Richard Halleron

Richard Halleron is an agricultural chemist by background. He is a past chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science and has also served as Chairman of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Northern Ireland.

[email protected] @Halleron_r

Grass remains the priority feed for sheep

July 7, 2019

Sheep

Grass can account for 95% of breeding ewes’ total dietary needs, according to AgriSearch’s Dr. Elizabeth Earle. “High-quality grass contains up to 20%…

Soil compaction is a constant challenge on grassland farms

July 7, 2019

Grass

Even moderate levels of soil compaction can reduce grassland output levels by 20%, according to Alex Higgins, from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute…

Grass and herb mixes hold particular promise for sheep farmers

July 6, 2019

Grass

Ongoing research at University College Dublin (UCD) is pointing to the very real benefits of including a range of grasses, legumes and herbs…

The threat of Brexit continues to hang over sheep sector in Northern Ireland

July 6, 2019

Sheep

Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president Ivor Ferguson believes that Northern Ireland’s sheep sector is the one that will be most exposed to a…

New body vies to tackle the challenges of rural health and care

April 26, 2019

Rural Life

A new membership organisation, dedicated to rural health and care across England, has been launched. The new Rural Health & Care Alliance (RHCA),…

Prospects for UK mozzarella cheese production could be dampened

April 23, 2019

Dairy

According to AHDB Dairy, mozzarella cheese manufacturers could come under pressure in the event of a ‘No-Deal’ Brexit. In such circumstances, the UK…

Sainsbury’s is saying ‘no’ to barn eggs

April 22, 2019

Pig/Poultry

The barn egg sector has been dealt a major blow, courtesy of a decision taken by Sainsbury’s not to stock this particular type…

Improving our genetic knowledge of wheat is not a drag

April 15, 2019

Arable

When it comes to breeding better wheat varieties, often, though we seek to introduce desirable genes that increase yield, these can come along…

‘No-deal’ could have immense impact on marts in Northern Ireland

April 15, 2019

N.Ireland

A no-deal Brexit could be the tipping point that puts a number of livestock marts in Northern Ireland out of business. “We now…

Harvard research suggests afforestation could slow climate change clock

April 14, 2019

Forestry

New research from Harvard University in the US demonstrates that the UK would be able to sustain itself and help meet the Paris…

Are beef contracts the way forward?

April 14, 2019

Beef

Production contracts must be looked at as a way of allowing beef finishers to make a trading margin from their businesses, according to…

A simple milk sample can provide a world of information for dairy farmers

April 14, 2019

Dairy

Gone are the days when a milk sample could provide dairy farmers with information on Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and Bactocount levels only.…

New science is enabling dairy farms to become antibiotic-free

April 13, 2019

Dairy

Farmers attending the recent Dale Farm Somatic Cell Count (SCC) advisory event, hosted by Dale Farm on the Co. Tyrone farm of Alan…

ADAS points to the potential of agroforestry in the UK

April 13, 2019

Forestry

According to Agricultural solutions provider ADAS, agroforestry could be one opportunity to help maximise the economic output of land. This can be through…

McIntyre: ‘What the big pesticides report should have said’

April 13, 2019

Arable

The European Parliament’s committee on pesticides has reached the wrong conclusions and disregarded key evidence, a new report concludes. Anthea McIntyre MEP, the…

Northern Ireland’s compound animal feed sector continues to grow

April 13, 2019

Agri-Business

Northern Ireland’s compound animal feed industry continues to underpin the growth achieved by the various livestock sectors – dairy, beef, poultry and pork…