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An agricultural drone sprays crops in the early morning sunlight. Advanced technology in farming, automation, and innovation improving productivity in agriculture.

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>There was a time when drones were seen as a gimmick, something to capture the silage being drawn home or a good overhead shot of tidy tramlines. But that view is fast changing. Across Ireland, more farmers are realising that these little flying machines can do far more than take nice pictures. They’re saving time, improving safety, and helping farmers make sharper decisions about how they manage their land.</p><p>With the cost of inputs climbing and the weather becoming harder to predict, technology that saves both fuel and guesswork is starting to make real sense.</p><figure id="figure-jqsddm9afmhxdxzwb"><img id="jqsddm9afmhxdxzwb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1f2Opw1HFU0WIMFc7XPjVv29mpfQ3QHDALaejpML5BjeGyX9Tav5MMYDwTFNJe5p.jpeg" alt="drone farming" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1f2Opw1HFU0WIMFc7XPjVv29mpfQ3QHDALaejpML5BjeGyX9Tav5MMYDwTFNJe5p.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Drones in the Field: Seeing More, Sooner</h3><p>On Irish farms, drones are quietly becoming the extra pair of eyes that spot what a person on the ground can’t. They’re being used to check grass growth, identify soil and crop stress, and even map problem areas before they spread.</p><p>Teagasc trials have shown that drone imagery can detect nitrogen or disease stress in cereal crops two to three weeks earlier than the naked eye. That kind of lead time can mean the difference between saving a crop or losing yield.</p><p>For dairy and beef farms, the same technology is being used to measure grass covers. Teagasc-supported work in Cork and Limerick found drone-based measurements to be within 7% of plate meter readings, close enough to be practical. For farmers juggling fragmented land or rented blocks, this kind of accuracy can make grass management far more efficient.</p><figure id="figure-caw4mdw8pjmhxe2bae" class=""><img id="caw4mdw8pjmhxe2bae" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2224901886/photo/industrial-drone-flying-in-clear-blue-sky-agricultural-drone-flying-for-crop-monitoring.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=T9d155MsiyxqroS4MYgSk68_LBKvclj7Tu3-mkUcMUk=" alt="Industrial drone flying in clear blue sky. Agricultural drone flying for crop monitoring." title="Industrial drone flying in clear blue sky. Agricultural drone flying for crop monitoring." 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/2224901886/photo/industrial-drone-flying-in-clear-blue-sky-agricultural-drone-flying-for-crop-monitoring.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=T9d155MsiyxqroS4MYgSk68_LBKvclj7Tu3-mkUcMUk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Checking Stock: Safely and Quickly</h3><p>It’s not just tillage farmers seeing the benefit. Beef and sheep farmers, especially those on hilly or broken ground, are finding drones a real timesaver.</p><p>The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reports that farm vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of deaths and serious injuries on Irish farms, with over 40 ATV-related incidents recorded between 2020 and 2024. A drone can do a job in minutes that might otherwise mean a risky spin across wet ground on a quad.</p><p>Farmers in counties like Mayo, Kerry and Galway are using drones fitted with zoom or thermal cameras to check livestock, find missing stock, or monitor calving from a distance. Some say it saves them two to four hours a weekduring the busiest times, and more importantly, reduces the risk of injury.</p><p>It’s not about replacing eyes on the ground, it’s about cutting down the unnecessary runs and working a bit smarter.</p><figure id="figure-66muk7n46amhxe3qwd" class=""><img id="66muk7n46amhxe3qwd" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2231604203/photo/drone-view-of-an-old-farm-house-seen-in-lush-pasture.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=NGj1wHdqwrztQbv9Vkq2zKByoftI1V1-nqmKW8fOts8=" alt="Drone view of an old farm house seen in lush pasture." title="Drone view of an old farm house seen in lush 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/2231604203/photo/drone-view-of-an-old-farm-house-seen-in-lush-pasture.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=NGj1wHdqwrztQbv9Vkq2zKByoftI1V1-nqmKW8fOts8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Spotting Drainage Issues Before They Cost You</h3><p>If 2025’s start taught us anything, it’s that heavy ground and blocked shores can undo months of good management in a few wet weeks.</p><p>Using high-resolution or infrared cameras, drones can pick out wet spots and compaction before they become visible to the eye. Irish contractors offering aerial drainage surveys have found they can identify 15–25% more blockages than manual checks alone.</p><p>That kind of insight isn’t just for convenience, it’s saving money. A few blocked drains on silage ground can easily cost a farmer hundreds of euro in lost yield or delayed grazing. Drones are also helping farmers gather data for BISS applications, slurry storage compliance, and buffer-zone mapping, often making inspections a far smoother process.</p><figure id="figure-arflr5htemmhxe5b6b" class=""><img id="arflr5htemmhxe5b6b" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2198600128/photo/drone-at-the-vineyard-ripe-chardonnay-grapes-hanging-on-vine-at-the-time-of-grape-harvest.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=hbmEEVUxQbo-wTDbDxHTICg7KyKtd6BZgaOjuMvF5w0=" alt="Drone at the vineyard, ripe Chardonnay grapes hanging on vine at the time of grape harvest" title="Drone at the vineyard, ripe Chardonnay grapes hanging on vine at the time of grape harvest" 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/2198600128/photo/drone-at-the-vineyard-ripe-chardonnay-grapes-hanging-on-vine-at-the-time-of-grape-harvest.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=hbmEEVUxQbo-wTDbDxHTICg7KyKtd6BZgaOjuMvF5w0=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Precision Spraying: Still on the Horizon</h3><p>Ireland hasn’t yet legalised full drone spraying, but it’s getting closer. The Department of Agriculture and Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) are currently reviewing pilot projects for targeted applications.</p><p>Elsewhere in Europe, countries like Spain and France are already using spraying drones to reduce chemical use by 20–30% without losing yield. For Irish conditions, especially soft or fragmented ground, that could be a game-changer.</p><p>In the meantime, many farmers are using drones to generate fertiliser “prescription maps,” showing exactly where nutrients are needed. It’s not just better for the pocket, it helps with compliance too, cutting down on unnecessary spreading.</p><figure id="figure-2yhiyglxikmhxe9a8x" class=""><img id="2yhiyglxikmhxe9a8x" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2215493568/photo/high-resolution-photographic-images-of-industrial-drones-spraying-drugs-on-rice-paddies-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=3zXwonPw2LdZyMZmS6UcDF3qgtsuzSGGsf7UO4v03zU=" alt="High-resolution photographic images of industrial drones spraying drugs on rice paddies and fields" title="High-resolution photographic images of industrial drones spraying drugs on rice paddies and fields" 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/2215493568/photo/high-resolution-photographic-images-of-industrial-drones-spraying-drugs-on-rice-paddies-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=3zXwonPw2LdZyMZmS6UcDF3qgtsuzSGGsf7UO4v03zU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What It Costs: and When It Pays Off</h3><p>Not every farm will go out and buy a drone straight away, but the numbers are starting to make sense. A solid, GPS-stabilised drone suitable for mapping costs about €1,200–€1,800, while professional agricultural drones with multispectral sensors come in around €5,000–€9,000.