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.

Soil sulphur levels higher than expected in some areas

N.Ireland

Soil sulphur levels higher than expected in some areas

Initial trends from Northern Ireland’s Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS) are now available with the data on sulphur (S) of...
Opinion: Is it time to take vets out of the bTB testing process?

N.Ireland

Opinion: Is it time to take vets out of the bTB testing process?

So here’s a question – can we come up with an alternative plan to have herds effectively tested for bovine...
Future-use options for fungicides on wheat and barley

N.Ireland

Future-use options for fungicides on wheat and barley

The future use options for fungicides in cereal crops was discussed in detail at a workshop held in Co. Down...
Probing for weaknesses in wheat septoria genomes

N.Ireland

Probing for weaknesses in wheat septoria genomes

A new study has compared genomes across 18 strains of the septoria leaf blotch fungus zymoseptoria tritici. The work has...
US production of maize, soya and wheat expected to rise

Arable

US production of maize, soya and wheat expected to rise

The expectations for the 2023 cropping levels in the US indicate growth in the planted area of maize, wheat, and...
The value of spring potash applications

N.Ireland

The value of spring potash applications

The Potash Development Association (PDA) is confirming that many farmers did not get fertiliser spread last autumn, due to the...
Newry Show Society to host ‘Big Breakfast’

N.Ireland

Newry Show Society to host ‘Big Breakfast’

Newry Show Society will host a ‘Big Breakfast’ on Saturday, March 4 at Jerrettspass Village Hall with donations on the...
Tillage: One cereal grower opts for P and K holiday in 2023

N.Ireland

Tillage: One cereal grower opts for P and K holiday in 2023

Co. Down cereal grower Allan Chambers will not be applying bagged phosphate (P) and potash (K) to his winter cereal...
Promising first field results from gene-edited wheat variety

Arable

Promising first field results from gene-edited wheat variety

The results of Europe’s first ever field trial of a gene-edited (GE) wheat variety are now available and show signs...
UFU backs new carbon survey

N.Ireland

UFU backs new carbon survey

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is supporting the ‘carbon survey’ project, recently announced by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC)....
Derry farmer to travel to Denmark for study trip on dairy

N.Ireland

Derry farmer to travel to Denmark for study trip on dairy

This summer will see Scott Thompson heading to Denmark to take part in a three-day, dairy-focused study trip. Scott milks...
Using YouTube to supplement a tillage operation

Agri-Business

Using YouTube to supplement a tillage operation

A Lancashire tillage farmer is currently using YouTube as a means of bolstering the income generated from his tillage operation....
LMC to ‘carbon survey’ all FQAS members

N.Ireland

LMC to ‘carbon survey’ all FQAS members

The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) has confirmed that the Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) will be used as a...
UFU highlights need to retain sustainable arable sector

N.Ireland

UFU highlights need to retain sustainable arable sector

A vibrant and sustainable arable sector must be retained at the very heart of agriculture in Northern Ireland. This is...
Tillage: New norm for wheat prices could be around €300/t

N.Ireland

Tillage: New norm for wheat prices could be around €300/t

Wheat prices at around €300/t could be the new norm for the market, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development...
NI cereal growers concerned about slippage in grain prices

N.Ireland

NI cereal growers concerned about slippage in grain prices

Cereal growers and arable farmers in Northern Ireland are deeply concerned about the recent slippage in grain prices and the...
TB adding to the cost burden on farms in Northern Ireland

N.Ireland

TB adding to the cost burden on farms in Northern Ireland

Farmers in Northern Ireland impacted by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) are coming under a significantly enhanced cost burden at the present...
What will be the impact of collapsing dairy markets?

N.Ireland

What will be the impact of collapsing dairy markets?

The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland has highlighted the impact that collapsing dairy markets could have on farmgate milk prices...