Farming With Nature opens for applications

The new agri environment scheme in NI, known as Farming With Nature, opened for applications on Monday.

The first tranche of the scheme has a six-week application window which closes at 5pm on Monday 4 August 2025.

Successful applicants can receive up to £9,500 in the first tranche and will remain eligible for future tranches of the scheme.

However, farms that still have a live Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) agreement are not eligible to join Farming With Nature.

Analysis by the Irish Farmers Journal indicates there are around 4,500 ongoing EFS agreements at present.

There are five measures available in the first tranche of Farming With Nature. These include planting new hedges and farmland trees, establishing riparian buffers, multi-species winter cover crop and retaining winter stubble.

Other items are available as an optional extra for successful applicants, such as fencing, gates, and water drinkers.

Lamb exports to Britain higher than ROI

More NI lambs moved to Britain last week for direct slaughter than the Republic of Ireland (ROI), according to official data from DAERA.

The figures show that 2,870 sheep from NI were exported to factories in Britain, compared to 1,980 sheep moving to ROI-based abattoirs.

On top of that, sources indicate that over 1,500 sheep were also exported to Britain last week under breeding and fattening licences, bringing total exports for the week to well over 4,000 head.

Exports to Britain from NI have taken off since mid-May, with 9,974 sheep moving for direct slaughter this year to date.

It has been a major factor underpinning the local lamb trade in recent weeks and has made factories up base prices to £7.10/kg.

That said, exports to ROI still remain a key outlet for NI lamb producers, with 125,044 lambs moving south so far this year.

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Fertiliser price rise at NI merchants

Disruption in global fertiliser markets has led to price increases at local suppliers across NI.

The exact price rises vary across merchants and depend on how much stock each supplier had in their yard.

In general, prices are up £10 to £20 since early June and suppliers indicate that more increases could be on the cards.

It leaves quotes for CAN ranging from £350 to £370/tonne this week, with compound products such as 27-4-4 running from £415 to £435/tonne.

Regional tensions in the Middle East are a key factor as gas supplies and fertiliser production have been impacted in the likes of Iran, Israel and Egypt.

Other factors include the EU plan to impose extra tariffs on Russian fertiliser from 1 July worth €40-45/tonne and a tightening of UK imports as European plants reduce output.

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Lakeland hit with NIEA enforcement notices

Lakeland Dairies’ processing plant in Artigarvan, Co Tyrone has been issued with three enforcement notices from the NI Environment Agency during the last year.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said the notices related to odour, as well as emission limits from an effluent treatment plant and discharges of surface water.

The site, which is located in the centre of the village, has been subject to complaints from local residents about foul odours.

In response to written question from the SDLP’s Daniel McCrossan, Minister Muir said the notices have led to the company “carrying out significant improvement works”.

“The majority of the improvement works have been completed to date with additional measures being identified to be completed by the end of July 2025,” he said.

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Bluetongue information published by DAERA

DAERA has published a disease control framework for bluetongue virus (BTV).

BTV affects most species of wild and domestic ruminants, but clinical signs and mortality are more severe in domestic sheep, compared to cattle and goats.

The disease is characterised by symptoms such as high fever, depression, lesions in the mouth and nose, nasal discharge, lameness and in severe cases, mortality.

Commenting, Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher said BTV is unpredictable and can spread rapidly through flocks and herds.

“Departmental officials are preparing for a possible incursion of BTV and are working closely with our colleagues in the Republic of Ireland to ensure a co-ordinated response in tackling the disease,” he said.

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Scotland ditches CI target in small herds

Suckler herds in Scotland which produce 10 or fewer calves won’t have to meet new calving interval targets in the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme in 2026 and beyond.

A requirement that eligible cows have a calving interval no more than 410 days was introduced within the scheme in 2025. Small farmers in Scotland have argued that the requirement is too difficult to achieve in practice.

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