</p><p>For those who prefer to outsource, hiring a licensed drone operator costs €10–€15 per acre, depending on detail. The savings, especially for larger farms, can repay that in a season or two through reduced inputs and more efficient management.</p><p>Under TAMS 3, drones themselves aren’t directly grant-aided, but precision-farming equipment, like GPS spreaders and nutrient-mapping tools, qualify for up to 60% funding. For many, that’s the bridge between wanting to try new tech and being able to afford it.</p><figure id="figure-eobi9azq6lmhxeauuf" class=""><img id="eobi9azq6lmhxeauuf" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1971890215/photo/team-of-engineer-specialists-pilot-drone-on-construction-site.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=pzVVo-JQE4ygDt3wDBtS9F8VKbXHKoEiJ3Bq3HQAm2o=" alt="Team of Engineer Specialists Pilot Drone on Construction Site." title="Team of Engineer Specialists Pilot Drone on Construction Site." 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/1971890215/photo/team-of-engineer-specialists-pilot-drone-on-construction-site.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=pzVVo-JQE4ygDt3wDBtS9F8VKbXHKoEiJ3Bq3HQAm2o=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Rules and Training: Not as Complicated as You Think</h3><p>If your drone weighs more than 250 grams, it must be registered with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). Anyone using one for commercial or professional work, such as spraying or surveying, also needs a qualification and insurance.</p><p>The IAA has made the process relatively straightforward, and Teagasc, along with several Irish UAV training centres, now run short certification courses, typically priced between €400 and €700. Once completed, farmers are cleared to operate safely and legally without fear of breaking aviation rules.</p><figure id="figure-3stjltw77mhxei3ea" class=""><img id="3stjltw77mhxei3ea" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2240270585/photo/aerial-drone-view-of-shannon-river-and-countryside-rural-irish-landscape-clonmacnoise.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ioTKqS10J3-p_2zNHgCnhdj-kP9L62D2FjFGF4tFXoY=" alt="Aerial drone view of Shannon river and countryside rural irish landscape, Clonmacnoise monastery ruins and small marina with vacation river boats, county Offaly, Ireland" title="Aerial drone view of Shannon river and countryside rural irish landscape, Clonmacnoise monastery ruins and small marina with vacation river boats, county Offaly, 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/2240270585/photo/aerial-drone-view-of-shannon-river-and-countryside-rural-irish-landscape-clonmacnoise.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ioTKqS10J3-p_2zNHgCnhdj-kP9L62D2FjFGF4tFXoY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Next Step: From Data to Decisions</h3><p>Irish researchers are already taking drone use to the next level. Teagasc and UCD projects are exploring how drones can help measure soil carbon levels, biodiversity corridors, and even grass growth rates to support future carbon-credit or eco-scheme payments.</p><p>Industry projections suggest that by 2028, around one in three Irish farms will use some form of drone data, whether through contractors, co-ops, or private ownership.</p><p>The technology is evolving quickly, but the idea behind it is simple: better information means better decisions.</p><figure id="figure-akc6991q86mhxej7fy" class=""><img id="akc6991q86mhxej7fy" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/537635746/photo/flying-drone-and-green-wheat-field.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=v35RPyAM_yfr8zKnRZoXDwYuBDpxZEcKhdzxpC7B49I=" alt="Flying drone and green wheat field" title="Flying drone and green wheat 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/537635746/photo/flying-drone-and-green-wheat-field.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=v35RPyAM_yfr8zKnRZoXDwYuBDpxZEcKhdzxpC7B49I=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Drones won’t milk the cows or mend the fence, but they’ll help you make better calls about when and where to act. They can show you where water’s lying, where grass is lagging, or where you’re losing time driving land to check stock.</p><p>For Irish farmers, it’s not about shiny gadgets. It’s about staying a step ahead in an industry where margins are tight and weather’s never guaranteed.</p><p>In the years ahead, the farms that embrace these small efficiencies will likely be the ones that thrive. Because in modern farming, seeing your land from 200 feet above might just give you the edge you need to manage it better from the ground.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

The Agri-Drone Revolution: Transforming Irish Farming Practices

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>After two quiet years, bird flu has made its way back into Ireland’s poultry sector. Two commercial turkey farms, one in Carlow and another in Meath, have now confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). It’s unwelcome news, especially heading into winter, and it has triggered a nationwide housing order for all poultry and captive birds.</p><p>For most farmers, this feels familiar. Anyone who went through the 2021–2022 wave knows how disruptive even a handful of cases can be. But this time, the response has been fast, clear, and thankfully early in the season.</p><p>Here’s what’s actually happening, and what it means for Irish farms.</p><figure id="figure-4lg3pgaw58mhtjijgr"><img id="4lg3pgaw58mhtjijgr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/190CMXiFzv4N4B329wG5YI0EqFI8OEVYuk7dwkExbYL0bDOB1AB00iAIS6YaIaN0.jpeg" alt="bird flu" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/190CMXiFzv4N4B329wG5YI0EqFI8OEVYuk7dwkExbYL0bDOB1AB00iAIS6YaIaN0.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Where Things Stand Now<br></h3><p>Let’s pause on the facts, the things farmers need to know, not the noise:</p><ul><li>Ireland has confirmed two poultry outbreaks, both involving H5N1.</li><li>These are the first cases in commercial flocks since late 2022.</li><li>A nationwide housing order is now in effect, meaning all flocks; big, small, commercial or backyard, must be kept indoors or fully covered.</li><li>Across Ireland, we’ve seen over 40 wild-bird positives in 2025, a sign the virus has been circulating for some time.</li><li>Across Europe, activity has picked up too, with well over 150 detections between early summer and autumn.</li><li>Public health officials still consider the risk to people low, but the rule remains: don’t touch sick or dead wild birds.</li><li>Northern Ireland has introduced near-identical controls, which helps keep the island aligned.<br></li></ul><p>It’s not a crisis, but it is a situation to take seriously.</p><figure id="figure-y0idjd0593mhtjmucu" class=""><img id="y0idjd0593mhtjmucu" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2185449225/photo/bird-flu.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=CCLpMuLUvl9W2LizbWHPzLJ8uiw67U852V6PM7wPpCs=" alt="bird flu" title="bird flu" 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/2185449225/photo/bird-flu.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=CCLpMuLUvl9W2LizbWHPzLJ8uiw67U852V6PM7wPpCs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What the Housing Order Actually Means<br></h3><p>The housing order applies to every poultry keeper in the country, regardless of flock size. Backyard keepers sometimes assume these rules don’t apply to them, they do.</p><p>In practice, you now need to:</p><ul><li>House birds indoors or under a fully covered run.</li><li>Keep feed, water, and bedding protected from wild birds.</li><li>Use footbaths at entry points.</li><li>Keep equipment and personnel movements to a minimum.</li><li>Maintain solid rodent control.</li><li>Separate waterfowl from other poultry entirely.</li></ul><p>Larger flocks (350 birds or more) have extra requirements around shed zoning, vehicle control and equipment management. But the basics matter just as much for a dozen laying hens as they do for 30,000 broilers.</p><figure id="figure-7oc05f3ebmhtjould" class=""><img id="7oc05f3ebmhtjould" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2240911649/photo/large-indoor-poultry-farms.