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As combines finish up across the country, many growers are already looking ahead to autumn drilling. Fane Valley has placed risk management at the core of its winter cereal portfolio. “Our focus is on supporting growers with genetics and seed technologies that promote strong establishment and guard against key threats such as BYDV, septoria and yellow…

The 2025 growing season has reminded us once again that no two years are ever the same in farming. A warm and settled summer has pushed maize crops on at an exceptional pace, with harvest expected to be several weeks earlier than normal across Northern Ireland. High levels of sunshine and above-average temperatures in July…

Cover crops are gaining momentum amongst arable farmers as a practical and sustainable tool to improve soil health, protect the environment and potentially fix nitrogen. Integrating cover crops into crop rotations delivers a multitude of benefits. Soil Health and Structure The primary benefit is the improvement of soil structure. Cover crops, especially multi-species mixes, develop extensive…

In recent years, the introduction of solid-based milk payment systems has brought significant changes to the dairy industry in Northern Ireland. At the core of this approach is the A+B−C payment structure, which rewards farmers based on the quality, rather than just the volume of milk produced. Specifically, it offers financial incentives for higher protein…

Leptospirosis, more commonly referred to as Lepto, is a bacterial infection mainly in cattle that is spread through infected urine, abortion products and venereal infection. Lepto has significant Zoonotic risk – this is when there is a high risk of infected animals also infecting humans (or vice-versa). It is crucial to protect your herd from…

As cereal crops across Northern Ireland approach maturity, you should consider the significant benefits of harvesting cereals for wholecrop silage. With increasing pressure on forage stocks and a drive for greater self-sufficiency, wholecrop silage is proving a valuable addition to many livestock diets. The key to successful wholecrop silage lies in harvesting at the right…

Statistics show that almost 3 million sheep in the UK are lame at any one time. This number of lame sheep is costly, with an estimated cost to the UK sheep industry of £24 million per year. Lame sheep have poor fertility and lambs finish fattening later than they should. This means that lameness is…

In recent years, the introduction of solid-based milk payment systems has brought significant changes to the dairy industry in Northern Ireland. At the core of this approach is the A+B−C payment structure, which rewards farmers based on the quality, rather than just the volume of milk produced. Specifically, it offers financial incentives for higher protein…

Efficient and well-managed heifer rearing plays a vital role in the productivity and profitability of any dairy herd. Grazing systems offer a cost-effective alternative to housing, significantly reducing inputs such as feed, bedding and labour. However, this lower-cost approach must be matched with structured management to ensure heifers reach key development milestones and grow into…