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<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Ask any farmer who's had one and they'll tell you that there's nothing like the flutter in your chest when word comes through that there's an inspection’s on the way. Even if you’ve nothing to hide, it puts you on edge. You start second-guessing yourself: Did I update that remedies book? Are all the calves tagged? Is the vet cert still stuck to the fridge?</p><p>But here’s the truth: inspections aren’t about catching you out, they’re about making sure farms are safe, sustainable, and run with care. The trick is preparation, not perfection. And the farms that sail through aren’t the flashiest, they’re the ones with their house in order, paperwork tight, yards safe, and livestock well looked after.</p><p>So here’s a proper, no-nonsense guide to help you do just that.</p><figure id="figure-49hzs6wtqmbjmoymq" class=""><img id="49hzs6wtqmbjmoymq" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/598143276/photo/digital-technology-used-in-chicken-coop.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=XEk-Hf5TWLeWP6Se9f5KZQk2tSh8CyXCGC0KEdyW2g4=" alt="Digital technology used in chicken coop" title="Digital technology used in chicken coop" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/598143276/photo/digital-technology-used-in-chicken-coop.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=XEk-Hf5TWLeWP6Se9f5KZQk2tSh8CyXCGC0KEdyW2g4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Start with the Paperwork – It Sets the Tone</h3><p>The paperwork might seem like the driest bit, but it’s the foundation of the inspection. If your documents are scattered in gloveboxes and biscuit tins, the whole thing starts on the back foot.</p><p>What to have on hand:</p><ul><li>Your herd register, up to date and matching movement records on the AIM system.</li><li>Remedies log showing every dose, date, product, and withdrawal period.</li><li>Slurry and fertiliser application records. Since early 2023, all chemical fertiliser purchases must be logged online.</li><li>Feed invoices and product labels. These need to be kept for at least five years.</li><li>Soil test results if you’re in ACRES or applying lime, less than four years old.</li><li>Nutrient Management Plan, especially if you’re in a derogation or have intensive grassland.</li><li>Proof of participation in schemes like ACRES, Eco Scheme or TAMS, including commitments and maps.</li></ul><p><br>Don't leave it to the night before. Have everything filed, printed if possible, or easily accessible online via AgFood.</p><figure id="figure-3y6x1w2m3smbjmrjeu" class=""><img id="3y6x1w2m3smbjmrjeu" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1132224201/photo/veterinarian-and-female-farmer-inspecting-livestock-on-pasture.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=US0OkLWYa42X92wmRdc4nIBJcUs34Nb0R5iTbd-4L5k=" alt="Veterinarian and female farmer inspecting livestock on pasture" title="Veterinarian and female farmer inspecting livestock on pasture" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1132224201/photo/veterinarian-and-female-farmer-inspecting-livestock-on-pasture.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=US0OkLWYa42X92wmRdc4nIBJcUs34Nb0R5iTbd-4L5k=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Yard Walk: Fix What’s Fixable, Tidy What’s Tidy</h3><p>Inspectors will walk the farm, not to nit-pick but to make sure you’re not running a risk, either to yourself, the animals, or the environment.</p><p>Things they’ll quietly take note of:</p><ul><li>Are gates hanging properly? Any sharp edges or broken slats?</li><li>Are slurry tanks and lagoons secure and signposted?</li><li>Is machinery safely stored, or left in a way that’s a danger to others?</li><li>Is chemical storage locked, dry, and clearly labelled?</li><li>Are livestock pens safe to work in? Think crush safety, head gates, and slip hazards.</li><li>Are feed stores clean, pest-free, and structurally sound?</li></ul><p><br>The overall state of the yard matters. It doesn’t need to be spotless, but it should show that you take pride in what you’re running.</p><figure id="figure-m5h2aezejmbjmuwka" class=""><img id="m5h2aezejmbjmuwka" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2156298073/photo/morning-sunlight-shining-through-a-countryside-field-gate.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ptZwMCrtt1z6HOO6Mbf8F0WVP42vZC3LVtxXJvSAseE=" alt="Morning sunlight shining through a countryside field gate" title="Morning sunlight shining through a countryside field gate" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2156298073/photo/morning-sunlight-shining-through-a-countryside-field-gate.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ptZwMCrtt1z6HOO6Mbf8F0WVP42vZC3LVtxXJvSAseE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Livestock Welfare: They’ll See What You See (and What You Don’t)</h3><p>Animal welfare is a central part of any inspection. One missed tag, one lame animal without treatment, and the conversation shifts.</p><p>Get ahead of it:</p><ul><li>Double-tag every animal. No excuses. One missing tag leads to more digging.</li><li>Calf registrations must be done within 27 days of birth.</li><li>Ensure animals have access to clean water and suitable bedding where housed.</li><li>If any animals are sick or lame, document the treatment, vet call, or decision.</li><li>Housing should allow enough space per head. Don’t overcrowd.</li></ul><p><br>Walk the sheds yourself a few days ahead. Imagine you’re seeing it for the first time. Better yet, ask a neighbour to do it with fresh eyes.</p><figure id="figure-1mxjk6dtu7mbjmwjeq" class=""><img id="1mxjk6dtu7mbjmwjeq" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1030239488/photo/young-woman-caring-for-cows.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Yj2-Sg2tewCLFs0SXq3ru5Sli6VIGLSeRp6xmsiSv54=" alt="Young Woman Caring for Cows" title="Young Woman Caring for Cows" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1030239488/photo/young-woman-caring-for-cows.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Yj2-Sg2tewCLFs0SXq3ru5Sli6VIGLSeRp6xmsiSv54=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Environmental Compliance: It’s Under the Microscope</h3><p>Fertiliser use, slurry storage, and water protection are no longer side notes—they’re key parts of compliance.</p><p>Here’s what they’ll ask:</p><ul><li>Have you enough slurry storage for your stocking rate? You’ll need proof- calculations or Teagasc reports.</li><li>Are you using low-emission spreading methods if in derogation or above certain nitrogen limits?</li><li>Is clean water properly diverted away from tanks or sheds?</li><li>Are buffer zones respected near ditches, streams, or wells?</li><li>Are there signs of runoff, over-spreading, or poaching?</li></ul><p><br>The closed period for spreading is now strictly enforced. Weather excuses won’t hold if your tanks were already full in October.