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=q08czsz_LpI5A_vHHsV8x4xVr0MXz1gOLrow-7P04Vk=" alt="Large indoor poultry farms" title="Large indoor poultry farms" 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/2240911649/photo/large-indoor-poultry-farms.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=q08czsz_LpI5A_vHHsV8x4xVr0MXz1gOLrow-7P04Vk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why This Time of Year Is Risky<br></h3><p>You don’t need a textbook to explain this, anyone living near wetlands or lakes knows what November looks like. Birds are on the move, and Ireland becomes a stopover for huge numbers of ducks, geese, gulls and waders.</p><p>Three things combine to lift our risk:</p><p><strong>1. Migration peaks</strong><br>Thousands of migratory waterfowl arrive, many carrying avian influenza without showing symptoms.</p><p><strong>2. Weather changes behaviour</strong><br>Storms and shorter days push wild birds closer to farmyards, roofs, and feed areas.</p><p><strong>3. Cold, damp conditions favour the virus</strong><br>H5N1 persists far longer in winter conditions, making transmission more likely.<br></p><p>This is the same pattern that drove the 2021–2022 outbreaks, and why the Department moved quickly once the first detections appeared.</p><figure id="figure-5m8nerfk1rmhtjr6tr" class=""><img id="5m8nerfk1rmhtjr6tr" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1299941641/photo/sean-flying.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nNyrFNVOWZX3YQInoCHiWUPH4fu506yHAr-rKcyu7wo=" alt="Sean flying" title="Sean flying" 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/1299941641/photo/sean-flying.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nNyrFNVOWZX3YQInoCHiWUPH4fu506yHAr-rKcyu7wo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Biosecurity Wins That Make a Real Difference<br></h3><p>Biosecurity isn’t glamorous, but in a winter like this, it’s your strongest line of defence. The aim isn’t perfection, it’s to close off the small gaps where risk sneaks in.</p><p>Here are the steps that genuinely matter on real farms:</p><p><strong>Keep Wild Birds Out</strong><br></p><ul><li>Cover every feed and water point.</li><li>Fix or replace torn nets.</li><li>Reduce open water areas.</li><li>Keep bedding dry and covered.</li></ul><p><strong>Control Entry</strong><br></p><ul><li>One entry route per shed.</li><li>Clean boots, clean clothing, and a proper footbath, topped up, not just for show.</li></ul><p><strong>Separate Species</strong><br></p><ul><li>Keep ducks and geese away from hens and turkeys, mixed yards are a fast track for trouble.</li></ul><p><strong>Rodent Control</strong><br></p><ul><li>It’s hard to overstate this one. Rodents can carry contamination across surfaces in seconds.</li><li>Refresh bait points and seal holes before winter sets in.</li></ul><p><strong>Know the Signs</strong></p><ul><li>A sudden drop in eggs, feed intake falling off a cliff, swollen heads, coughing, unexplained deaths, don’t second-guess it.</li><li>Call your vet and DAFM straight away.</li></ul><figure id="figure-g7gnpa1ewkmhtjuhs1" class=""><img id="g7gnpa1ewkmhtjuhs1" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2205224332/photo/dekalb-white-hen-looking-at-camera-poultry-farm.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=oONkA0UAGWd4HTxr8A298pY26KdrfHOBUA5G67SjVCY=" alt="Dekalb white hen looking at camera. Poultry farm." title="Dekalb white hen looking at camera. Poultry farm." 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/2205224332/photo/dekalb-white-hen-looking-at-camera-poultry-farm.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=oONkA0UAGWd4HTxr8A298pY26KdrfHOBUA5G67SjVCY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What To Do If You Find Dead Wild Birds<br></h3><p>It happens every winter: swans on river banks, gulls on beaches, ducks in fields.<br>This year, leave them exactly where they are.</p><p>Report them through the national system so they can be collected and tested. These results feed into the risk assessment that decides housing orders and movement controls.</p><figure id="figure-s1v5p1v778mhtjvuxy" class=""><img id="s1v5p1v778mhtjvuxy" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/178489975/photo/dead-chicken-from-avian-influenza.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=-YXL3A5Br1zNPXflwJrxwC7PL6tPOlgEAR0MnqYl4h8=" alt="dead chicken from avian influenza" title="dead chicken from avian influenza" 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/178489975/photo/dead-chicken-from-avian-influenza.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=-YXL3A5Br1zNPXflwJrxwC7PL6tPOlgEAR0MnqYl4h8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Where Vaccination Stands</h3><p>The EU has opened the door for targeted poultry vaccination, but Ireland isn’t using it as a frontline tool.<br>Vaccination comes with movement restrictions and testing complications, and for now the focus remains on:</p><ul><li>Early detection.</li><li>Rapid containment.</li><li>Housing.</li><li>Strict biosecurity.</li></ul><p>That may change in the future, but it is not part of the national plan this winter.</p><figure id="figure-c3za9g6wa4mhtjy9zc" class=""><img id="c3za9g6wa4mhtjy9zc" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2180331135/photo/a-group-of-chickens-are-eating-in-a-pen.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Tzzs38k6xQ4Mak1SxtVELWnviT0Vz_CzkcaTcZszSQk=" alt="A group of chickens are eating in a pen" title="A group of chickens are eating in a pen" 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/2180331135/photo/a-group-of-chickens-are-eating-in-a-pen.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Tzzs38k6xQ4Mak1SxtVELWnviT0Vz_CzkcaTcZszSQk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Movement and Market Impact<br></h3><p>At this stage, there is no sign of disruption to processing or retail supply chains. A housing order is manageable; multiple outbreaks are what pressure the system.</p><p>However, farmers should expect:</p><ul><li>Restrictions on live-bird sales or shows.</li><li>Tighter paperwork checks.</li><li>Localised movement controls if new outbreaks appear.</li><li>A cautious approach from buyers and processors<br></li></ul><p>For now, it’s steady, but vigilance will decide whether it stays that way.</p><figure id="figure-68tijldqnmhtjzpud" class=""><img id="68tijldqnmhtjzpud" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2225356172/photo/turkeys-walking-in-the-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Gm9vAGXa1r8WXkgAFxJdLxkG14Ecr4Lqdl4Zd-uCfCk=" alt="Turkeys walking in the garden" title="Turkeys walking in the 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/2225356172/photo/turkeys-walking-in-the-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Gm9vAGXa1r8WXkgAFxJdLxkG14Ecr4Lqdl4Zd-uCfCk=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>This Includes Small Flocks Too<br></h3><p>One of the lessons from previous outbreaks, in Ireland and across Europe, is that the virus doesn’t care whether a flock is commercial or backyard.<br>Small flocks can act as intermediaries between wild birds and the wider domestic sector.</p><p>If you keep even a handful of hens, take the housing order seriously.<br>Your compliance protects everyone.</p><figure id="figure-zkfnea3dgmhtk100e" class=""><img id="zkfnea3dgmhtk100e" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2165613155/photo/chicken-in-basket-day-old-chick-new-born-on-the-broiler-farm-hatchery-productivity.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=bEV8TpMAaqdRUuATJFBPe_Z3A1o6kesVYFwo1-gFE3Y=" alt="Chicken in basket day old chick new born on the broiler farm hatchery productivity." title="Chicken in basket day old chick new born on the broiler farm hatchery productivity." 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/2165613155/photo/chicken-in-basket-day-old-chick-new-born-on-the-broiler-farm-hatchery-productivity.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=bEV8TpMAaqdRUuATJFBPe_Z3A1o6kesVYFwo1-gFE3Y=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Ireland isn’t facing a major poultry crisis, but the situation has sharpened. With two confirmed outbreaks and over 40 wild-bird positives already this year, the housing order is the right move at the right time.</p><p>If farmers stick to tight biosecurity, early reporting and practical winter management, we can keep this contained, just as we did in previous years.</p><p>The message is simple: this winter is about discipline. And Irish farmers know better than most that staying ahead of a disease is far easier than trying to catch up with it.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Bird Flu in Ireland: Essential Information for Farmers

