Richard Halleron

Richard Halleron

News Correspondent

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.

Rye can be used as an alternative to wheat in poultry rations

N.Ireland

Rye can be used as an alternative to wheat in poultry rations

Ongoing research at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, UK, is confirming that hybrid rye can be used as an alternative...
FFA calls on NI agriculture minister to resign

N.Ireland

FFA calls on NI agriculture minister to resign

Farmers for Action (FFA) is calling on Northern Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir to resign...
Biosecurity and hygiene ‘biggest risks’ facing Irish poultry sector – DAERA

N.Ireland

Biosecurity and hygiene ‘biggest risks’ facing Irish poultry sector – DAERA

The Irish poultry sector has seen its economical stability levels strengthen significantly over recent months. However, the risk of biosecurity...
Ulster Wool: Ongoing rise in prices to be ‘fully reflected’ in payments next year

N.Ireland

Ulster Wool: Ongoing rise in prices to be ‘fully reflected’ in payments next year

International wool prices continue to strengthen at a consistent rate, and there seems every likelihood of this trend being maintained....
Red meat sector needs ‘young people from every walk of life’ – ABP NI director

N.Ireland

Red meat sector needs ‘young people from every walk of life’ – ABP NI director

The requirement for the red meat sector to attract young people from all backgrounds remains an absolute priority. This is...
Calls made to improve the provision of poultry education across Ireland

N.Ireland

Calls made to improve the provision of poultry education across Ireland

Calls have been made to drastically improve the provision of poultry education across the island of Ireland. Poultry Industry Education...
New spot-spraying weed control system targeting Ireland and UK

N.Ireland

New spot-spraying weed control system targeting Ireland and UK

A computer-operated spot-spraying system, specifically designed to target individual weeds in grass swards, is now available in Ireland and the...
Maincrop potato harvest in Northern Ireland now 80% completed

Arable

Maincrop potato harvest in Northern Ireland now 80% completed

Northern Ireland’s maincrop potato harvest is now 80% complete, though the recent heavy rainfall has slowed up progress. Wilson’s Country...
‘Fantastic opportunities’ within NI agri-food sector – researcher

N.Ireland

‘Fantastic opportunities’ within NI agri-food sector – researcher

A leading agricultural research scientist has confirmed the growing number of career opportunities for young people within farming and food.....
Tillage: Straw strength a key contributor to final crop yields

Arable

Tillage: Straw strength a key contributor to final crop yields

Straw strength is a critically important determinant of final yield within all cereal crops: wheat, barley, oats, rye, and oilseed...
New NI environment committee to be established

N.Ireland

New NI environment committee to be established

It is envisaged that a new environment committee will be established as part of the Northern Ireland Executive as a...
Long-term N and P applications can build soil carbon stocks – study

Arable

Long-term N and P applications can build soil carbon stocks – study

Results emanating from the world’s longest cereal production trial has shown that long-term application of fertilisers can help boost soil...
Scottish govt publishes first cereal production estimates for harvest 2025

Arable

Scottish govt publishes first cereal production estimates for harvest 2025

The Scottish government has published its first production estimates for Harvest 2025, covering barley, wheat, oats, and oilseed rape. As...
Scotland reportedly awash with feed barley, with Ireland a key destination

Arable

Scotland reportedly awash with feed barley, with Ireland a key destination

Very large quantities of feed barley will be available in Scotland over the coming months, with much of it heading...
NI sheep farmers looking to the future with confidence

N.Ireland

NI sheep farmers looking to the future with confidence

Sheep farmers in Northern Ireland are pointing to a positive outlook for the sector. This premise is based on a...
NIFDA: ‘Coordinated approach’ needed for sustainable local farming and food

N.Ireland

NIFDA: ‘Coordinated approach’ needed for sustainable local farming and food

Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) chair, Prof. Ursula Lavery has confirmed the significant opportunities that exist to grow...
NI company wants to be ‘long-term partner’ to farmers with its Ronco range

Machinery

NI company wants to be ‘long-term partner’ to farmers with its Ronco range

A Northern Ireland company, which made its debut in the agricultural market in 2023, gave customers, dealers, and farmers an...
How to improve phosphorous uptakes by crops

Arable

How to improve phosphorous uptakes by crops

The challenge of increasing phosphorous (P) uptake by crops on a consistent basis has recently been reviewed by UK-based consultancy ADAS....