</p><figure id="figure-fvt8veu1o7mbjmyewo" class=""><img id="fvt8veu1o7mbjmyewo" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1416468570/photo/aerial-view-above-waste-water-treatment-plant-with-green-algae.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kEZ5jcESPztN3gBEX9hL7BilV6rxCdFQ5VTapGI7Vp8=" alt="Aerial view above waste water treatment plant with green algae" title="Aerial view above waste water treatment plant with green algae" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1416468570/photo/aerial-view-above-waste-water-treatment-plant-with-green-algae.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kEZ5jcESPztN3gBEX9hL7BilV6rxCdFQ5VTapGI7Vp8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Scheme Compliance: Follow the Promises You Made</h3><p>If you’ve signed up to ACRES, Eco Scheme, or TAMS, then you’ve also committed to doing certain things a certain way.</p><p>Here’s what to double-check:</p><ul><li>ACRES actions like low-input pastures, buffer strips, or field margins must be marked, undisturbed, and grazed or cut as agreed.</li><li>Hedgerow management should follow the rules on cutting dates and biodiversity.</li><li>TAMS-funded equipment or infrastructure should be in place, used properly, and available for inspection.</li><li>Derogation farmers must have soil tests, a nutrient plan, and use low-emission slurry spreading gear.</li></ul><p><br>A surprising number of penalties happen because farmers forget the details of what they signed up for. Go back over your application and refresh the memory.</p><figure id="figure-ndbyyco5tmbjmzyrn" class=""><img id="ndbyyco5tmbjmzyrn" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1472762395/photo/countryside-near-westerham-in-kent-uk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=raUYw5ytUktKl_SJ18dA6gbmJ1UqxkmzeYXHhQpICsk=" alt="Countryside near Westerham in Kent, UK" title="Countryside near Westerham in Kent, UK" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1472762395/photo/countryside-near-westerham-in-kent-uk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=raUYw5ytUktKl_SJ18dA6gbmJ1UqxkmzeYXHhQpICsk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Health and Safety: Not Just Box-Ticking</h3><p>Even if you’re working alone, the Department will expect a basic level of safety awareness on the farm.</p><p>Have this ready:</p><ul><li>Risk assessments for slurry, livestock, machinery and chemicals.</li><li>Helmets, gloves, or goggles available where needed.</li><li>Fire extinguisher in good condition, especially near workshops.</li><li>First-aid kit stocked and visible.</li><li>Clear, safe access to sheds and exits.</li></ul><p><br>If you’ve got family helping out, contractors on site, or host farm walks, the expectations go up a notch.</p><figure id="figure-2iqequlebmbjn1bgb" class=""><img id="2iqequlebmbjn1bgb" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2167558560/photo/first-aid-kit.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VAvfu09URflWSOiMjTKPHaXAYGJakMciwNJFZSzPimk=" alt="First aid kit" title="First aid kit" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2167558560/photo/first-aid-kit.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VAvfu09URflWSOiMjTKPHaXAYGJakMciwNJFZSzPimk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>A Department inspection doesn’t have to ruin your week. If your farm is reasonably well-kept, your paperwork is in order, and you’re honest about what’s working and what’s not, most inspectors are fair.</p><p>But if things are in a heap, if the records don’t line up, or if safety’s been ignored, it can cost you. Payments, penalties, even reputation. So, take a walk today, print the last three months of AIM reports, pull your nitrate records into one folder, fix that broken gate hinge, because the best farms aren’t the most high-tech—they’re the ones that are proud to open the gate when someone knocks.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Preparing Your Farm for a Department Inspection: A Step-by-Step Guide

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>You don’t need to be told that slurry is both a blessing and a headache. Managed well, it’s a valuable fertiliser that saves you money and boosts grass growth. Managed poorly, it’s a source of emissions, hassle, and Department grief. And with tighter rules now firmly in place, the question isn’t if you need to change how you’re handling slurry, it’s how, and how affordably.</p><p>The good news is that you don’t need to pour €50,000 into the ground just to stay compliant. There are practical, proven steps that can make a real difference, whether you’re running a suckler herd in Mayo or milking in Laois.</p><figure id="figure-7y4aimryglmbjlhssc"><img id="7y4aimryglmbjlhssc" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/35pWjpiLLkY73pAeAMQDQQnmgjKtZbVwJFzp3eol0Ne556xPPKPp8pNlPHNkuybI.jpeg" alt="slurry management" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/35pWjpiLLkY73pAeAMQDQQnmgjKtZbVwJFzp3eol0Ne556xPPKPp8pNlPHNkuybI.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Storage: What You're Legally Required to Have and What Actually Works</h3><p>Depending on where you farm and your system, you need between 16 and 22 weeks of slurry storage. But for many, that’s barely enough to cover a bad winter. Once the tanks are full and the ground’s too wet, you’re into dangerous territory, both for compliance and for the environment.</p><p>A 100-cow suckler herd, wintered indoors, will produce around 600 to 800 cubic metres of slurry. If you’re short by 200 cubic metres, you have a few options that don’t involve tearing up half the yard.</p><ul><li>Installing a slurry bag or bladder (at roughly €90 per cubic metre) might cost around €18,000 for 200m³.</li><li>A steel above-ground tank will cost a bit more, but lasts longer—around €25,000–€35,000 fully installed.</li><li>Rehabilitating an old pit or lagoon can cost between €8,000 and €15,000, depending on condition.</li></ul><p><br>Most of these upgrades are eligible for 60% grant aid under TAMS 3—meaning a decent-sized storage improvement could cost you less than €10,000 out of pocket. That’s a serious saving over repeated panic spreads or fines.</p><figure id="figure-foasro37jbmbjlhyds" class=""><img id="foasro37jbmbjlhyds" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/08ZOTUbRHeGPPLe6Cx7FnhfPb2fJnme4e38yycUFQCIImGNA5snLYaZgcbQ2WzYZ.jpeg" alt="slurry storage" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/08ZOTUbRHeGPPLe6Cx7FnhfPb2fJnme4e38yycUFQCIImGNA5snLYaZgcbQ2WzYZ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Don’t Let Your Nutrients Disappear Into Thin Air</h3><p>Slurry contains fertiliser. It’s got nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and it’s worth money, if you can hold onto it. But up to half of your nitrogen can be lost to the air through ammonia, especially if the slurry is open to rain, left to sit too long, or spread using old splash plates.</p><p>Covering your tank, rigid or flexible, can cut ammonia loss by up to 80%. A decent cover for a 100m³ tank might run to €2,500, but if you’re getting 60% of that back through grant aid, you’re only really paying €1,000. It also keeps the rain out, which means you’re not paying to store water.