a lot of green lettuce grows on the plantation, among the plants there is an eu flag

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>The European Union has agreed a landmark plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, compared with 1990 levels. It’s an ambitious step, the biggest climate goal ever set by the bloc, and it brings the 2050 “net zero” deadline into much sharper focus.</p><p>For Irish farmers, this isn’t abstract policy talk, it’s a very real signal that agriculture will continue to sit at the heart of the climate conversation. The sector still makes up about 38% of Ireland’s total emissions, one of the highest proportions in Europe, which means any new targets hit our industry first.</p><figure id="figure-4ktdnjc0rsmhm3xkq6" class=""><img id="4ktdnjc0rsmhm3xkq6" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2148732502/photo/european-union-agriculture-concept-agricultural-industry-import-and-production-of-food-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6ikxyNa6v4Y3bOl-fD648wnTW08IwaFDTvithibd174=" alt="European Union agriculture, concept Agricultural industry, import and production of food and biofuels, blooming rapeseed field and EU flag" title="European Union agriculture, concept Agricultural industry, import and production of food and biofuels, blooming rapeseed field and EU flag" 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/2148732502/photo/european-union-agriculture-concept-agricultural-industry-import-and-production-of-food-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6ikxyNa6v4Y3bOl-fD648wnTW08IwaFDTvithibd174=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What It Means on the Ground</h3><p>When Brussels tightens the rules, Irish farmers feel it, in paperwork, in costs, and often in how we’re judged internationally. The new 2040 goal means more oversight, stricter reporting, and tighter margins for error.</p><p>Some of the main takeaways:</p><ul><li><strong>Farm-level scrutiny is set to increase: </strong>Ireland’s Climate Action Plan already commits to a 25% reduction in agri emissions by 2030, equivalent to around 5.75 million tonnes of CO₂. The new EU deal could shorten that timeline even further.</li><li><strong>Costs will rise in the short term:</strong> Building extra slurry storage, cutting back on chemical fertilisers, or investing in feed additives will all require upfront cash, even if they pay back later.</li><li><strong>Land use will shift:</strong> Carbon storage, rewetting, and forestry are now at the centre of farm policy. Expect to see more incentives for biodiversity and less flexibility around land left idle.</li><li><strong>Markets will demand proof: </strong>Grass-based efficiency has long been Ireland’s calling card, but the days of reputation alone are gone. Data, audits, and verified sustainability credentials will soon decide who sells where.</li></ul><figure id="figure-yt4f6n9ej8mhm40m99" class=""><img id="yt4f6n9ej8mhm40m99" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2170996724/photo/sheep-feed-amongst-the-green-hills-in-the-gap-of-dunloe-in-killarney-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ZUz4unCbqNAD0S6MFqaXdf0cSOAF7QIsNcdAdITsn_Y=" alt="Sheep feed amongst the green hills in the Gap of Dunloe in Killarney, Ireland" title="Sheep feed amongst the green hills in the Gap of Dunloe in Killarney, 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/2170996724/photo/sheep-feed-amongst-the-green-hills-in-the-gap-of-dunloe-in-killarney-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ZUz4unCbqNAD0S6MFqaXdf0cSOAF7QIsNcdAdITsn_Y=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Ireland’s Strengths and Weak Spots<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>Ireland’s grass-based system gives us a big leg up. Our mild weather, long grazing seasons, and relatively low feed inputs make our farms among the most efficient in Europe. Teagasc data shows Irish dairy produces roughly 0.9 kg of CO₂ per litre of milk, compared to 1.5 kg or more across many EU systems.</p><p>But efficiency isn’t immunity. Agriculture is still Ireland’s single largest emitter. Total emissions fell 4.6% in 2023, mainly due to reduced fertiliser use and more liming, a good step, but far from enough. We’ll need sharper cuts year-on-year to stay in line with both national and EU targets.</p><figure id="figure-x3noa3tzx9mhm42ngz" class=""><img id="x3noa3tzx9mhm42ngz" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1581465816/photo/storm-clouds-gathering-over-playing-fields.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=4ALxQSXDyb9r2KOMVPSaKoJmzER03h7_qw7YD8QU7Rw=" alt="Storm clouds gathering over playing fields" title="Storm clouds gathering over playing fields" 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/1581465816/photo/storm-clouds-gathering-over-playing-fields.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=4ALxQSXDyb9r2KOMVPSaKoJmzER03h7_qw7YD8QU7Rw=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Can It Really Work?</h3><p>It’s a huge question, and a fair one. The EU’s 2040 target looks impressive on paper, but implementation is another story. There are plenty of wrinkles still to iron out:</p><ul><li><strong>Flexibility clauses:</strong> May allow part of that 90% cut to come from carbon credits rather than real, on-farm reductions.</li><li><strong>Technology gaps persist:</strong> Methane inhibitors like 3-NOP and red seaweed show 20–30% methane cuts, but scaling them up across herds is still far off.</li><li><strong>Fairness matters: </strong>The smaller family farms that define Irish agriculture can’t absorb the same costs as larger or corporate operations. Without tailored supports, the burden will fall unevenly.</li><li><strong>Funding is finite: </strong>Ireland’s €1.5 billion agri-environmental budget (2025–2026) is already stretched across ACRES, forestry, and CAP schemes. Future reforms will need deeper pockets or smarter prioritisation.</li></ul><figure id="figure-didl3o199pmhm45pjv" class=""><img id="didl3o199pmhm45pjv" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1266533412/photo/heavy-smoke-of-industrial-pipes-on-european-union-flag-global-warming-concept-background-with.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=7hasuOrEUaEnwUvvK2kzwdlVk2aSMFkBfHJhwbk7vts=" alt="heavy smoke of industrial pipes on European Union flag - global warming concept, background with space for your content - industrial 3D illustration" title="heavy smoke of industrial pipes on European Union flag - global warming concept, background with space for your content - industrial 3D illustration" 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/1266533412/photo/heavy-smoke-of-industrial-pipes-on-european-union-flag-global-warming-concept-background-with.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=7hasuOrEUaEnwUvvK2kzwdlVk2aSMFkBfHJhwbk7vts=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Turning Targets into Opportunity<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>It’s easy to see climate policy as a threat, but there’s real opportunity here too. The global market is pivoting towards sustainable food, and Ireland’s production model already aligns better than most.</p><p>The Agricultural Climate Research and Innovation Hub (ACRIH) at Johnstown Castle is a good example of progress. It’s a joint effort by Teagasc, ICBF, and UCD, and it’s finding practical ways to cut emissions at source. Early results show that smarter breeding and improved feed efficiency could reduce methane output by up to 10% nationally, without denting productivity.