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.

IFA calls for an immediate suspension of EU fertiliser import duties

Agri-Business

IFA calls for an immediate suspension of EU fertiliser import duties

The IFA is to ask the European Commission to suspend all EU fertiliser import duties with immediate effect, according to...

Broadleaf weeds remain a challenge on Co. Derry tillage farm

Arable

Broadleaf weeds remain a challenge on Co. Derry tillage farm

The current spell of good weather has significantly boosted the growth rate of winter barley crops – and some weeds...

How to manage high-yielding dairy cows at grass

Dairy

How to manage high-yielding dairy cows at grass

High-yielding dairy cows, averaging in excess of 7,500L per lactation, can produce significant quantities of milk from grazed grass, according...

Apple growers turn to heaters to save crops from late frost

Agri-Business

Apple growers turn to heaters to save crops from late frost

The heavy frosts forecast for this week could wreak havoc in Ireland’s orchards, according to Co. Tipperary apple grower Cornelius...

Grass tetany cases have started – know the early signs

Beef

Grass tetany cases have started – know the early signs

Kyle Veterinary Clinic in Durrow, Co Laois, received its first call out of the year to a suspected grass tetany...

Strengthening futures’ market could encourage last season’s wheat to be stored

Arable

Strengthening futures’ market could encourage last season’s wheat to be stored

A strengthening futures’ market could make it feasible to store 2014 wheat well into the new season, according to Agricultural...

Research confirms lack of direct contact between dairy cows and badgers

Dairy

Research confirms lack of direct contact between dairy cows and badgers

There is little evidence that badgers and dairy cows interact with each other directly, according to Dr Declan O’Mahony, from...

Research confirms that lupins are a viable soya substitute in animal feeds

Arable

Research confirms that lupins are a viable soya substitute in animal feeds

Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) in Wales have confirmed that lupins will provide...

‘Increased calf numbers drive calf feed sales’

Beef

‘Increased calf numbers drive calf feed sales’

Calf feed sales have risen by up to 20% year on year, according to Sean McGlynn, Commercial and Technical Manager...

‘Dairy sector should explore all-island exporting opportunities’

Dairy

‘Dairy sector should explore all-island exporting opportunities’

There are circumstances when the dairy sectors throughout Ireland should join forces to maximise the prices that can be delivered...

Mixed signals from international dairy commodity markets in March

Dairy

Mixed signals from international dairy commodity markets in March

While global milk production eased in March, this did not bring about a commensurate strengthening in all dairy commodity prices,...

Soya prices to fall by 6.4% over the next six months

Agri-Business

Soya prices to fall by 6.4% over the next six months

Irish soya bean prices could drop by just over 6% between now and the beginning of the October, according to...

Environmental stress triggers PCVAD disease in pigs

Pig/Poultry

Environmental stress triggers PCVAD disease in pigs

Stress makes pigs more likely to suffer from Porcine CircoVirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) symptoms, according to the results of a...

‘Winter barley crops need a growth regulator now’

Arable

‘Winter barley crops need a growth regulator now’

Winter barley crops should be sprayed with a growth regulator over the coming days to ensure they remain standing through...

‘Convenient worm control now, immunity for the future’

Beef

‘Convenient worm control now, immunity for the future’

Using a season long wormer will both treat lung worm infestations in weanling cattle – including replacement heifers – while,...

UK’s winter-drilled crops in good condition

Arable

UK’s winter-drilled crops in good condition

The latest crops report from the UK’s Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) reveals that winter-drilled crops were in good...

New disease early warning systems to be developed for crops

Arable

New disease early warning systems to be developed for crops

Scientists at Rothamsted Research in the UK are to begin work on two projects, both of which will focus on...

UK dairy sector launches an initiative to reduce the incidence of Johne’s disease

Dairy

UK dairy sector launches an initiative to reduce the incidence of Johne’s disease

The dairy industries in England, Scotland and Wales are joining forces to launch an Action Johne’s disease campaign, which will...