FERMANAGH farmers are being urged to sign up join a new initiative from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), aimed at improving fertility in beef herds. The new themed-group programme focuses is as part of the college’s Beef Sustainability Package, and as well as having a practical purpose they are also a social aspect too. CAFRE […]
Rare Swiss sheep make their home in Fermanagh
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A LOCAL woman, who is one of the only keepers of an award-winning flock of rare Valais Blacknose sheep in the North, is competing for glory at major UK shows. Jackie O’Shea and her husband Patrick own 22 Valais Blacknose sheep – a very rare variety which originate from a remote region in Switzerland, with only 19,000 purebreds in […]
Have your say on puppy and kitten sale reforms
A PUBLIC consultation has been launched in Northern Ireland on new proposals to regulate the selling and supplying of puppies and kittens. Led by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, the proposals aim to improve animal welfare through measures like a version of Lucy’s Law, banning third-party sales. This would require all sellers to have bred the […]
Warning for Fermanagh dog owners during lambing season
FERMANAGH dog owners have been warned to keep their dogs under control in the countryside, particularly now during the ongoing lambing season. The warning has been issued by Fermanagh and Omagh Council, who noted livestock worrying by dogs was “a key concern for farmers and still remains an issue”, with 30 reported incidents in the local […]
Farmer died after being attacked by bull, inquest finds
AN inquest into the death of 81-year-old retired Dromore farmer Harold Gilmore found that his death was caused by trampling most likely caused by a bull. Mr Gilmore died on July 20 of last year in a field close to his home, which he owned but was rented out on the Fintona Road, Dromore. It […]
Farming is the most overworked industry
FARMERS are the hardest workers in the UK, a new survey has revealed. Farmers, along with those in the fishing and forestry industries, work an average of 42 hours a week, which is 32.13 percent more than the average worker, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. The figures, which were analysed by legal […]
WATCH: Fermanagh Fun Farm goes barking mad!
By Annie Flynn FERMANAGH Fun Farm opened its doors to some furry friends for the first time ever in honour of National Puppy Appreciation Day, which was celebrated all around the country Sunday. Families that visited brought their dogs to the farm and all different breeds came along to play together. Among the guests were ‘Bridget’ the bulldog, ‘Tiny’ […]
Fermanagh farmers take to the road in protest
FERMANAGH farmers found their voice at the weekend, when hundreds took part in huge tractor protest against changes to inheritance tax. Setting off at 2pm on Saturday from the Farmers’ Mart on the Old Tempo Road in Enniskillen, the huge convoy made its way up through the county town, as part of a day of […]
Tractor protest in Enniskillen tomorrow
ROAD users and members of the public are being made aware of a potential traffic build-up as a major tractor run is scheduled to take place in Enniskillen tomorrow (Saturday, January 25). “The event will involve a convoy of tractors leaving Enniskillen Mart on the Old Tempo Road at 2pm,” a Police statement said. “The […]
Fermanagh farmer devastated after sheep killed
A LOCAL sheep farmer was left devastated after one of his animals suffered an “excruciating death” following a fatal dog attack, which highlights the serious dangers facing rural Fermanagh farmers. John Hazlett has been rearing sheep on his farm in Belleek for almost 20-years and he lost his first animal to a dog attack on […]