</p><p>Low-emission spreading (like trailing shoes or dribble bars) doesn’t just tick a regulatory box, it holds more nitrogen in the slurry. You could get 30–40% more nitrogen retention compared to splash plates. On a 40-hectare farm, that could mean an extra €3,500–€5,000 in fertiliser value every year. If you're not ready to buy, hiring a contractor or joining a machinery ring is a solid workaround.</p><figure id="figure-498t2xa1mrmbjlr03w" class=""><img id="498t2xa1mrmbjlr03w" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1298903406/photo/red-tractor-with-slurry-tanker-and-green-hoses-stands-on-an-autumn-meadow-the-field-can-be.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=GwPwCydfd43BCEl5jkYYwMxP0UkaUpdq-qD8-zbGypk=" alt="red tractor with slurry tanker and green hoses stands on an autumn meadow, the field can be cultivated faster with these machines, during the day , sunshine without clouds" title="red tractor with slurry tanker and green hoses stands on an autumn meadow, the field can be cultivated faster with these machines, during the day , sunshine without clouds" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1298903406/photo/red-tractor-with-slurry-tanker-and-green-hoses-stands-on-an-autumn-meadow-the-field-can-be.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=GwPwCydfd43BCEl5jkYYwMxP0UkaUpdq-qD8-zbGypk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What’s Actually In Your Slurry?</h3><p>Not all slurry is created equal. Testing your slurry for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium costs around €35 per sample, and gives you the actual value of what you’re spreading. Some tanks can differ by 40% in nutrient value depending on diet, water dilution, and how long it's been sitting.</p><p>One thousand gallons of slurry, well-managed, can be worth up to €25 in fertiliser replacement. Over a year, that could add up to €4,000–€6,000 across your spread lands. But only if you know what you’re working with, and spread it when it counts.</p><p>And timing matters. Slurry spread quickly after agitation holds more of its nutrient value. Stirred and left? You’re just feeding the clouds.</p><figure id="figure-2fbfs98ijcmbjlswwp" class=""><img id="2fbfs98ijcmbjlswwp" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1226256274/photo/vertical-view-down-to-a-large-circular-tank-for-the-storage-of-liquid-manure.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=UIaj8kQA8zzomeUYDhEZI1Gs9R9SptLewar8pXa2UZo=" alt="Vertical view down to a large circular tank for the storage of liquid manure" title="Vertical view down to a large circular tank for the storage of liquid manure" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1226256274/photo/vertical-view-down-to-a-large-circular-tank-for-the-storage-of-liquid-manure.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=UIaj8kQA8zzomeUYDhEZI1Gs9R9SptLewar8pXa2UZo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Cutting Slurry at the Source</h3><p>Here’s a thought, rather than focus only on storing it, why not make less in the first place? Some of the simplest changes can have the biggest effects.</p><ul><li>Keeping cattle at grass just one extra week saves roughly €2.20 per suckler cow per day</li><li>Diverting clean water from roofs and yards away from the tank cuts storage demand and helps avoid overflow in wet winters.</li><li>Out-wintering pads or well-managed straw bedding can reduce shed pressure and slurry volume.</li></ul><figure id="figure-7afinhoydjmbjlumqi" class=""><img id="7afinhoydjmbjlumqi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1197150288/photo/application-of-manure.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=v3QueNMsFAzNQSPyDQsMbu2l-G__5QilVli4USpClW0=" alt="Application of manure" title="Application of manure" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1197150288/photo/application-of-manure.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=v3QueNMsFAzNQSPyDQsMbu2l-G__5QilVli4USpClW0=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What the Grants Can Actually Cover</h3><p>Here’s what you can apply for under TAMS 3:</p><ul><li>New or upgraded tanks (above or below ground).</li><li>Slurry bags or modular stores.</li><li>Tank covers.</li><li>Low-emission spreading equipment.</li><li>Rainwater harvesting systems.</li><li>Out-wintering infrastructure.</li></ul><p><br>You can claim up to €90,000 per tranche, with 60% grant aid for most farmers and 70% for young trained farmers. There’s no shame in going back for multiple tranches—especially when it helps future-proof your business.</p><figure id="figure-9z2dx6u8urmbjlxg78" class=""><img id="9z2dx6u8urmbjlxg78" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1887725278/photo/farm-tractor-spreading-manure-on-arable-land-in-autumn-season.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=xzk6xnOV4flg69unVVgYuvqQUzSeBEoWDkXI1bDNfAs=" alt="AERIAL, TOP DOWN: Farm tractor spreading manure on arable land in autumn season" title="AERIAL, TOP DOWN: Farm tractor spreading manure on arable land in autumn season" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1887725278/photo/farm-tractor-spreading-manure-on-arable-land-in-autumn-season.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=xzk6xnOV4flg69unVVgYuvqQUzSeBEoWDkXI1bDNfAs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Managing slurry used to be a seasonal job. Now it’s a central part of farm planning, nutrient management, and staying above board. But getting it right doesn’t have to mean a total rebuild or unaffordable tech.</p><p>Start small; cover the tank, test the pit, talk to your local Teagasc advisor about storage audits. Even booking a contractor instead of sticking with the old splash plate can make a difference.</p><p>You don’t need to overhaul the yard overnight. But with some well-chosen improvements, and a bit of grant support, you can turn slurry into something that saves money, keeps the inspector happy, and leaves the fields stronger for the next generation.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Cost-Effective Strategies for Better Slurry Management

Pretty cottage garden growing a variety of annual and biannual native flowers in Ireland