</p><p>On the energy front, the Solar Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS offers up to 60% grant aid for rooftop panels, and microgeneration payments now let farmers sell excess power back to the grid. It’s not just about green credentials, it’s about trimming costs long-term.</p><p>Meanwhile, Europe’s planned carbon border adjustment mechanism (a tariff on high-emission imports) could play to Ireland’s advantage. Our grass-fed beef and dairy may soon carry more export weight simply because they’re produced more cleanly than the global average.</p><p>That said, finance remains the sticking point. The average family farm income in 2023 was just €43,000, and many beef and sheep farms earned far less. Major upgrades or new tech aren’t realistic for every farmer. If climate policy is to work, supports must be tiered, with grants, credit lines, and advisory help aimed squarely at smaller, lower-income farms. Otherwise, the transition risks widening the gap between the few who can afford to act and the many who can’t.</p><p>Done right, though, Ireland could lead Europe’s “fair transition”, showing how to hit climate goals without hollowing out rural livelihoods.</p><figure id="figure-b1dj0b28rmhm47emy" class=""><img id="b1dj0b28rmhm47emy" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2154436547/photo/farm-animals-in-county-clare-ireland-irish-cows-and-sheeps.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=b8EDIi3mYAJg4X8vWvL0_0BdBLIMikWJDhJ1yYJ9neE=" alt="Farm animals in county Clare, Ireland. Irish cows and sheeps" title="Farm animals in county Clare, Ireland. Irish cows and sheeps" 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/2154436547/photo/farm-animals-in-county-clare-ireland-irish-cows-and-sheeps.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=b8EDIi3mYAJg4X8vWvL0_0BdBLIMikWJDhJ1yYJ9neE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Farmers Can Do Now<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>While policymakers debate the fine print, farmers can already take practical, low-cost steps:</p><ul><li><strong>Know your numbers: </strong>Tools like Teagasc’s Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) help identify what measures save the most emissions for the least effort.</li><li><strong>Mind your soil: </strong>Lime, clover, and smarter nutrient management cut fertiliser costs and emissions while boosting yields.</li><li><strong>Look at dual-use options: </strong>A few acres of trees or wetlands can store carbon and bring biodiversity payments, without cutting stock numbers.</li><li><strong>Invest smartly:</strong> Solar panels, better slurry handling, or rainwater collection can save real money while hitting climate targets.</li><li><strong>Stay engaged: </strong>The next CAP reform (post-2027) will likely link payments directly to emissions. Knowing what’s coming is the best insurance.</li></ul><figure id="figure-ehkcx266gmhm49n64" class=""><img id="ehkcx266gmhm49n64" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2200200580/photo/centrifugal-fertiliser-spreader-agricultural-machine.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ZRFFLRIRGiS311BOXcxl8Tp7fyICh048rPVtaplfL6c=" alt="Centrifugal fertiliser spreader agricultural machine" title="Centrifugal fertiliser spreader agricultural machine" 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/2200200580/photo/centrifugal-fertiliser-spreader-agricultural-machine.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ZRFFLRIRGiS311BOXcxl8Tp7fyICh048rPVtaplfL6c=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Irish farming has adapted to every storm thrown its way, quotas, CAP cuts, Brexit, and now climate change. This 2040 deal isn’t a death knell; it’s a call to act early and shape the outcome.</p><p>Margins are tight, expectations are high, and farmers are tired of feeling like the villains in climate debates. But here’s the truth: Irish agriculture already produces some of the cleanest food in the world. If we double down on that fact, prove it with data, and use policy to back it up, we can keep farming profitable and sustainable.</p><p>Because the next decade won’t just be about cutting emissions, it’ll be about proving that family farms still have a central role in Europe’s food future. And if history tells us anything, it’s that Irish farmers don’t wait for change, they figure out how to work with it.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Decoding the EU's 2040 Emissions Deal: Implications for Irish Farmers

Hand of young female owner of modern cowfarm holding mobile phone

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>You can’t open a farming magazine these days without being told that “the future is digital.” Sensors, dashboards, apps, drones; apparently, every farm is now a computer with grass on top.</p><p>A lot of this tech is useful, but plenty of it is pure fluff. Irish farmers don’t need gadgets that look good in brochures, they need things that save time, money, and grey hairs. Digitising your farm shouldn’t mean losing the run of yourself. It should just make the day run a bit smoother.</p><figure id="figure-e5zq8at6h4mh9dwwh5"><img id="e5zq8at6h4mh9dwwh5" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/cwqr7mK3cu19ZG2wWRdyAW1kV8FhHzQ4RmrLoOFr1Rzu3YJdQXXuTwy9Etck8Dac.jpeg" alt="modern farm technology" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/cwqr7mK3cu19ZG2wWRdyAW1kV8FhHzQ4RmrLoOFr1Rzu3YJdQXXuTwy9Etck8Dac.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Start with the Problem, Not the Gadget</h3><p>Teagasc and IFA Skillnet found that 46% of Irish farmers are already using some kind of digital technology, and another 40% said they’re open to using it in the future. That’s a strong signal, most farmers want to get more efficient; they just don’t want a laptop welded to the tractor.</p><p>So before buying anything, ask yourself: What’s the actual problem I’m trying to solve?</p><p>If it’s paperwork, get an app like Herdwatch or AgriNet, they cost a few hundred euro a year but will save hours in admin and compliance.<br>If fertiliser bills are creeping up, invest in soil testing and digital nutrient maps.<br>If time is your issue, simple sensors that text you when the water trough’s empty or the gate’s left open will do more for your sanity than any fancy dashboard.</p><p>Start small. Fix the pain points first. Let the tech earn its place on your farm.</p><figure id="figure-uzis48kx1mmh9dx0ab" class=""><img id="uzis48kx1mmh9dx0ab" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/7y0VZY4YDjoQT0z0yVtrjTuuPy3JsLAB5bHuCwOavocRWNvKaaoZUKA0RTB2QUHI.jpeg" alt="farm technology implementation" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/7y0VZY4YDjoQT0z0yVtrjTuuPy3JsLAB5bHuCwOavocRWNvKaaoZUKA0RTB2QUHI.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>The Good Stuff — Tools That Actually Pull Their Weight<br></h3><p>Here’s what’s proving its worth on Irish farms right now, and roughly what it’ll set you back.</p><ul><li>Farm management apps: Expect to pay €150–€400 a year for most herd or crop software. They save hours every week on paperwork, inspection prep, and breeding records.</li><li><strong>Precision GPS systems:</strong> John Deere’s Precision Ag Essentials retrofit kit, which includes the display, receiver, and modem, runs at about €2,990 plus VAT, with an annual licence of around €2,990 for advanced features. Tillage farms often recoup that in under two years through lower diesel use and reduced overlaps.</li><li><strong>Soil testing and mapping: </strong>Full digital soil maps typically cost €25–€35 per acre, depending on your contractor. They help cut fertiliser waste and boost grass response, worth it on almost any system.</li><li><strong>Low-cost sensors: </strong>Handy bits of kit like temperature or gate sensors cost anywhere between €100 and €500 each, and they just text or ping you if something changes. Nothing fancy, just smart.</li><li><strong>Drones and imagery: </strong>Now, these are impressive, but they’re not for everyone. A high-end agricultural drone in Ireland will set you back €25,000–€35,000. And keep in mind that aerial spraying is tightly regulated, so they’re mostly for mapping, not chemicals.</li></ul><p>If it doesn’t save you labour, fuel, or fertiliser, it’s probably not worth the money.