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<h3>Introduction</h3><p>When ATU confirmed its new veterinary medicine programme, it landed differently for people in farming. This wasn’t just another academic announcement. For many farmers, especially in the west and northwest, it felt like someone had finally listened. Access to vets has been a simmering issue for years, and now a proper home-grown solution is starting to take shape.</p><figure id="figure-n75ousl2imidcmml2" class=""><img id="n75ousl2imidcmml2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2THPkjHkg1yZoFT7xO4lGUzXCsrInYRb6yer1SPyA5MSDywZleGxAN6n9YlJAWNB.jpeg" alt="Shot of a young veterinarian putting a bandage on a horse on a farm" title="Shot of a young veterinarian putting a bandage on a horse on a 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2THPkjHkg1yZoFT7xO4lGUzXCsrInYRb6yer1SPyA5MSDywZleGxAN6n9YlJAWNB.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why This Matters: The Vet Shortage Has Been Real<br></h3><p>Anyone running livestock knows the story. You ring the vet and they’re already covering three calls. Calving issues at 2am, lame cows on a wet Tuesday morning, sick lambs before breakfast, it all hinges on having someone available, and too often they simply aren’t.</p><p>Ireland has been patching the gap with foreign-trained graduates for years. In 2021 alone, around 70% of new vets registering in Ireland had trained outside the country, and 45% were foreign-qualified vets altogether. That level of dependence isn’t sustainable, and rural practices have been feeling the strain longest.</p><p>So when ATU announced its five-year veterinary course, running across Letterkenny and Mountbellew, with a new clinical facility on the way, it felt like the first real step toward easing that pressure.</p><figure id="figure-hj3xud4qhfmidcs72z" class=""><img id="hj3xud4qhfmidcs72z" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/0ImThdOvCbTs8aTOIRxGZNeGazp32fFxNi9E6r8Wg5stk3TTBUbCq1xNraCtyQ2e.jpeg" alt="Vet Inspecting Cattle Whilst They Are Being Milked" title="Vet Inspecting Cattle Whilst They Are Being Milked" 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/getty/0ImThdOvCbTs8aTOIRxGZNeGazp32fFxNi9E6r8Wg5stk3TTBUbCq1xNraCtyQ2e.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Farmers Stand to Gain</h3><p>The impact won’t be immediate, but it will be meaningful. More vet training places mean:</p><ul><li>Better access to large-animal care, especially in areas that struggle to recruit.</li><li>Vets trained in the realities of Irish systems, not intensive feedlots abroad.</li><li>A pipeline of students looking for placements, making extra hands available on local farms.</li><li>A more grounded relationship between vets and farmers, because the training is happening right in the middle of livestock country.</li></ul><p><br>Donegal and Galway might not have been the obvious choice a decade ago, but placing a vet school in the heart of farming is exactly what rural Ireland needed.</p><figure id="figure-kcvc9zjbdqmidcugiy" class=""><img id="kcvc9zjbdqmidcugiy" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/186QOpeH7NawnxDBpd3WbYeVqmJETPwJIBQJDEegrMTGni64RjUDYr8rFZa3tjZt.jpeg" alt="Connemara national park with Ballynahinch Lake Ireland" title="Connemara national park with Ballynahinch Lake 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/186QOpeH7NawnxDBpd3WbYeVqmJETPwJIBQJDEegrMTGni64RjUDYr8rFZa3tjZt.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Building Capacity — Slowly but Properly</h3><p>The rollout hasn’t been rushed, which is probably for the best. ATU has moved the first intake to September 2026, giving time for accreditation and the construction of a new €41 million veterinary facility on campus. The plan is to take in about 30 students per year, a number that won’t overwhelm the system but will steadily build the workforce.