Farming

Ulster Farmers' Union deputy president Glenn Cuddy said the need for labour is a high as ever, but rising costs mean families can't afford to take on workers. Photo: UFU

Farming jobs fall sharply as NI employment in general grows

Rob Pope embarked on 500-mile challenge to help Britain reconnect with local food and communities

A third of Brits feel disconnected from where their food comes from

Farming star Harriet Cowan has written a book about her life on the farm

Clarkson's Farm fans can pre-order Harriet Cowan's new book for free

The land-based sector adds £2.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and supports 452,900 jobs, often in rural and remote areas.

Ad Feature Failure to invest in agricultural training risks UK food security

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) Minister Andrew Muir

Andrew Muir presses UK Government for VAT relief on fuel for farmers

The strategy claims a move from mixed farming to a focus on livestock, seen over the past few decades, is harmful. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Farming rapped for wildlife loss and pollution in Stormont countryside plan

Robbie Butler, UUP agriculture spokesperson.

Farmers 'need action not speeches' to restore confidence in their future

Morning View

Editorial: The major cut to the new Farm Tax is welcome but belated

There are suspected cases of bluetongue in Northern Ireland.

What is bluetongue after suspected cases of 'devastating' virus

Rural revival: How NI’s countryside could drive the UK’s future growth

One of last year's barn owl chicks being carefully ringed (under licence) at the Kelly family farm in Ballyalton, Co Down. Pic: Ulster Wildlife/PA Wire

Co Down farm celebrates after third year of successful breeding of barn owls

Sadhguru being interviewed by Ralph Blackburn

Sadhguru interview: famous yogi gives 25 years to save Britain's soil

Ellie Pacey with her 'light modified' tractor called On The Limit at the UK Truck and Tractor Pull 2025. Ellie, from Northants, has been tractor-pulling since aged 7 and was crowned Miss Northamptonshire in July 2020. All photos credit Lucinda Herbert

I've been tractor-pulling since age 7 -and I was Miss England finalist

Firefighters, paramedics, and farmers topped the list

These are the top 20 toughest everyday jobs, according to Brits

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer may feel that there is a national defence imperative to move closer to Europe in security terms, writes Esmond Birnie

Esmond Birnie: The UK-EU deal has as many holes in it as Swiss cheese

One of the horses on show had what looked like a custom-made sun cap for protection from the heat

Comment: Gamble on Maze site has paid off in spades for the Balmoral Show
The management team at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) has made two fundamentally strategic decisions over the past 15 years.
Richard Halleron

You might be lucky to see a yellowhammer at this time of the year

RSPB NI calls on farmers to do their bit for nature

Sinn Fein Infrastructure Minister Kimmins pictured with Seamus Keenan, DfI Roads, at the A5. She said she is keen to see the A5 scheme progress without further delays. Photo: Dept of Infrastructure.

A5 upgrade: UUP say farmers 'under siege' as land taken but no payments made

Mr Barney Gilliland (right), Ulster Farmers’ Union general secretary, takes the opportunity at the NI Grain Trade dinner at the end of April 1981, to “talk Brussels” with Mr Geoffrey Martin, of the Belfast Office of the EEC, as UFU President, Mr Joe Patton, enjoys the “informal crack”. Picture: Farming Life archives/Darryl Armitage

Farming is ‘far from declining’ declares Minister of Agriculture

Martin Clunes’ new book charts the wonders of animals

Martin Clunes' new book charts the wonder of animals

Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch (front 2nd R) is joined by MPs Mel Stride, Chris Philp, Esther McVey, Claire Coutinho, Victoria Atkins, Andrew Griffith, and Priti Patel as they take part in the farmers rally on 19 November 2024 in London (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The real reasons farmers are protesting over Inheritance Tax changes

Robbie Butler, the UUP chairman of Stormont's farming committee

'Farming looks easy when your plough is a pencil'

Farmers who inherit land worth a total of £1m or more will face a new 20% tax under plans laid out by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Budget at the end of October.

