news 2025

A new study has revealed bumblebee workers are getting smaller in areas with high honeybee activity. The research, carried out in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, found that managed honeybee colonies can alter the behaviour and physical traits of wild bumblebees, even in flower-rich environments. Publishing their findings in Proceedings of the Royal Society B , researchers from University College Dublin and Lund University examined how different numbers of honeybee hives affected forage availability and bumblebee activity across late summer sites dominated by blooming heather.

Posted on: 04 December 2025 Higher plant diversity in agricultural grasslands increases yields with lower inputs of nitrogen fertiliser. That is the headline finding of a landmark, international study led by Trinity that paints a promising picture for more sustainable agriculture. And in further good news, the research shows that under warmer temperatures, the yield benefits of more diverse grasslands further increase.

A new study has revealed that work-family conflict (WFC) is a common contributor to psychological distress among farmers in Ireland, with researchers calling for enhanced mental health support for farming families. The study, 'Between the Farm and Family: A Cross-Sectional Survey on Work-Family Conflict in Farmers in Ireland', was conducted by researchers from UCD and DCU, and is the first research to examine work-family conflict specifically in Irish farmers.