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Every summer, Phoenix Park shifts gears. For five days in June, it stops being just a place to stretch the legs or walk the dog and becomes the buzzing heart of Ireland’s biggest celebration of gardening, food, and sustainable living. This year, Bloom 2025 marked its 19th edition, and if you were one of the 100,000-plus visitors wandering among the show gardens, you’ll know it was about more than petunias and perfect lawns.</p><p>This was a festival that spoke quietly but firmly to a bigger picture. Food security, climate action and community resilience. Bloom isn’t just about planting flowers anymore, it’s about planting ideas.</p><figure id="figure-elkizfd9egmbjdh35i" class=""><img id="elkizfd9egmbjdh35i" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22SVAlUWGwamLZKDMAy1kcgdHMtT9veAuozVkgMYNtsqCLc6JyxOM1v9THmmANuA.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/22SVAlUWGwamLZKDMAy1kcgdHMtT9veAuozVkgMYNtsqCLc6JyxOM1v9THmmANuA.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Sustainability Looks Like—In Real Life</h3><p>It’s easy to throw the word “sustainability” around but Bloom actually shows what it looks like when it’s done right, and done practically. This year’s site ditched diesel generators in favour of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), cutting carbon emissions by over 90%. That’s not PR fluff, that’s actual, tangible change on a 70-acre site buzzing with life.</p><p>And speaking of buzz, Bloom’s organisers made a real effort to get people in sustainably. Over 20,000 came by bus or train, and 1,300 more cycled in—helping slash travel emissions across the board. Even waste was tackled head-on, with over 9,000 single-use cups swapped out thanks to a clever borrowing scheme, and 12,000 cans and bottles neatly returned for recycling.</p><p>None of it shouted for attention. It just worked. And it reminded every visitor that climate action isn’t all about big tech—it can be in the little decisions, too.</p><figure id="figure-nlj36fkkxkmbjdj7qw" class=""><img id="nlj36fkkxkmbjdj7qw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2138942870/photo/wellington-monument-in-dublin-ireland-by-drone.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=TqaWCzpDaM3mvDPvaTQtwRaVPvNh6y7a-8oHfuABgAY=" alt="Wellington Monument in Dublin, Ireland by Drone" title="Wellington Monument in Dublin, Ireland by Drone" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2138942870/photo/wellington-monument-in-dublin-ireland-by-drone.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=TqaWCzpDaM3mvDPvaTQtwRaVPvNh6y7a-8oHfuABgAY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Gardens That Say Something</h3><p>The show gardens were as dazzling as ever, but this year, more of them were telling stories. One plot, which scooped a top award, was made almost entirely from reclaimed materials. Old railway sleepers, broken tiles, even salvaged fencing, proof that “low-waste” can still be high-design. Another winner blended repurposed steel with wild pollinator plants and rain-fed water features. It wasn’t just pretty. It was smart.</p><p>And that’s the point. Garden after garden hinted at the bigger themes: resilience, rewilding, adapting to climate pressure. They showed how we can grow food in smaller spaces, support biodiversity, and even make peace with drought—all while keeping things beautiful.</p><p>Some were built by community groups and schools through the Postcard Garden initiative. These tiny but thoughtful gardens covered everything from pollinator protection to climate anxiety, and it was heartening to see young people taking ownership of such big ideas in their own way.</p><figure id="figure-nbpm88utkqmbjdlxb0" class=""><img id="nbpm88utkqmbjdlxb0" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1181584084/photo/father-and-daughter-photographing-flowers-at-park.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Ijx4JVAdGqIiJLvb4VlEPOC5blRIfj0m038L2Eyc1rY=" alt="Father And Daughter Photographing Flowers At Park" title="Father And Daughter Photographing Flowers At Park" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1181584084/photo/father-and-daughter-photographing-flowers-at-park.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Ijx4JVAdGqIiJLvb4VlEPOC5blRIfj0m038L2Eyc1rY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Food That Walks the Talk</h3><p>If you managed to leave Bloom without a full belly, fair play to you. The food offering was outstanding as always but this year, it was also about making sustainable eating feel accessible.</p><p>All food traders were asked to use compostable packaging. No excuses. Meanwhile, surplus food wasn’t binned. In partnership with a national redistribution network, Bloom rescued over 500kg of quality ingredients and turned them into 1,200 meals. That wasn’t just kind, it was clever. It quietly showed how systems can be built around care and circular thinking.</p><p>At the Sustainable Living Stage, over 40 talks ran across the week, from soil health to low-waste living. Nothing preachy, just practical. Real advice for real people. Want to compost better? Save on food bills? Grow herbs in a window box? They had you covered.</p><figure id="figure-vz29xius3ymbjdnulo" class=""><img id="vz29xius3ymbjdnulo" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1413112769/photo/garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=RNEf686c2Bv5grPTPhUJHTHujQWZf9ZpZ9kH9g2uhkw=" alt="Garden" title="Garden" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1413112769/photo/garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=RNEf686c2Bv5grPTPhUJHTHujQWZf9ZpZ9kH9g2uhkw=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A Bigger Picture in Bloom</h3><p>There was a quiet but steady focus this year on the climate and biodiversity crisis, not in a heavy-handed way, but as a nudge. One garden created in partnership with an EU sustainability initiative used reclaimed stone and wild Irish plants to show how old ideas and new systems can co-exist. Another focused on green infrastructure and water conservation, things we don’t usually associate with “garden shows”, but that we’ll need more than ever in the coming years.</p><p>Even the President showed up and spoke to this. He reminded us that if we’re serious about protecting rural life, food systems and cultural identity, then green thinking has to become more than a hobby, it has to be how we live.</p><figure id="figure-r5uqhzjl7pmbjdt4xg" class=""><img id="r5uqhzjl7pmbjdt4xg" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/37jR6Q9zQaerolbBpCmBLzy7skQyksrQOvugKXSWUVUuaFPo3aL1fDoBfFdHssOl.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/37jR6Q9zQaerolbBpCmBLzy7skQyksrQOvugKXSWUVUuaFPo3aL1fDoBfFdHssOl.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Bloom Gets Right</h3><p>Maybe the reason Bloom works is because it doesn’t talk down to you. It doesn’t pretend everyone can build a €50,000 eco-garden in their back garden. Instead, it offers ideas, some big, some small, that can fit real lives. A rainwater barrel, a compost heap, a wild corner left unmown, a dinner made from leftovers. It’s about inviting change, not imposing it.</p><p>Sustainability can be intimidating, especially when you’re up to your neck in the day-to-day. But what Bloom 2025 proved is that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. It just has to be real. And reachable.</p><figure id="figure-fhpd8lc47cmbjduiqz" class=""><img id="fhpd8lc47cmbjduiqz" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1673243758/photo/wood-sawdust-with-bird-droppings-in-a-bucket-close-up-using-chicken-farm-waste-as-fertilizer.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ON56_fmsImJUV_WQC8PVgKR7W98hdU7Lt-gUVTdHK3A=" alt="Wood sawdust with bird droppings in a bucket close-up. Using chicken farm waste as fertilizer for the vegetable garden" title="Wood sawdust with bird droppings in a bucket close-up. Using chicken farm waste as fertilizer for the vegetable garden" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1673243758/photo/wood-sawdust-with-bird-droppings-in-a-bucket-close-up-using-chicken-farm-waste-as-fertilizer.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ON56_fmsImJUV_WQC8PVgKR7W98hdU7Lt-gUVTdHK3A=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>As Bloom packs up for another year, the flowers might wilt, but the ideas don’t. What we saw at Bloom 2025 was a country full of potential: farmers, growers, kids, innovators, cooks, all trying to make sense of sustainability in their own way. And doing a fantastic job of it.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Bloom 2025: Where Gardens Meet Green Thinking