</p><p>It won’t solve the vet shortage on day one. Training takes five years, and the first graduates won’t hit the ground until the early 2030s. But for the first time in decades, Ireland is building its own long-term solution rather than relying on overseas colleges.</p><figure id="figure-s3vwb2w3pimidcw7y7" class=""><img id="s3vwb2w3pimidcw7y7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/34vc44qLVRUfG96AvkH72cELNutX532TWNobzDmcD6aO52vysaCgN5HBdgaVDovr.jpeg" alt="young cheerful woman veterinarian on farm holding clipboard" title="young cheerful woman veterinarian on farm holding clipboard" 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/getty/34vc44qLVRUfG96AvkH72cELNutX532TWNobzDmcD6aO52vysaCgN5HBdgaVDovr.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A Boost for Rural Economies Too<br></h3><p>What often gets overlooked is how much a vet school contributes to a local area beyond the classroom. Students live, shop, and work locally. Practices take on trainees. Research partnerships form with local farmers. Jobs follow the investment.</p><p>And in towns like Letterkenny, Ballinasloe, Tuam, Glenamaddy or Mountbellew, places with deep agricultural roots but limited higher-education infrastructure, that matters. It brings confidence, footfall, and a sense that rural Ireland isn’t being left behind.</p><figure id="figure-ahjr7j410emidcxhrq" class=""><img id="ahjr7j410emidcxhrq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/ewttrjMMdzcKWIzz0nR0xyNkKUn6PgOLxDO06i8TsrHD6Eky4jh1QfQQrRKaWQzK.jpeg" alt="Irish Countryside Aerial" title="Irish Countryside Aerial" 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/getty/ewttrjMMdzcKWIzz0nR0xyNkKUn6PgOLxDO06i8TsrHD6Eky4jh1QfQQrRKaWQzK.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A New Direction in Veterinary Training<br></h3><p>One aspect that’s getting strong praise within the sector is the course design. It’s not simply a copy-and-paste of existing programmes. ATU is shaping a curriculum that mirrors:</p><ul><li>Grass-based dairy systems.</li><li>Suckler and store-beef production.</li><li>Hill sheep farming.</li><li>Animal welfare in extensive systems.</li><li>Disease prevention in wetter, variable climates.</li></ul><p><br>This matters more than it might sound. A vet trained entirely in a dry-land, housed-beef or intensive poultry system abroad is starting from scratch when faced with Irish mud in February, a half-wild ewe on a hillside, or mastitis patterns linked to wet summers and heavy clay soils.</p><p>ATU’s approach gives new graduates a fighting chance of being “farm-ready” when they start work.</p><figure id="figure-3rkrdc9kme2midczy8j" class=""><img id="3rkrdc9kme2midczy8j" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cQQleBHcwZl8qOHIQsszt52Hl9GQqWf6wMVmtURnfx2BnaYL10KSEhwdhOWZxui.jpeg" alt="Cows" title="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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cQQleBHcwZl8qOHIQsszt52Hl9GQqWf6wMVmtURnfx2BnaYL10KSEhwdhOWZxui.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Farmers Can Do Now<br></h3><p>Even though the first intake is a year away, there are already ways to engage:</p><ul><li>Offer placements when the school begins, farms that get involved early will build relationships quickly.</li><li>Give feedback to the college about local needs; ATU has been open to shaping modules around real-world farming.</li><li>Prepare for more option in your area, over time, competition for large-animal work could improve availability.</li></ul><p><br>Encourage younger farmers who might be thinking of veterinary medicine; for rural students, this route is far more accessible than before.</p><figure id="figure-jwe4otel9omidd15ty" class=""><img id="jwe4otel9omidd15ty" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/6ikYbZin8I2MEnSB5OHMMV4Rg4RCa1eJ2svJBfwirAwQDv2YHw1a8yLQP7GmgV6J.jpeg" alt="Trainee learning for vet" title="Trainee learning for vet" 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/getty/6ikYbZin8I2MEnSB5OHMMV4Rg4RCa1eJ2svJBfwirAwQDv2YHw1a8yLQP7GmgV6J.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The launch of ATU’s veterinary programme marks a rare moment where policy, education, and rural needs actually line up. It won’t fix everything overnight, the shortages will continue for a few more years, but it’s a turning point worth marking.</p><p>For the first time in a long while, Ireland is investing in a system that recognises just how essential vets are to farming communities. When the person arriving at your yard trained down the road, understands your land type, and knows the realities of Irish livestock, everyone wins, the farm, the animals, and the wider community.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.&nbsp;</p>

ATU’s New Vet Course: Transforming Rural Ireland

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Irish grocery inflation has edged back to 6.06%, and while that may make for a tidy headline, it doesn’t automatically translate into good news for the people producing the food. When prices start to soften at the checkout, it usually means someone further up the chain has taken the hit, and it’s rarely the retailer.</p><p>Yes, shoppers are beginning to get a small breather (if even), and yes, grocery sales still grew 5.5% over the past 12 weeks. But that rise comes from people spending more, not buying more. Farmers know that story all too well: higher turnover doesn’t mean healthier margins.</p><p>Meanwhile, nothing about the day-to-day costs of running a farm has fallen in any meaningful way. Diesel hasn’t magically dropped because milk is on special offer, and fertiliser certainly isn’t following supermarket trends.</p><figure id="figure-xwcl31ic2mi651k2u" class=""><img id="xwcl31ic2mi651k2u" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2pXQ0MTvpIGshOe0QqLPuEZFOpw1kqOxfHuDy4221it3GpbEm9fhCCcWSBUS5X8J.jpeg" alt="Woman shopping at a grocery store and checking her receipt" title="Woman shopping at a grocery store and checking her receipt" 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/getty/2pXQ0MTvpIGshOe0QqLPuEZFOpw1kqOxfHuDy4221it3GpbEm9fhCCcWSBUS5X8J.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Consumers Are Chasing Value — and Retailers Are Reacting Fast<br></h3><p>Irish households have snapped back into “value mode.” You can see it clearly in the numbers. Nearly 22% of all grocery sales this autumn came from promotional lines, a big jump from roughly 16% a year ago. Families are watching every euro, and retailers know it.</p><p>Own-label is driving the shift. Those ranges grew 6.3% in recent weeks, compared with 5.2% for branded goods. It’s a sign of the pressure in Irish homes, but it also shows how retailers are positioning themselves: hold footfall, push promotions, lean on cheaper alternatives, and try to keep basket sizes stable.</p><p>But cheaper shelves don’t mean cheaper farming. The gap between what consumers pay and what it costs to produce food gets stretched further, and farmers are the only part of the chain that can’t pass costs down the line.</p><figure id="figure-9ltzrmxfg9mi653rz8" class=""><img id="9ltzrmxfg9mi653rz8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/16R775eTsaPtTEKRK85HYJ0kteYtpYYSy6psTVlXXt3Rp7kX6cUHoSg3xIV0TIaa.jpeg" alt="Hand fed and free range" title="Hand fed and free range" 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/getty/16R775eTsaPtTEKRK85HYJ0kteYtpYYSy6psTVlXXt3Rp7kX6cUHoSg3xIV0TIaa.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Where Does This Leave Farmers?</h3><p>In short, in a familiar, uncomfortable position.</p><p>Most farmers won’t see any benefit from inflation dipping to 6.06%. The price relief is happening at the checkout, not at the factory gate.</p><ul><li>Beef and lamb prices remain stuck.</li><li>Dairy prices have steadied but are nowhere near their 2022 highs.</li><li>Transport, labour, insurance and compliance costs haven’t budged.<br></li></ul><p>So when supermarkets get competitive, negotiations tighten. When negotiations tighten, processors lean harder. And when processors lean harder, it’s farm income that feels the squeeze first.</p><p>Farmers are caught between two realities:</p><p><strong>1. Many consumers want cheaper food, because household budgets are still tight.</strong><br><strong>2. The cost of producing that food remains stubbornly high.</strong></p><p><br>Inflation easing doesn’t fix that tension, it amplifies it.</p><figure id="figure-4ojbwuhq6ami655uwx" class=""><img id="4ojbwuhq6ami655uwx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/39CRxy2Hmd25uiCVePuluJnaMSEwxOm6uFXFDBggGD0e4zsXFkTjYLk9vmIRky5X.jpeg" alt="Woman selecting her fruits and vegetables" title="Woman selecting her fruits and vegetables" 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/getty/39CRxy2Hmd25uiCVePuluJnaMSEwxOm6uFXFDBggGD0e4zsXFkTjYLk9vmIRky5X.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why This Moment Matters More Than It Looks<br></h3><p>The headline figure suggests improvement. But the ground truth is more complicated.</p><ul><li>Households are spending more but getting less for it.</li><li>Retailers are depending on heavy promotions to keep people shopping.</li><li>Processors are arguing harder over every cent.</li><li>Farmers remain the least protected, least flexible link in the chain.<br></li></ul><p>Lower grocery inflation does not reduce the price of diesel. It doesn’t reduce the cost of a tonne of fertiliser. It doesn’t ease insurance premiums. None of the expensive parts of farming are linked to supermarket pricing.</p><p>So while the public sees prices cooling, farmers see something different: the pressure quietly shifting back onto them.</p><figure id="figure-o1jir65thmi658buc" class=""><img id="o1jir65thmi658buc" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/17zorOpk8THIImZjju8YFXEVRAhiBlIpm8aFWZO2OhXwPfLB2CN0VIW8JfxfDDeZ.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/17zorOpk8THIImZjju8YFXEVRAhiBlIpm8aFWZO2OhXwPfLB2CN0VIW8JfxfDDeZ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Farmers Should Be Watching Next<br></h3><p>The next few months will be shaped by three questions:</p><p><strong>1. Are retailers preparing another round of supplier price cuts?</strong><br>With 22% of grocery sales now tied to promotions, retailers are clearly in a scrap for market share. That usually means tougher conversations with processors, and tougher outcomes for farmers.</p><p><strong>2. Will milk, beef and lamb prices improve at all in 2026?</strong><br>If shoppers keep drifting toward own-label and cheaper lines, processors may try to claw back savings. Farmers will need to watch signals closely from factories and co-ops.</p><p><strong>3. What happens if inflation picks up again?</strong><br>Core inflation remains sticky, and energy costs could jump with little warning. If household bills climb again, consumers will cut deeper, and the price pressure will swing straight back to primary producers.</p><figure id="figure-a0keoipg5gmi659la0" class=""><img id="a0keoipg5gmi659la0" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/34y260pDQuixIiKhcVoUKCyxYcXzTsfucF0AcPA7jGxro7esVeYjyGW2DhwfD34V.jpeg" alt="Woman feeling worried about rising grocery prices" title="Woman feeling worried about rising grocery prices" 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/getty/34y260pDQuixIiKhcVoUKCyxYcXzTsfucF0AcPA7jGxro7esVeYjyGW2DhwfD34V.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The easing of grocery inflation to 6.06% makes a neat headline, but it doesn’t tell the full story. It’s good news for families trying to stretch the weekly shop. But on Irish farms, the maths hasn’t changed.</p><p>Input costs are still high. Margins are still tight. The supply chain still uses farmers as the shock absorber every time the economy wobbles.</p><p>If anything, this moment reinforces how urgent it is to push for fairer contracts, greater transparency, and a realistic, long-term approach to valuing food in this country. Because as long as supermarket inflation falls faster than farm input costs, the pressure won’t ease where it matters most, in the yard, not the aisle.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Impact of Easing Irish Grocery Inflation on Farmers