</p><figure id="figure-0myetto8l6mh9hij1t" class=""><img id="0myetto8l6mh9hij1t" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2196422223/photo/smiling-female-black-landscape-architect-using-tablet-talking-to-worker-in-garden-center.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a2w__veMC2-Zd22K0ehRg2qBBFyx4KxwhQ0loPPkFOs=" alt="Smiling Female Black Landscape Architect Using Tablet Talking to Worker in Garden Center" title="Smiling Female Black Landscape Architect Using Tablet Talking to Worker in Garden Center" 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/2196422223/photo/smiling-female-black-landscape-architect-using-tablet-talking-to-worker-in-garden-center.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=a2w__veMC2-Zd22K0ehRg2qBBFyx4KxwhQ0loPPkFOs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Avoid Tech That Solves Problems You Don’t Have<br></h3><p>There’s no shortage of salesmen selling “revolutionary digital platforms.” Many of them have never set foot in a wet field in February.</p><p>If a gadget needs perfect broadband, constant software updates, or someone from overseas to log in and fix it, that’s not a solution, that’s a headache waiting to happen.</p><p>The OECD notes that high costs and lack of digital skills are still the biggest barriers to tech adoption on farms. That’s not a surprise. The problem isn’t that farmers are old-fashioned, it’s that some tech just isn’t built for the reality of rural Ireland.</p><p>So before you buy, ask yourself:</p><ul><li>Can I fix this myself if it breaks?</li><li>Does it work offline?</li><li>Will it actually save me money or just give me data I’ll never use?</li></ul><p>If the answers aren’t clear, keep your wallet shut.</p><figure id="figure-aqvai92v8hmh9hkvle" class=""><img id="aqvai92v8hmh9hkvle" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1132035109/photo/lets-take-a-walk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Co06kPQUfs-ildZ4ktUETkU5_7lQV15DDk1tkuTMt4U=" alt="Let's take a walk" title="Let's take a walk" 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/1132035109/photo/lets-take-a-walk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Co06kPQUfs-ildZ4ktUETkU5_7lQV15DDk1tkuTMt4U=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Think of Tech Like Machinery<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>You wouldn’t buy a new tractor because someone in a polo shirt said it’s “innovative.” You’d ask how it handles, what it costs to maintain, and whether it’ll last. Treat tech the same way.</p><p>A few bits of advice that work:</p><ul><li><strong>Try before you buy: </strong>Most platforms will let you demo or test them.</li><li><strong>Ask someone local:</strong> A neighbour or discussion group will tell you what’s worth it, and what to avoid.</li><li><strong>Check compatibility:</strong> Make sure it links to ICBF, Bord Bia, or DAFM systems.</li><li><strong>Add gradually: </strong>One tool that works perfectly is better than ten you forget to use.</li></ul><figure id="figure-g6v8nfj98lmh9hmv8l" class=""><img id="g6v8nfj98lmh9hmv8l" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/639310314/photo/this-cattle-counter-app-is-really-useful.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=U8mjAmFQ-XhuZJHDc6xyAss_ZIafOXzMgnnMfhHgFs4=" alt="This cattle counter app is really useful" title="This cattle counter app is really useful" 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/639310314/photo/this-cattle-counter-app-is-really-useful.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=U8mjAmFQ-XhuZJHDc6xyAss_ZIafOXzMgnnMfhHgFs4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why It Actually Matters<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>Digitisation isn’t about turning your farm into a science lab. It’s about freeing up time so you can make better decisions.</p><p>Ireland already leads in grass-based farming and traceability. The next competitive edge will come from data confidence, being able to show, with facts, what’s happening on your farm and why.</p><p>That doesn’t mean fitting Wi-Fi to every gatepost. It means picking the tools that work for your setup, your land, your stock, your broadband.</p><figure id="figure-b1e4f0jhamh9hogv2" class=""><img id="b1e4f0jhamh9hogv2" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2180429069/photo/an-agricultural-drone-sprays-crops-in-the-early-morning-sunlight-advanced-technology-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=O_xS1XWKYpcylUCbA2SaYrb-abEqmLKZN6t4kqtvuvQ=" alt="An agricultural drone sprays crops in the early morning sunlight. Advanced technology in farming, automation, and innovation improving productivity in agriculture." title="An agricultural drone sprays crops in the early morning sunlight. Advanced technology in farming, automation, and innovation improving productivity in agriculture." 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/2180429069/photo/an-agricultural-drone-sprays-crops-in-the-early-morning-sunlight-advanced-technology-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=O_xS1XWKYpcylUCbA2SaYrb-abEqmLKZN6t4kqtvuvQ=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>You don’t have to digitise your entire farm overnight, and you don’t need every shiny gadget that lands at the Ploughing. Start with something small that genuinely helps, see how it goes, and build from there.</p><p>The best technology in farming isn’t loud or flashy. It’s the stuff you hardly notice because it’s doing its job quietly in the background, saving time, reducing waste, and letting you focus on the real work.</p><p>So yes, go digital, but keep your feet on the ground. Use common sense, mind the budget, and don’t let anyone convince you that more gadgets equal more progress. The smartest farms aren’t the most high-tech ones. They’re the ones that use tech wisely, and still know when to leave the phone in the jeep.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Digitising Your Farm: A Practical Guide to Stay Grounded

a flowery field margin and a wheat field in springtime

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Ask any farmer and you’ll often get the same look when “biodiversity” comes up; half interest, half fatigue. It sounds like another job for the clipboard brigade. But strip it back, and biodiversity just means giving nature a fighting chance to do what it’s always done. One of the simplest, smartest ways to do that is with wildflower margins.</p><p>They don’t need much land. They don’t cost a fortune. And quietly, they pull their weight in more ways than one.</p><figure id="figure-1omtmxw45hmh9currv" class=""><img id="1omtmxw45hmh9currv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/22IQJf2KqaReSFeXRaQZHINJjBmazztFCYERspFxpDcFaYYzntmih6Jj0zcgmAZW.jpeg" alt="wildflower field" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/22IQJf2KqaReSFeXRaQZHINJjBmazztFCYERspFxpDcFaYYzntmih6Jj0zcgmAZW.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Pollinators: The Unpaid Staff That Keep the Wheels Turning</h3><p>Here’s the plain truth: without pollinators, Irish farming would grind to a halt. Bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and beetles do enormous work that rarely makes the balance sheet. In Ireland alone, these tiny workers are worth their weight in gold through food-crop production and trade.</p><p>The problem? They’re vanishing. Roughly one-third of Ireland’s wild bee species are now threatened with extinction, and about half have declined since the 1980s. That’s not a statistic to brush off, it’s a warning that the ecosystem keeping our crops alive is under strain.</p><p>A simple metre-wide strip of native wildflowers can help change that. Sown along a field edge or beside a gateway, it feeds pollinators through the “hungry gap” between late spring and autumn, when not much else is in bloom. It’s a small act with a big impact, keeping that unseen workforce healthy and active when they’re needed most.</p><figure id="figure-rseou0itbmh9d3gvz" class=""><img id="rseou0itbmh9d3gvz" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1607944066/photo/daisy-flowers-meadow-above-view.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=75irPfbsgz1Tpf7mkpR9pFDMUc8dMhnshxX8KdoqDr0=" alt="Daisy flowers meadow above view" title="Daisy flowers meadow above view" 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/1607944066/photo/daisy-flowers-meadow-above-view.