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>You can feel it in the mart yard and hear it over the wire. Talk to any beef farmer in Ireland today and it won’t be long before the same question crops up, "Is there still a future in sucklers, or is the game shifting to dairy beef?"</p><p>It’s not a simple answer, and there’s no magic formula. But it’s clear we’re standing in the middle of a quiet transition, and like all turning tides, not everyone’s sure which way to row.</p><figure id="figure-mipmssd98mbj6dzx2" class=""><img id="mipmssd98mbj6dzx2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1SJumZhKj6gUVzoSw1McszjTAKX3W0SFRy2tiJOuG2BpaHLuulO1gFL99jsNICWq.jpeg" alt="cattle farm" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1SJumZhKj6gUVzoSw1McszjTAKX3W0SFRy2tiJOuG2BpaHLuulO1gFL99jsNICWq.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>The Suckler Decline – More Than Just Numbers</h3><p>Let’s not pretend this is breaking news. The national suckler herd has been decreasing for years, down to around 745,000 cows now, which is over 300,000 fewer than we had a decade ago. It’s happening farm by farm, stock sale by stock sale. Not always with a bang, sometimes with a quiet final calving and a gate that doesn’t get shut again.</p><p>Why? Because the sums don’t add up like they used to. You can be working 7 days a week, calving heifers in sideways rain, and still struggling to clear €200 a week after costs. That’s not a livelihood, that’s a legacy you’re trying to hold on to.</p><p>But don’t write the system off just yet. Good suckler-bred weanlings still get snapped up fast, especially if they’ve got frame, power, and come from farmers who know their breeding inside out. The demand is still there for the right animal, it’s more so the middle that’s getting squeezed.</p><figure id="figure-cy74jd0vcmbj6uhq3" class=""><img id="cy74jd0vcmbj6uhq3" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2166285519/photo/cows-grazing-on-lush-green-pasture-under-clear-blue-sky-in-daylight.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=vfPkozL45tXpdJqcNWoNhrSRpjh8llr2OLwG6gJw47s=" alt="Cows Grazing on Lush Green Pasture Under Clear Blue Sky in Daylight" title="Cows Grazing on Lush Green Pasture Under Clear Blue Sky in Daylight" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2166285519/photo/cows-grazing-on-lush-green-pasture-under-clear-blue-sky-in-daylight.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=vfPkozL45tXpdJqcNWoNhrSRpjh8llr2OLwG6gJw47s=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3>Dairy Calves Taking Centre Stage</h3><p>At the same time, dairy calf-to-beef has quietly become more than a side hustle. With dairy cow numbers up nearly 500,000 in the past 15 years, there’s a ready pipeline of calves. More farmers are seeing the value in taking these animals on and doing a proper job of rearing them, especially where there’s good grass and a head for figures.</p><p>DairyBeef500 has shown that with solid management, you can bring home margins north of €1,300 per hectare. Obviously, this is not easy money, you need to be sharp on health, grazing and finishing, but it’s real, doable, and increasingly attractive.</p><p>And here’s the clincher: it fits. It fits into systems where time and money are tight. It fits with our climate goals. And for younger farmers looking to make a start, it fits the bank manager’s appetite better than buying in suckler cows at €1,800 a head.</p><figure id="figure-i4r6f0nq0dmbj6y4ow" class=""><img id="i4r6f0nq0dmbj6y4ow" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/149209362/photo/freisian-daisy-cows.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=JgeriZQ1qfR5SAZ1ZwBfHRXiE9B2PbvFseFpiM7iD6s=" alt="Freisian daisy cows" title="Freisian daisy cows" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/149209362/photo/freisian-daisy-cows.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=JgeriZQ1qfR5SAZ1ZwBfHRXiE9B2PbvFseFpiM7iD6s=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Counting the Cost</h3><p>Nobody wants to feel like they’re abandoning tradition. But at the same time, you have to keep the lights on.</p><p>The Beef Welfare Scheme will pay €75 per calf, up to €3,375 per herd, which helps suckler farmers breathe a little easier. And if you’re finishing cattle, there’s decent value in the system right now, with weanling prices up 2% and store cattle up 4% on last year. But unless you’re hitting top-end premiums, it’s hard to make it all stretch.</p><p>On the dairy side, margins can be stronger, and the scale is more flexible. You don’t need to own a hundred acres. You just need to manage the ones you’ve got well. That’s the quiet appeal that’s pulling more farmers across.</p><figure id="figure-tj9auonktmbj71ofz" class=""><img id="tj9auonktmbj71ofz" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1301792115/photo/cows-on-a-sunny-hill-grazing-grass.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=xF0ipBA9jDJ4mYjBmzLDeC3C9i_1hywiAEFrYjSaI3o=" alt="Cows on a sunny hill grazing grass" title="Cows on a sunny hill grazing grass" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1301792115/photo/cows-on-a-sunny-hill-grazing-grass.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=xF0ipBA9jDJ4mYjBmzLDeC3C9i_1hywiAEFrYjSaI3o=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Sustainability and Consumer Preferences</h3><p>Now here’s something most lads don’t talk about at the mart, but it matters. Walk into any supermarket in Dublin or Hamburg and look at the beef labels. It’s all about sustainability, animal welfare, and carbon footprints. And believe it or not, people are willing to pay for it.</p><p>A 2024 study by PWC highlighted that over 60% of consumers say they’d spend more for sustainable food. Nearly half are happy to pay up to 10% extra for meat that ticks the right boxes. And 84% of meat buyers say animal welfare is a dealbreaker. A further study showed that a one-point boost in welfare standards could push prices up by 16.4% in some regions. That’s real leverage, if you can prove your system delivers the goods.