Change course on "cash cow" farmer tax, says Little-Pengelly

Robin Swann (Press Association)

Robin Swann: The government has lost the trust of farmers

The DJI Neo uses AI to lock on to a person and follow them around

We test a bargain drone that flies itself and follows you around

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir MLA has announced the launch of the Farming for the Generations pilot scheme

New pilot scheme launched for succession planning for farm families

(Photos: Getty Images)

Dairy giant warns milk and butter prices could rise in 2024
‘Global market uncertainty’ could inflate your grocery bills even further 🥛
Alex Nelson

New figures show that farming continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK with a total of 35 people losing their lives on farms in 2023/24. In a sector that accounts for 1% of the working population in Northern Ireland, agriculture accounts for 47% of all deaths in the workplace. Credit: The Farm Safety Foundation, Yellow Wellies

Report: Farming revealed to be Northern Ireland’s most dangerous job

Clever sheepdog springs into action when herd of sheep loses its way

Clever collie leaps to the rescue when a herd of sheep gets lost

Royal Highland Show

Watch hour-long Royal Highland Show highlights each day on Shots! TV

In rural communities across Northern Ireland, a pressing issue lurks beneath the serene façade of farmlands: a shortage of hands to tend to the crops

Urgent call for young people in NI to get involved in farming during holidays

Closeup of a man looking away in deep thought , depression

Mental health challenge faced by young farmers a concern for 95% in industry

Many admit to not really knowing what farms do

Almost a third of Brits admit to not really knowing what farms do

King Charles is looking for students to live and work at Sandringham

King Charles looking for students to live and work at Sandringham

Crowds watching one of the events in sunny weather on the last day of the Balmoral Show, Saturday May 14 2023

Another successful Balmoral but show could reach even greater heights

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper is launching a new bursary with the Royal Agriculture University.

Clarkson’s Farm side-kick Kaleb Cooper announces huge career move

Jeremy Clarkson outside his Diddly Squat farm shop in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

Jeremy Clarkson hits out at Chelsea Flower Show

Jeremy Clarkson during the "Clarkson's Farm" photocall at St. Pancras Renaissance London Hotel

Jeremy Clarkson left sleepless over sending animals to slaughter

Jeremy Clarkson has opened a restaurant at his Diddly Squat farm.

Jeremy Clarkson closes Diddly Squat farm restaurant

David Brown UFU President at Rural Support Stand at Castlewellan Show

‘Food production needs support’

Farms remain the most dangerous workplaces in the UK and Ireland

Farms remain most dangerous workplaces and ‘must improve’

John Gabbie from Ballynahinch, Co Down, with the supreme champion Simmental bull which sold for 1,460 guineas at the breed show and sale at Balmoral in March 1982. Picture: Farming Life archives

BYGONE DAYS: Top honour for Ballynahinch farmer as he takes up club presidency

Harry Ferguson and Henry Ford with an early Massey Ferguson tractor. Picture: National Museums Northern Ireland

Ulster Folk Museum to celebrate Ferguson Tractor day this weekend

Campaign on Type 2 Diabetes focusses on farm families

‘Farming and research have always been in my blood’

Emma Kerr, Marketing Director and Melissa Devlin, Marketing Executive at GCD

Farming’s answer to Netflix gets top accolade

‘Agriculture is a cornerstone that cannot be diminished’ - Carla Lockhart

Could you see youself ‘Coortin’ in the Kitchen?’

How to show your support for our nation's farmers

‘How I fought back from my lowest point’

Agriculture has the poorest safety record of any occupation, said the HSENI

Eight Northern Ireland farm deaths last year

Farm Safety Week: Coping with the pressures of farming

Samaritans offer support to anyone who has been struggling with the challenges in life

Samaritans offer support to rural and farming communities

Gathering potatoes could be back breaking work

Farming yarns: Share your stories or memories and win!

From left to right Kevin Baum, Justin Webb and John Faragher

Wheatsheaf Group invests in Australian company AgriWebb to transform the future ...

News you can trust since 1737

© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice