Insights from Ploughing 2025: Lessons Learned in Screggan

Introduction

The 94th National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, County Offaly, wrapped up last week, and once again it showed why this event is the biggest date in the Irish farming calendar. Over 225,000 people passed through the gates during the three days. It was busy, muddy, and full of craic, but also a chance to take the pulse of farming in Ireland right now.

The Big Numbers

The final headcount came in just under 226,000. The busiest day was close to 85,000 visitors, with the others not far behind. Numbers were a little down on last year’s record, but still strong enough to keep the Ploughing comfortably ahead as one of Europe’s biggest outdoor events.

Over 1,700 exhibitors filled the site, ranging from the global machinery giants to local artisan food stalls. On the competition front, more than 300 ploughmen and women lined up, covering everything from horse ploughing to modern reversible classes.

Machinery, Competitions and Community

The machinery stands were as packed as ever, with farmers getting a close look at everything from GPS-guided tractors to precision seed drills. Across the way, vintage tractors and horse ploughing drew equally big crowds, reminding us of the roots of Irish farming.

But the Ploughing has always been about more than tractors. The brown bread competition was one of the highlights, with the winning loaf featuring Guinness and treacle. Add in welly throwing, tug-of-war, and the endless food tents, and it was clear the event is still very much a family day out. For many, the real value was in the chats with neighbours, old friends, or even the odd politician passing by.

The Weather Factor

No Ploughing is complete without talk of the weather. The first two days held up fairly well, dry for the most part, which helped the crowds. But on the final day, the heavens opened and mud became the order of the afternoon. The ground team had worked hard in advance, so while boots sank, the show carried on. It’s a reminder that farming, and the Ploughing itself, is always at the mercy of the skies.

Issues That Stood Out

This year wasn’t without its challenges. Organisers admitted there was a noticeable rise in underage drinking. Gardaí confiscated alcohol from teenagers, and some families weren’t impressed by behaviour in parts of the site. It’s been years since that was a real talking point, and it’s something that will have to be tackled before next year.

The other shadow hanging over the event was policy. CAP reforms, the nitrates derogation cut, and fears about Mercosur beef imports were all hot topics. Farmers didn’t just browse machinery stands; they took every chance to press ministers, MEPs, and farm leaders. The Ploughing has always been a political stage, but this year it felt more like a grilling.

Innovation and Future Thinking

One of the strongest parts of Ploughing 2025 was the Innovation Arena and the new tech on display.

• Herdwatch came away with top honours for its AI-driven herd management tool. It gives farmers real-time data on animal health, grazing plans, and compliance, all in one place. The kind of thing that could easily save hours of paperwork.
• ScanInsights, a Cork start-up, showed a scanning system that can pick up not just whether a cow is in calf, but also growth stage and even calf sex earlier than traditional methods. For dairy and suckler farmers, that level of accuracy could be a game-changer.
• GlasPort Bio’s GasAbate system grabbed attention for its ability to cut slurry emissions while keeping more nutrients in the tank. Compliance and efficiency rolled into one is bound to raise interest.
• Drone spraying was another crowd-puller, with a Meath farmer showing a machine that can spray 20 hectares an hour. Farmers with awkward land or short on help could see clear potential.
• Brothers Robert and David Beattie launched a smart collar for sheep that alerts farmers if stock are being chased or attacked, sending GPS data straight to the phone. With dog attacks still a sore subject in many areas, plenty of sheep men lingered at that stand.

It wasn’t all about high-tech kit. There were stands on rainwater harvesting, carbon auditing, and multi-species swards, all of which drew steady crowds. Farmers may not be convinced by everything, but it’s obvious that climate and compliance are now centre stage.

Takeaways for Farmers

The Ploughing always sends farmers home with something to think about, and this year was no different:

• Policy pressure is here to stay. The mood on CAP, nitrates, and Mercosur was uneasy, and farmers know incomes are tied as much to Brussels as to the yard.
• Technology is getting real. Drone sprayers, herd apps, and collars aren’t pipe dreams. They’re working, and some are already in use on Irish farms. The question is less “if” and more “when.”
• Community is still the backbone. The crowds, the competitions, the chats in the rain, all of it shows farming isn’t just an industry, it’s a way of life.
• Reputation matters. The underage drinking issue risks undermining the family, friendly image of the Ploughing. Expect tighter rules next year.
• Practical innovation draws farmers in. Farmers weren’t fussed about gadgets for show. They wanted things that save time, cut losses, or keep them compliant.

Conclusion

Ploughing 2025 gave us everything we’ve come to expect: machinery, mud, bread, laughter, and more than a few serious conversations about the future. It’s the only place you’ll see a horse and plough competing a field away from a GPS-guided tractor or a drone sprayer.

The event’s strength is in that mix of old and new, of tradition and adaptation. Farming in Ireland is facing pressures, from policy, from climate, from markets, but the Ploughing showed that the sector is resilient, forward-looking, and still rooted in community.

And that’s why, for all its rain and mud, the Ploughing remains the heartbeat of rural Ireland.

*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.