</p><p>Dairy calf-to-beef systems, especially when grass-based, line up better with that message. They’re lower on emissions per kilo, more traceable, and align well with the climate goals Brussels keeps pushing. This isn't about greenwashing, it’s about being able to say that the way we rear our cattle actually fits the future.</p><figure id="figure-rm5w6j6animbj780bz" class=""><img id="rm5w6j6animbj780bz" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2187553919/photo/a-cows-on-a-green-pasture-on-a-sunny-spring-day-grazing-cows-on-a-dairy-farm-cattle-irish.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=73VdLLW5izXafeC_jqJ_--HtHjU9DQtYujDtPKoUmeA=" alt="A cows on a green pasture on a sunny spring day. Grazing cows on a dairy farm. Cattle. Irish agriculture, agricultural landscape. Animal husbandry. Herd of cow on grass field" title="A cows on a green pasture on a sunny spring day. Grazing cows on a dairy farm. Cattle. Irish agriculture, agricultural landscape. Animal husbandry. Herd of cow on grass field" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2187553919/photo/a-cows-on-a-green-pasture-on-a-sunny-spring-day-grazing-cows-on-a-dairy-farm-cattle-irish.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=73VdLLW5izXafeC_jqJ_--HtHjU9DQtYujDtPKoUmeA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Where the Wind Is Blowing</h3><p>Step back and look at Europe and beyond. In the UK, the prime cattle kill is forecasted to fall 5% this year. Across the EU, suckler herds are expected to shrink by another 7.5% by 2035. It’s not just us, this is something that's happening everywhere.</p><p>Retailers want predictability, processors want uniform carcasses, and policymakers want emissions down. That’s the direction of travel, whether we like it or not.</p><p>That doesn’t mean sucklers are dead in the water, but it does mean they’ll likely become more niche, geared towards quality weanling production, or tied into premium, high-welfare schemes. The space for middle-ground suckler operations is getting tighter by the year.</p><figure id="figure-blfdqsaef5mbj7bo6p" class=""><img id="blfdqsaef5mbj7bo6p" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/538355472/photo/shopping-for-raw-red-meat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a5NXVuGjbWYFgqr3SVAistCPDySVode41qRDQNbcZdk=" alt="Shopping for raw red meat" title="Shopping for raw red meat" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/538355472/photo/shopping-for-raw-red-meat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a5NXVuGjbWYFgqr3SVAistCPDySVode41qRDQNbcZdk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>So What Should You Do?</h3><p>Every farm is different, but if you’re standing in the yard wondering what your next move should be, ask yourself a few honest questions:</p><ul><li>Are your margins where they need to be?</li><li>Do you know what your buyers want next year—not just this year?</li><li>Are you set up to chase schemes and get paid for good practice?</li><li>And most of all: is the system working for you, or are you working to keep the system afloat?</li></ul><p><br>Because whatever direction the beef game heads in, it has to work for you, your land, and your life.</p><figure id="figure-jslk1bc7svmbj7ekyw" class=""><img id="jslk1bc7svmbj7ekyw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/889095758/photo/wow-this-food-actually-tastes-good-this-time.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=rfqAKMVwfSOSF_A6dV_K_12Kz7b2Q0nALbEknRwZFsU=" alt="Wow this food actually tastes good this time" title="Wow this food actually tastes good this time" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/889095758/photo/wow-this-food-actually-tastes-good-this-time.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=rfqAKMVwfSOSF_A6dV_K_12Kz7b2Q0nALbEknRwZFsU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This isn’t about picking sides. It’s about survival, strategy, and staying ahead of the curve. Suckler beef has a proud place in Irish farming, but so does adapting. And if dairy calves can bring good beef, good margins, and a fairer balance of life and work, then maybe it’s not the wrong road. Just a different one.</p><p>Wherever you're standing now, whether you’re calving a 12-year-old cow in a storm or bottle-feeding a March-born Friesian in a poly-tunnel, know this: the future’s still wide open, and as always, it’ll be shaped by the people who show up and put the work in.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Suckler Beef vs. Dairy Calves: Market Trends and Future Outlook

Abandoned farm house in the hills on dark stormy day

<h3>Introduction&nbsp;</h3><p>You don’t need a structural engineer to tell you when a shed’s had its day. Maybe the roof’s rusted through, the doors don’t close right, and the gutters haven’t seen a decent clean since the last time Ireland qualified for a world cup. You know the feeling, walking through the yard and quietly avoiding eye contact with the walls. But that building might have housed three generations, calved countless heifers, or held up hay back when it was cut with a scythe. It’s more than just stone and steel. It’s memory.</p><p>Still, sentiment doesn’t stop a roof from collapsing. And for a lot of farmers now, the question is this: can I afford to fix this place—or is it time to start again?</p><figure id="figure-55cdenzrtfmbi7offe"><img id="55cdenzrtfmbi7offe" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1767362958/photo/derelict-farmhouse-and-farm-yard.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=jicsV-6J5oCavuEhO3Ff2knwPkZrhCcckbypLtBA7T0=" alt="Derelict farmhouse and farm yard" title="Derelict farmhouse and farm yard" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1767362958/photo/derelict-farmhouse-and-farm-yard.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=jicsV-6J5oCavuEhO3Ff2knwPkZrhCcckbypLtBA7T0=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Looking Around, Honestly</h3><p>Before diving into repairs or reconstructions, it's crucial to evaluate the condition of your existing structures. Teagasc, Ireland's Agriculture and Food Development Authority, provides advisory services to assist farmers in assessing their farm buildings. Their experts can offer guidance on safety standards, structural integrity, and potential improvements.</p><p>For instance, if you're considering conserving a traditional farm building, Teagasc offers insights into best practices and potential funding avenues.</p><figure id="figure-8xd5h0b26gmbi8gz1v" class=""><img id="8xd5h0b26gmbi8gz1v" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/472580830/photo/farm-in-the-burren-nature-reserve-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Yk1w8Kdx7n7-GdUiNtXxKMfD0EGpEx8FxvaN4zcGStQ=" alt="Farm in the Burren nature reserve, Ireland" title="Farm in the Burren nature reserve, Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/472580830/photo/farm-in-the-burren-nature-reserve-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Yk1w8Kdx7n7-GdUiNtXxKMfD0EGpEx8FxvaN4zcGStQ=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Grants and Schemes to Consider</h3><p><strong>1. Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme</strong><br>Managed by the Heritage Council in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, this scheme supports the conservation of traditional farm buildings and related structures. Grants cover up to 75% of the cost, with a maximum of €30,000. Eligible structures include roofs, walls, structural repairs, windows, doors, and historic yard surfaces.</p><p><strong>2. Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS)</strong><br>Administered by local authorities, BHIS offers grants ranging from €2,500 to €50,000 for the repair and conservation of protected structures. In 2025, the scheme allocated €8.1 million to 651 projects across Ireland.</p><p><strong>3. Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3)</strong><br>TAMS 3 encompasses several sub-schemes aimed at modernising farm infrastructure:</p><ul><li><strong>Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme (FSCIS):</strong> Offers a 60% grant rate with a €90,000 investment ceiling for safety-related improvements.</li><li><strong>Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS): </strong>Provides grants for slurry storage and animal housing enhancements.</li><li><strong>Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS): </strong>Supports the installation of solar panels, promoting renewable energy use on farms.</li></ul><p>For a comprehensive list of TAMS 3 schemes and their respective details, visit the Department of Agriculture's official page.</p><figure id="figure-nokrs3pclbmbi8iu2v" class=""><img id="nokrs3pclbmbi8iu2v" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1483018483/photo/abandoned-property-or-house-on-arranmore-island-republic-of-ireland-county-donegal-derelict.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=e4SPbaWG9ywo-U7xYkUV7EuipU1JDcXocj64_4Ui8Zg=" alt="Abandoned property or house on Arranmore island, Republic of Ireland County Donegal. Derelict or destitute home shows Irish rural depopulation problem - Arranmore island, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland" title="Abandoned property or house on Arranmore island, Republic of Ireland County Donegal. Derelict or destitute home shows Irish rural depopulation problem - Arranmore island, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1483018483/photo/abandoned-property-or-house-on-arranmore-island-republic-of-ireland-county-donegal-derelict.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=e4SPbaWG9ywo-U7xYkUV7EuipU1JDcXocj64_4Ui8Zg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>When to Repair and When to Rebuild</h3><p>Deciding whether to patch up a building or start from scratch isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about safety, cost, and practicality.</p><p><strong>Structural Integrity:</strong> Buildings with rotting timbers, cracks, or sagging roofs are more than eyesores—they’re hazards. In 2023, over 40% of inspected farmyards had structural issues flagged as critical risks. If the foundations are going, it may be safer—and smarter—to rebuild.</p><p><strong>Cost Implications:</strong> A quick repair might run €5,000, but if you're doing that every few years, it adds up. Replacing a typical four-bay steel shed costs around €25,000–€35,000. TAMS 3 can cover up to 60% of this if it’s for livestock or slurry storage—bringing costs down significantly.</p><p><strong>Heritage Value:</strong> If you’ve got an old stone shed or byre with character, it might be eligible for the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme. In 2024, more than 90 farms received up to €30,000 each to restore traditional structures—keeping rural heritage alive.</p><p>A professional assessment from Teagasc or a conservation advisor can help weigh the options. Sometimes a good fix is enough. Other times, starting fresh saves time, money, and headaches down the line.</p><figure id="figure-mzfm03h88imbi8k66r" class=""><img id="mzfm03h88imbi8k66r" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/172912235/photo/ireland-series.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=YL2Jz7lYUJ6CtJ3d2JgkZ67xtmIb7LmtH_kRDAh_FW4=" alt="Ireland Series" title="Ireland Series" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/172912235/photo/ireland-series.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=YL2Jz7lYUJ6CtJ3d2JgkZ67xtmIb7LmtH_kRDAh_FW4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Steps to Take</h3><p>1. <strong>Assessment:</strong> Engage with Teagasc or a qualified consultant to evaluate your farm structures.<br>2. <strong>Research Grants:</strong> Identify which grants or schemes align with your needs.<br>3. <strong>Application:</strong> Prepare and submit applications, ensuring all required documentation is in order.<br>4. <strong>Implementation:</strong> Once approved, commence the repair or reconstruction work, adhering to the guidelines stipulated by the grant providers.</p><h3>Useful Resources</h3><p>1. Teagasc Advisory Services: <a href="http://www.teagasc.ie" data-mce-href="http://www.teagasc.ie">www.teagasc.ie</a>&nbsp;<br>2. Heritage Council – Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme: <a href="http://www.heritagecouncil.ie" data-mce-href="http://www.heritagecouncil.ie">www.heritagecouncil.ie</a>&nbsp;<br>3. Department of Agriculture – TAMS 3: <a href="http://www.gov.ie" data-mce-href="http://www.gov.ie">www.gov.ie</a>&nbsp;<br>4. Built Heritage Investment Scheme: <a href="http://www.gov.ie" data-mce-href="http://www.gov.ie">www.gov.ie</a>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Reviving a Farmyard: Grants, Repairs, and Strategic Decisions

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Farming in Ireland has always meant more than just producing food. It’s identity, memory, place. You’ll hear people talk about “working the land” like it’s something sacred, and for good reason. The fields aren’t just green patches, they hold your name, your father’s stories, and your mother’s warnings about east winds and stubborn heifers.</p><p>The land is part of us. Even when the cheques don’t add up and the work breaks your back, the roots run deep.</p><figure id="figure-auk6q1mb4qmbi5i99q"><img id="auk6q1mb4qmbi5i99q" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/964493270/photo/rolling-scottish-countryside.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=XO6Dk5ly4g1X5GgTn78gQRXqwL9CEkfqQTwzamf2lTI=" alt="Rolling Scottish Countryside" title="Rolling Scottish Countryside" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/964493270/photo/rolling-scottish-countryside.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=XO6Dk5ly4g1X5GgTn78gQRXqwL9CEkfqQTwzamf2lTI=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Land Means More Than Acreage</h3><p>Ask someone in Mayo, Kerry or Cavan where they’re from, and chances are they’ll name the townland before the town. These aren’t just map points, they're mini histories. Land divisions older than the parish, carried in names that tell you where the ash trees grew, where the stream ran strong, or who lived there five generations back.