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=75irPfbsgz1Tpf7mkpR9pFDMUc8dMhnshxX8KdoqDr0=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Nature’s Own Pest Control System<br></h3><p>Wildflower margins don’t just feed bees, they recruit allies. Ladybirds, lacewings, and parasitic wasps thrive along those strips, keeping aphids and caterpillars in check before they ever reach the crop.</p><p>Research from across Europe shows that flower-rich strips boost natural pest-control services by roughly 16% on average. That’s fewer chemical sprays, cleaner water, healthier soils, and less pressure on the environment. It’s nature doing the job, quietly and efficiently, while the farmer focuses on the rest of the operation.</p><p>And once they’re established, wildflower margins don’t demand much. A light mow once or twice a year keeps them in shape, that’s it.</p><figure id="figure-xl9jap41ymh9d5b12" class=""><img id="xl9jap41ymh9d5b12" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2154014960/photo/bumblebee-on-a-flower.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=yWzDahII5V4XILi5RLZaqAzwql9L0UcUWDAnSQiM6Ws=" alt="bumblebee on a flower" title="bumblebee on a flower" 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/2154014960/photo/bumblebee-on-a-flower.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=yWzDahII5V4XILi5RLZaqAzwql9L0UcUWDAnSQiM6Ws=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Good for the Land, Great for the Look<br></h3><p>Irish farmers get plenty of flak, about emissions, runoff, you name it. But those who’ve planted wildflower margins have found that they change the story entirely. They look great, hum with life, and show that farmers are part of the climate solution, not the problem.</p><p>They’re good PR, but they’re also good business. Across Europe, insect pollination adds almost €15 billion every year to the food economy. Those splashes of colour along the lane or ditch aren’t just for show; they’re part of a much bigger picture, a farming system that’s productive, balanced, and forward-looking.</p><figure id="figure-hzigjyo9hamh9d6u1o" class=""><img id="hzigjyo9hamh9d6u1o" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1418380436/photo/field-margin-with-wild-flowers-growing-in-uk-farmland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=PWvmLGQBIF0y6NRXulOpJxssoN9yJ_ObHSCUiSYCbO8=" alt="Field margin with wild flowers growing in UK farmland" title="Field margin with wild flowers growing in UK farmland" 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/1418380436/photo/field-margin-with-wild-flowers-growing-in-uk-farmland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=PWvmLGQBIF0y6NRXulOpJxssoN9yJ_ObHSCUiSYCbO8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Getting Started: Keep It Simple<br></h3><ul><li><strong>Go native: </strong>Irish wildflower seed mixes are best suited to local soils and pollinators.</li><li><strong>Clear first, sow once: </strong>Remove weeds before sowing; mow lightly after flowering.</li><li><strong>Pick smart spots: </strong>Ditches, stone walls, or low-yield edges are ideal. Avoid ground that’s too rich or compacted.</li><li><strong>Keep records:</strong> Photos or quick notes help with eco-scheme claims and showcase your environmental work.<br></li></ul><p>You don’t need to rewild the farm. Just carve out a small space for nature to work alongside you, it’ll more than earn its keep.</p><figure id="figure-5v96qkd5anmh9da5zv" class=""><img id="5v96qkd5anmh9da5zv" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1362055601/photo/closeup-of-yellow-blooming-common-ragwort.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=T64OiMvWE-u0Te015CTWXOH39n3OYHeDEMbQFMQORMo=" alt="Closeup of yellow blooming common ragwort" title="Closeup of yellow blooming common ragwort" 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/1362055601/photo/closeup-of-yellow-blooming-common-ragwort.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=T64OiMvWE-u0Te015CTWXOH39n3OYHeDEMbQFMQORMo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Irish farming is changing fast, and so are expectations. Wildflower margins are a simple, visible way to show progress, not pressure. They help biodiversity, tick compliance boxes, save on inputs, and build trust with the public.</p><p>When those flowers start to bloom, they’re more than decoration. They’re a reminder that the heart of Irish farming still beats in time with the land, steady, resilient, and alive.</p><p>Because sometimes, the best investments don’t come from new machinery or fancy tech. They start with a few seeds, a quiet corner of a field, and a farmer who knows that nature’s not the enemy, it’s the oldest partner we’ve got.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

The Benefits of Wildflower Margins in Agriculture

aerial view of a salmon fish farm in Bantry Bay in County Cork of western Ireland

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Irish aquaculture, the country’s quiet marine industry, is at a crossroads. Worth around €180–200 million annually, the sector supports over 1,900 jobs directly, many in coastal communities that have seen everything from post offices to pubs disappear. It’s a vital economic lifeline stretching from Donegal to Bantry Bay, producing world-class salmon, mussels, and oysters.</p><p>Yet in 2025, the debate over fish farming has never been sharper: how can Ireland grow its blue economy without harming the very waters it depends on?</p><figure id="figure-5srx20ob2smh3fadth" class=""><img id="5srx20ob2smh3fadth" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3UWBxSkyLlnA3p9RwtvxDP4fLYosiO7ZFEhDJwlSiZwcgqMX4KDIFen20M14ZEXt.jpeg" alt="irish aquaculture" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3UWBxSkyLlnA3p9RwtvxDP4fLYosiO7ZFEhDJwlSiZwcgqMX4KDIFen20M14ZEXt.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>The State of Play</h3><p>Ireland’s aquaculture sector may be small compared to global leaders like Norway or Scotland, but it punches above its weight in quality. Irish organic salmon and rope-grown mussels have carved a strong export reputation, particularly in France, Spain, and Germany. Over 90% of all Irish aquaculture output is exported, contributing significantly to rural incomes and Ireland’s food brand abroad.</p><p>But for years, growth has been hobbled by a familiar problem: licensing delays. The aquaculture licensing system, some say the most cumbersome in Europe, has left over 200 applications in limbo at any given time. Some operators have waited five years or more for decisions, effectively stalling innovation and investment.</p><p>A 2024 review by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine admitted that outdated processes and overlapping environmental assessments have slowed expansion and undermined confidence in the sector. Plans are now in motion to streamline the process under a new National Aquaculture Licensing Authority, due to come into effect in 2026.</p><figure id="figure-o1lwgq4rwtmh3ffy12" class=""><img id="o1lwgq4rwtmh3ffy12" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2179615104/photo/a-fish-farm-with-lush-hills-rising-in-the-background-under-a-cloudy-sky.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VXmX61euq3FGLF0aJ59aa3NBLJHtT1plFOs3kAYtD8c=" alt="A fish farm, with lush hills rising in the background under a cloudy sky." title="A fish farm, with lush hills rising in the background under a cloudy sky." 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/2179615104/photo/a-fish-farm-with-lush-hills-rising-in-the-background-under-a-cloudy-sky.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=VXmX61euq3FGLF0aJ59aa3NBLJHtT1plFOs3kAYtD8c=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Balancing Growth with Environmental Duty<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>Critics argue that Ireland’s fish farming model hasn’t always been kind to its coastal habitats. The core issue lies in finding balance, boosting production without damaging fragile ecosystems.