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>There’s been a noticeable shift in Irish food habits over the past few years, and farmers are in the middle of it whether they realise it or not. People are getting tired of food that feels like it’s travelled further than they ever will. They want to know who they’re buying from. They want to support local families, not vague-sounding companies. And they’re willing to pay for that connection.</p><p>When you look at the bigger picture, this makes perfect sense. Ireland’s agri-food sector is enormous, around €29.5 billion in annual turnover and supporting close to 165,000 jobs. It’s a powerhouse. But most of that value disappears into long supply chains. Farmers do the work; someone else clips the ticket.</p><p>At the same time, almost 90% of our dairy output is exported. So Irish shoppers are now asking: “Why is my butter coming from continental Europe while the farm down the road is producing some of the best milk in the world?”</p><p>That curiosity, and, frankly, frustration, is driving a quiet but serious demand for local food. And this is where the opportunity is for farmers staring down increased costs, tighter margins, and unpredictable markets.</p><figure id="figure-fx6tvwolhmhywumna" class=""><img id="fx6tvwolhmhywumna" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1dbSdst9DxNsncSpRg0jkLG8aNRd97c5a8CyXpkwwlhJEYr3jwca91XYatEROvS6.jpeg" alt="A piece of butter in golden paper on the table." title="A piece of butter in golden paper on the table." 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/getty/1dbSdst9DxNsncSpRg0jkLG8aNRd97c5a8CyXpkwwlhJEYr3jwca91XYatEROvS6.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>People Want Local and They’re Proving It With Their Purchases<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>This isn’t some cosy Instagram trend. It’s a proper shift in buying behaviour.</p><p>Teagasc has highlighted that income from farm diversification has been steadily climbing, and a lot of that is coming from direct-to-consumer sales. It’s a simple equation: people trust the farmer more than the middleman. They want to know where their food came from and whether it was produced responsibly.</p><p>And here’s the thing: Irish farmers already have what consumers want. Quality, traceability, and a good story, all built in.</p><figure id="figure-is1x3hobummhyx4mp7" class=""><img id="is1x3hobummhyx4mp7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2fAxj8TVM0Zuv2w0ZYJ2Z5Y8fthOQF56dPUiO7PSPxhbKzeoiwBbqWUGT1c71BIK.jpeg" alt="Market stall with vegetables" title="Market stall with vegetables" 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/getty/2fAxj8TVM0Zuv2w0ZYJ2Z5Y8fthOQF56dPUiO7PSPxhbKzeoiwBbqWUGT1c71BIK.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Real Farmers Are Doing This Already And Doing It Well<br><br></h3><p>While Ireland has a world-class farming sector, historically only a tiny number of farmers sold directly to the public. One report put it at just 0.4% involved in on-farm food processing or selling their own produce. Hardly a crowded market.</p><p>But that’s changing.</p><p>Take Rostellan Farm in Cork. A family dairy farm that didn’t just stick to selling into the traditional system, they built a farm shop, started selling milk and produce directly, and turned the place into a real community hub. They’re proof that customers respond when they can put a face and a place to the food they’re buying.