin of ‘kicking farmers when they’re down’ in NI

A DUP MP has accused Sinn Féin of “abandoning Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector and kicking farmers when they’re down”. Carla...

PSNI: Bullocks worth up to £30,000 reported stolen from Co. Tyrone farm
PSNI: Bullocks worth up to £30,000 reported stolen from Co. Tyrone farm

The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating the reported theft of a number of valuable bullocks in Co....

Jeremy Clarkson confirms Diddly Squat farm is down with TB
Jeremy Clarkson confirms Diddly Squat farm is down with TB

Jeremy Clarkson has said everyone at Diddly Squat is “absolutely devastated” after confirmation of bovine TB on the farm. The...

NI council launches investigation after five sheep reported killed over 10 days
NI council launches investigation after five sheep reported killed over 10 days

Derry City and Strabane District Council has launched an investigation into dog attacks on livestock after five sheep were reported...

Pick-up warning issued in UK as Toyota Hilux thefts soar
Pick-up warning issued in UK as Toyota Hilux thefts soar

Owners of Toyota Hilux, a popular choice for farmers, have been warned to “take immediate steps” to keep their pick-ups...

UK taskforce recommends ‘targeted’ bird flu vaccination trial in turkeys 
UK taskforce recommends ‘targeted’ bird flu vaccination trial in turkeys 

A new report from a UK joint industry, cross-government taskforce has recommended a targeted on-farm vaccination trial in turkeys –...

Court: NI farmer convicted of ‘causing unnecessary suffering to an animal’
Court: NI farmer convicted of ‘causing unnecessary suffering to an animal’

A Co. Armagh farmer has been convicted at Newry Court of five animal welfare charges. Tiernan McMullen (23) of Granary...

Dale Farm co-op reports an increase in turnover to £722.4m
Dale Farm co-op reports an increase in turnover to £722.4m

The Northern Ireland co-op, Dale Farm, has reported a 14% year on year jump in turnover to £722.4 million for...

Farmer convicted at Tyrone court for water pollution offence
Farmer convicted at Tyrone court for water pollution offence

A Co. Tyrone farmer pleaded guilty and was convicted at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court today (Monday, June 9) in relation to...

Farming group ‘not ruling out legal action’ over NAP proposals for NI
Farming group ‘not ruling out legal action’ over NAP proposals for NI

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is “not ruling out legal action” in relation to new proposals contained in Northern Ireland’s...

NI brucellosis compensation rates for June 2025 – DAERA
NI brucellosis compensation rates for June 2025 – DAERA

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the brucellosis compensation rates for Northern Ireland for June...

Bird flu biosecurity measures to be lifted north and south
Bird flu biosecurity measures to be lifted north and south

Bird flu biosecurity measures are to be lifted in the Republic and Northern Ireland from May 31, government departments, north...