</p><p>Environmental groups point to concerns about nutrient build-up beneath cages, potential disease spread, and the risk of farmed salmon escaping into wild stocks. Farmers, meanwhile, argue that tighter controls, fallowing periods, and newer cage technologies have already reduced impacts dramatically.</p><p>And there’s truth to that. Over the past decade, Ireland has quietly improved. Most salmon farms now operate under multi-year fallow rotations, allowing sites to recover. Many are also trialling semi-closed containment systems, reducing direct contact between farmed fish and the open sea. Water-quality monitoring is routine, and newer feed formulations have cut waste.</p><p>Meanwhile, the shellfish sector, producing around 30,000 tonnes annually, has become a model for low-impact aquaculture. Mussels and oysters filter water naturally, improving clarity and biodiversity while producing a premium export product. In that sense, shellfish farms are a sustainability success story Ireland rarely talks about.</p><figure id="figure-3kf51rp2p2mh3fhxk4" class=""><img id="3kf51rp2p2mh3fhxk4" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/494661696/photo/basket-for-catch-lobster-on-the-boardwalk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=UdVCZ94Tu2MH8Th9hvTA30hVt_VEtO74LP-aVrxlGQc=" alt="Basket for catch lobster on the boardwalk" title="Basket for catch lobster on the boardwalk" 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/494661696/photo/basket-for-catch-lobster-on-the-boardwalk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=UdVCZ94Tu2MH8Th9hvTA30hVt_VEtO74LP-aVrxlGQc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Licensing: The Bottleneck No One Can Ignore<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>Ask any fish farmer what keeps them awake at night, and they’ll likely say one word: licensing. Ireland’s labyrinthine system has made it nearly impossible to expand production or trial new systems quickly.</p><p>The current system, shaped by overlapping EU directives on habitats, water, and environmental impact, has created a bureaucratic bottleneck. Every application must balance local community input, environmental concerns, and long-term sustainability goals, all good in theory, but painfully slow in practice.</p><p>The planned National Aquaculture Licensing Authority is meant to fix this. Its goal is to cut waiting times from several years to under one, using a single streamlined application process and clearer environmental criteria. If it works, it could finally unlock growth for a sector that’s been standing still for too long.</p><figure id="figure-mm818e2doimh3fj2p2" class=""><img id="mm818e2doimh3fj2p2" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1251991506/photo/seagulls-on-a-boat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nk67NzRzWlN_bU3vmzjgeDwXeC1OpRbdaFkJ1dIwux4=" alt="Seagulls on a boat" title="Seagulls on a boat" 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/1251991506/photo/seagulls-on-a-boat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nk67NzRzWlN_bU3vmzjgeDwXeC1OpRbdaFkJ1dIwux4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Push Offshore<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>One of the biggest trends in 2025 is the shift toward offshore fish farming, moving cages into deeper, more dynamic waters. Offshore systems can reduce localised seabed impacts and disease pressure, while opening up new space away from crowded inshore bays.</p><p>Trials are already under way in Galway Bay and off Donegal, testing new cage designs built to handle Atlantic conditions. The technology isn’t cheap, but the long-term benefits could be transformative. Offshore sites may allow Ireland to double production within sustainability limits, provided the regulatory and insurance frameworks can catch up.</p><p>Still, the financial barrier remains high. Setting up a new offshore site can cost millions, and without consistent policy support, few small operators can take that leap. The Marine Planning Framework has flagged offshore aquaculture as a priority growth area, but until the licensing system is fixed, progress will remain slow.</p><figure id="figure-nquf4hu9blmh3fkkjk" class=""><img id="nquf4hu9blmh3fkkjk" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2232436338/photo/colorful-buildings-and-swans-in-galway-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=yyeKVFZIX53ytu12UA10JPAbxFDXz5bw6RNxH2S2eQA=" alt="Colorful Buildings and Swans in Galway, Ireland" title="Colorful Buildings and Swans in Galway, 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/2232436338/photo/colorful-buildings-and-swans-in-galway-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=yyeKVFZIX53ytu12UA10JPAbxFDXz5bw6RNxH2S2eQA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Local Jobs, Local Tensions<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>For many coastal communities, aquaculture isn’t an abstract policy topic, it’s their livelihood. Towns like Castletownbere, Dingle, and Kilcar depend on fish farming to sustain local economies. But it’s not without friction.</p><p>Some residents worry about visual impact, navigation rights, or the perception of industrialisation of coastal waters. Others welcome the steady jobs and year-round activity that aquaculture brings, especially where traditional fishing has declined.</p><p>In short, fish farming has become a microcosm of rural Ireland’s wider dilemma, how to balance tradition, environment, and economic survival.</p><figure id="figure-5cm5suj47lmh3fm18q" class=""><img id="5cm5suj47lmh3fm18q" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1313798749/photo/metal-structure-for-oyster-beds-aquaculture-in-waterford-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=2AJYg22AVMF35hdugYDVGf_QXoHFGRg2VoViWrV1eqA=" alt="metal structure for oyster beds. aquaculture in Waterford Ireland." title="metal structure for oyster beds. aquaculture in Waterford 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/1313798749/photo/metal-structure-for-oyster-beds-aquaculture-in-waterford-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=2AJYg22AVMF35hdugYDVGf_QXoHFGRg2VoViWrV1eqA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Can Growth and Green Coexist?<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>The honest answer is: yes, but not easily. Ireland has the natural assets to become a leader in sustainable aquaculture, clean waters, cool temperatures, and a strong scientific base through BIM, Teagasc, and the Marine Institute.</p><p>But without a faster, clearer, and science-led licensing system, those advantages will continue to slip away. Likewise, growth must come with transparency, community engagement, and robust monitoring so that “green” isn’t just a slogan.</p><p>If Ireland can get that balance right, encouraging innovation while protecting its bays and estuaries, aquaculture could help drive a new era of coastal prosperity.</p><figure id="figure-jcryb6q5jamh3fnfd0" class=""><img id="jcryb6q5jamh3fnfd0" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2173563529/photo/aerial-view-over-antrim-coastline-northern-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ZOzviFLumxtiSvwn22GsYP0DapFtCdg3VYHRkcVeRt4=" alt="Aerial View Over Antrim Coastline, , Northern Ireland" title="Aerial View Over Antrim Coastline, , 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/2173563529/photo/aerial-view-over-antrim-coastline-northern-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=ZOzviFLumxtiSvwn22GsYP0DapFtCdg3VYHRkcVeRt4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Irish aquaculture in 2025 is a sector full of promise but tangled in red tape. It’s caught between the demand for sustainable food and the need for fair regulation. The value is already there, €180–200 million annually, but the potential is much greater.</p><p>Fix the licensing logjam, invest in offshore innovation, and support smaller operators with practical grants, and Ireland could lead the world in sustainable seafood.</p><p>If we want a thriving blue economy that complements, not competes with, traditional farming, it’s time to move from talking about balance, to building it.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

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