</p><p>Or the case of Brian and Cency McLeer in Co. Louth. After seeing a milk vending machine abroad, they brought the idea home and set one up on their own farm. Their story ended up in a national farm business report and is regularly pointed to as a smart diversification move, one that cuts out the middlemen entirely and keeps more of the value on the farm.</p><p>These examples work for a reason: people trust what they can see.</p><figure id="figure-rartf73p3lmhyx6jn4" class=""><img id="rartf73p3lmhyx6jn4" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/32lXN4w8CdVGL68QzFOAnEW3mz94bUPgPy4BiJ3ksNpHDltogplAgY4vv6ijP6HQ.jpeg" alt="A farmer adjusts a fence on a farm in Stamullen, Co. Meath, Ireland." title="A farmer adjusts a fence on a farm in Stamullen, Co. Meath, 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/32lXN4w8CdVGL68QzFOAnEW3mz94bUPgPy4BiJ3ksNpHDltogplAgY4vv6ijP6HQ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farmers’ Markets and Direct Sales Aren’t Just “Nice to Have” They Work</h3><p>Teagasc has been straight about this: farmers’ markets give producers a chance to build relationships, brand their produce properly, and capture more of the value they’re generating. And they’re right, a chat at a market stall does more for loyalty than any advertising campaign.</p><p>But direct sales go far beyond markets. Farmers across the country are trying:</p><ul><li>Farm shops.</li><li>Milk vending machines.</li><li>Veg or meat boxes.</li><li>Supplying local cafés or restaurants.</li><li>Weekly farm-gate collections.</li><li>And because you set the price, you’re not at the mercy of whatever the processor decides that week.</li></ul><p>You won’t move the same volume as you would through a co-op or factory, but the margin per unit can be healthier, more stable, and far more in your control.</p><figure id="figure-da1tcqbyccmhyx96ai" class=""><img id="da1tcqbyccmhyx96ai" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3bjt9TKxETT3jAejyIbtqdG2b089hgqLWZ07o6LWxeaKeaJwGvTmTYSPOlsfNQAx.jpeg" alt="Green meadows of Ireland with mountain views of Killarney, Co. Kerry" title="Green meadows of Ireland with mountain views of Killarney, Co. Kerry" 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/getty/3bjt9TKxETT3jAejyIbtqdG2b089hgqLWZ07o6LWxeaKeaJwGvTmTYSPOlsfNQAx.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Start Small - Don’t Overthink It<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>The biggest mistake people make is assuming you need a full retail operation from day one. You don’t.</p><p>You can dip your toe in with:</p><ul><li>A few hours of farm-gate sales on a Saturday.</li><li>A limited batch of eggs, veg, honey, or beef boxes.</li><li>A partnership with a local business.</li><li>A small, simple website that lets people pre-order.</li><li>One farmers’ market stall every fortnight.</li><li>You don’t need glossy branding or a marketing consultant.</li></ul><p>A clean label with your farm name and a description of how you produce the food is more than enough. Irish customers appreciate honesty more than design.</p><figure id="figure-9xok3aqz3nmhyxb2nn" class=""><img id="9xok3aqz3nmhyxb2nn" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/23CdVQFpO6ezD42eh1juHFDx9GYTQtQP27YJLzOe1JjLwEmfnyiAASWYXbJh5Osz.jpeg" alt="Cherries on the market" title="Cherries on the 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="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/23CdVQFpO6ezD42eh1juHFDx9GYTQtQP27YJLzOe1JjLwEmfnyiAASWYXbJh5Osz.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Yes, There Are Rules — But They’re Manageable<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>Selling food directly means ticking a few extra boxes around hygiene, labelling, traceability, and (if you’re handling meat or dairy) approved processing routes. None of this is unmanageable. Farmers are already used to operating under tight regulations, this is just a slightly different flavour of the same thing.