</p><p>And that inheritance isn’t just legal, it’s emotional. A 10-acre plot in west Clare might never make you rich, but if it’s been in the family since Famine times, it’s priceless.</p><p>You see it at auctions too. The fella who outbids the neighbour not because he needs the land, but because it “should stay in the family.” Or the daughter who moves home to run the place because no one else will. Farming is one of the last parts of Irish life where place and pride still walk hand in hand.</p><figure id="figure-asui24t4dombi6gbmy" class=""><img id="asui24t4dombi6gbmy" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/874139350/photo/early-autumn-countryside-morning-northern-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=r8Zz1_msjramDLEUSqtC7bjNx805q0y-ACQdLtu3DsY=" alt="Early Autumn countryside morning,Northern Ireland" title="Early Autumn countryside morning,Northern Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/874139350/photo/early-autumn-countryside-morning-northern-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=r8Zz1_msjramDLEUSqtC7bjNx805q0y-ACQdLtu3DsY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Language You Feel in Your Bones</h3><p>You don’t need to speak fluent Gaeilge to hear the Irish in farming. It’s in the way people speak of land “resting,” of “giving it back to itself” for a year. It’s in the placenames, like An Poll Mór (The Big Hole), or Cnocán na gCaorach (The Little Hill of the Sheep). These aren’t just pretty turns of phrase, they’re working language, functional poetry.</p><p>Even the Irish words for farming tools have a certain heft to them. The “sleán” for cutting turf. The “tuairim” used to guess a cow’s due date. In many Gaeltacht areas, Irish remains the working language of the land. You’ll still hear people in Connemara or Dún Chaoin shouting directions in Irish while loading cattle, or cursing the wind with a fluency schoolbooks could only dream of.</p><p>It’s living language, not for show, but for work. And where it still exists, it holds something precious.</p><figure id="figure-s4mpfq6a2imbi6j1ij" class=""><img id="s4mpfq6a2imbi6j1ij" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1085374700/photo/do-you-speak-irish.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=owkachUEDYdZPqA_tLmRPNdw6ByXspUUvAZ_1RNpINY=" alt="Do you speak Irish (An bhfuil Gaeilge agat)" title="Do you speak Irish (An bhfuil Gaeilge agat)" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1085374700/photo/do-you-speak-irish.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=owkachUEDYdZPqA_tLmRPNdw6ByXspUUvAZ_1RNpINY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farming Isn’t Just Work—It’s Rhythm</h3><p>Remember when the whole parish turned out for the silage? Or when the threshing machine did the rounds and the day ended with sandwiches, pints and someone singing “The Fields of Athenry”? Those weren’t just jobs getting done, they were cultural moments.</p><p>Even now, the agri-calendar still underpins life in the countryside. The Ploughing Championships bring in over 300,000 people each year. That’s not just a trade show, it’s a social gathering, a tradition, a statement that rural life still matters.</p><p>Then there’s the mart. You’ll find more local news, matchmaking and philosophy in an hour at the ringside in Tuam or Bandon than in any national paper. There’s a cadence to it all, the low talk, the handshakes, the quick mental maths before the hammer falls. These aren’t just traditions, they’re community glue.</p><figure id="figure-rik2tsxbc5mbi6kxgt" class=""><img id="rik2tsxbc5mbi6kxgt" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/183050455/photo/cattle-market.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kEN_OLqhcTgzsEofSOiz2HEG7qhP9Y8jXkbSdh-AF60=" alt="cattle market" title="cattle market" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/183050455/photo/cattle-market.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kEN_OLqhcTgzsEofSOiz2HEG7qhP9Y8jXkbSdh-AF60=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>More Than a Job</h3><p>When a farmer says “I’m only part-time now,” they often say it with guilt, as though they’re letting the side down. But even those driving buses, working in shops or fixing tractors still call themselves farmers first. Because it’s not just about what you do, it's who you are.</p><p>Look at farm sheds: they’re museums of memory. Old gates kept “in case they’re needed.” Rusted cream cans no one can throw out. The half-finished job that got paused because of calving, and somehow never got finished. It’s all part of it.</p><p>And even the quiet moments, bringing in turf from the bog, folding meal bags, walking the field at dusk with the dog, those are as much about mental grounding as physical work. Farming shapes how you see time, how you raise your children, even how you bury your dead. It’s cultural, through and through.</p><figure id="figure-xxkrdt8w8mbi6plzt" class=""><img id="xxkrdt8w8mbi6plzt" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/969653376/photo/farmyard-and-sheds.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=OTrueJ8BF0e6Oo7iIHy0bUyOMx_7vaVLRFVFMJQGuIo=" alt="farmyard and sheds" title="farmyard and sheds" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/969653376/photo/farmyard-and-sheds.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=OTrueJ8BF0e6Oo7iIHy0bUyOMx_7vaVLRFVFMJQGuIo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What’s at Stake</h3><p>When the smaller farms vanish, we lose more than output. We lose storytellers. We lose field names. We lose the way Granny used to mark sheep with red raddle and call it “painting them for the fair.” We lose the reasons why a stretch of boreen was called “the Priest’s Turn” or “Maggie’s Wall”. We risk a countryside that’s functional, but hollow. Productive, but heartless.</p><p>That’s not to say things shouldn’t change, of course they should, but we need to mind what matters along the way. Not just preserve it in glass cases, but let it breathe.</p><figure id="figure-46zt5pl66mbi6roqh" class=""><img id="46zt5pl66mbi6roqh" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/910581600/photo/antrim-coast-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=225UmEA28ciWL2qQXXyrBIoH1c_vrGFWemSLYqHuULE=" alt="Antrim Coast, Ireland" title="Antrim Coast, Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/910581600/photo/antrim-coast-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=225UmEA28ciWL2qQXXyrBIoH1c_vrGFWemSLYqHuULE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>In the rush to modernise, digitise, and monetise farming, we can’t forget what’s already here—living, breathing culture under our feet. Every laneway walked, every beast reared, every story told at the mart, it all adds up to something worth holding onto.</p><p>Farming in Ireland is more than economy. It’s memory. It’s language. It’s a way of seeing the world. And it’s worth fighting for, not just for what it produces, but for what it protects.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

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