</p><p>The key is to get your paperwork right from the start and keep things simple. Plenty of farmers have navigated it successfully.</p><figure id="figure-anigaiov2gmhyxej4g" class=""><img id="anigaiov2gmhyxej4g" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/17jJyEtr15xbR3SqkKupisneqh2mgARuEcn0xwjsBkmV8XEO7NjonSfyauTG26xQ.jpeg" alt="Farmers Market Carrots" title="Farmers Market Carrots" 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/getty/17jJyEtr15xbR3SqkKupisneqh2mgARuEcn0xwjsBkmV8XEO7NjonSfyauTG26xQ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Visibility Matters — Even If You Hate Social Media<br><br></h3><p>You don’t need to be online performing for the masses. A simple weekly update is enough:</p><ul><li>A photo of the herd grazing.</li><li>A heads-up that veg boxes are ready.</li><li>A clip of the milk vending machine being refilled.</li><li>A behind-the-scenes look at lambing or calving</li></ul><p>People love seeing the real work behind their food. It builds loyalty faster than any marketing strategy.</p><figure id="figure-u5xw8hlqbgmhyxg9qx" class=""><img id="u5xw8hlqbgmhyxg9qx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/8annxAA8u0Mg14gFbHvLmYOb3PsuWqoFKTBKAEaKhvNhhyrD9OXQPAS6Qr13FmC7.jpeg" alt="Close up view of cows on pasture in summer" title="Close up view of cows on pasture in summer" 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/getty/8annxAA8u0Mg14gFbHvLmYOb3PsuWqoFKTBKAEaKhvNhhyrD9OXQPAS6Qr13FmC7.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Real Payoff: Predictability, Loyalty, and Better Margins<br><br></h3><p>Local customers come back. They tell their friends. They support you because they believe in you, not because of a promotional offer.</p><p>And in a farming landscape full of price fluctuations, CAP changes and environmental pressures, having a steady base of local buyers is more than a nice bonus. It’s a buffer. It gives you breathing room. It gives you control.</p><p>That’s why farmers like the McLeers and the team at Rostellan Farm are leading the way, they’ve created models that rely on relationships, not international market swings.</p><figure id="figure-17su254gcpmhyxhcf1" class=""><img id="17su254gcpmhyxhcf1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2fAxj8TVM0Zuv2w0ZYJ2Z5Y8fthOQF56dPUiO7PSPxhbKzeoiwBbqWUGT1c71BIK.jpeg" alt="Market stall with vegetables" title="Market stall with vegetables" 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/getty/2fAxj8TVM0Zuv2w0ZYJ2Z5Y8fthOQF56dPUiO7PSPxhbKzeoiwBbqWUGT1c71BIK.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The local food market in Ireland isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s growing teeth. The demand is here. The examples are here. And the opportunity is wide open, especially for farmers willing to start small, stay honest, and let their produce speak for itself.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Opportunities for Irish Farmers in the Local Food Market

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://cdn.durable.co/getty/7PGGtuR9OV6Q5NEIbe1d6CU01vXlLt9luVki4VFzO4zEir063TTMSS4RQp7qCPVP.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/7PGGtuR9OV6Q5NEIbe1d6CU01vXlLt9luVki4VFzO4zEir063TTMSS4RQp7qCPVP.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/19M66q4qrFCBNc38MlMF8jd9OWZt5m5WVZgjx46KHv5NxL2iGID4ayXCcGXSpS7P.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/19M66q4qrFCBNc38MlMF8jd9OWZt5m5WVZgjx46KHv5NxL2iGID4ayXCcGXSpS7P.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/22Ws7J5pmbETirouyIsohvkiGhvxYbRDgRuQPnROpoASMIjYcGR5GN73cUYpDKtc.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/22Ws7J5pmbETirouyIsohvkiGhvxYbRDgRuQPnROpoASMIjYcGR5GN73cUYpDKtc.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1f2Opw1HFU0WIMFc7XPjVv29mpfQ3QHDALaejpML5BjeGyX9Tav5MMYDwTFNJe5p.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1f2Opw1HFU0WIMFc7XPjVv29mpfQ3QHDALaejpML5BjeGyX9Tav5MMYDwTFNJe5p.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1e1VndW4Q4jNKJHCsmqS3AJvVlB3UBVYTFZI0CWoGpbSRS4NNMuFT2VCAMdcDSPy.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1e1VndW4Q4jNKJHCsmqS3AJvVlB3UBVYTFZI0CWoGpbSRS4NNMuFT2VCAMdcDSPy.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/171nTHDRnkYNHNqL8Y5nfnZgnVnjUY25tqzcdwLDyyEsmDnHBhT3DGoAQzpXZGGp.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/171nTHDRnkYNHNqL8Y5nfnZgnVnjUY25tqzcdwLDyyEsmDnHBhT3DGoAQzpXZGGp.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/36vHoikKcmdmiEGbXjDDt4QCTUOCoKZEzqsvP3O1Obd23CCBa4ujlB5d1MlxKdgf.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/36vHoikKcmdmiEGbXjDDt4QCTUOCoKZEzqsvP3O1Obd23CCBa4ujlB5d1MlxKdgf.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/47NMRgIyZSK8E9yRNmMT2RK7hKJmmLSY1Meb6dT3jis35kXHj2H8RvRpG65WjW0y.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/47NMRgIyZSK8E9yRNmMT2RK7hKJmmLSY1Meb6dT3jis35kXHj2H8RvRpG65WjW0y.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/249oAjkMp0jAdoKKAdh5TiW3CYhBGY2ygikAiWIIjgiL90G3XrHjz9SYLK3g7wvY.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/249oAjkMp0jAdoKKAdh5TiW3CYhBGY2ygikAiWIIjgiL90G3XrHjz9SYLK3g7wvY.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1cRolwjJPRIx5CUnw4Zkz0tuduZI2ap8tTOZR5emYD5XSfBzXB0yauPWiOfAKTqa.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1cRolwjJPRIx5CUnw4Zkz0tuduZI2ap8tTOZR5emYD5XSfBzXB0yauPWiOfAKTqa.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/aRnBgCVx6xRJfErDUu9w5clZTxwLgPspUtRs0wf2eaOmGR6vV2UIK0TqKQL7L1Ea.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/aRnBgCVx6xRJfErDUu9w5clZTxwLgPspUtRs0wf2eaOmGR6vV2UIK0TqKQL7L1Ea.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/8tGdHXMKUBYrMPL6m80mkVJQ4HExvwukPoQ87o4QyFGsi3pVAYS6o7LHPimlcHwT.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/8tGdHXMKUBYrMPL6m80mkVJQ4HExvwukPoQ87o4QyFGsi3pVAYS6o7LHPimlcHwT.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/38xxW0sPgL2BiajEEZpRPkh1VtJDe5vAcwwnpwX1ThJgtgG8QpgNKveXsw8gVcxL.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/38xxW0sPgL2BiajEEZpRPkh1VtJDe5vAcwwnpwX1ThJgtgG8QpgNKveXsw8gVcxL.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/5JNwH8yTMPIF6VSGvGtucRs8iiCxBO1fpUigfbNUeRjxhj5sfHVJJDFvQa8UDivQ.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/5JNwH8yTMPIF6VSGvGtucRs8iiCxBO1fpUigfbNUeRjxhj5sfHVJJDFvQa8UDivQ.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/exBmDSXFuxp6CK1NmRN2Inooh5sKZZA7XjZFsRryDmTamqS9sFI8SktSBfS6OlQk.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/exBmDSXFuxp6CK1NmRN2Inooh5sKZZA7XjZFsRryDmTamqS9sFI8SktSBfS6OlQk.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2fWZaZwD6kcSFnuBjDjyEeLzDNlCe0e0uE8Mi5VvIlFYcdaJMKs15Uzll7QZqTX2.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2fWZaZwD6kcSFnuBjDjyEeLzDNlCe0e0uE8Mi5VvIlFYcdaJMKs15Uzll7QZqTX2.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/21wKnI0keBjY1bAc7KlEqLUsy5IZDgL2bAJ5mVxruItn9RZ0DzEVvogYVf8CXUe6.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/21wKnI0keBjY1bAc7KlEqLUsy5IZDgL2bAJ5mVxruItn9RZ0DzEVvogYVf8CXUe6.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/8gHTe3hDxqusIyoHchQCFAC1lGMXH2mv7SyYr6HOWwHRVHLgP6DA2TfN3Nk7GWDn.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/8gHTe3hDxqusIyoHchQCFAC1lGMXH2mv7SyYr6HOWwHRVHLgP6DA2TfN3Nk7GWDn.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1fmZjAuQw0EdfzsYZHt0Q2h89sArX8q28WDEZyDM8YbZi5lKFBFqErRBa7RbiFlS.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/1fmZjAuQw0EdfzsYZHt0Q2h89sArX8q28WDEZyDM8YbZi5lKFBFqErRBa7RbiFlS.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/4LXIBqSxjAGE8RTOMETs3Vgf6vJjS9oKx2ElVBx04HqJ9FPxFf7NhmuulvEICN7r.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/4LXIBqSxjAGE8RTOMETs3Vgf6vJjS9oKx2ElVBx04HqJ9FPxFf7NhmuulvEICN7r.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/17zorOpk8THIImZjju8YFXEVRAhiBlIpm8aFWZO2OhXwPfLB2CN0VIW8JfxfDDeZ.jpeg" 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/17zorOpk8THIImZjju8YFXEVRAhiBlIpm8aFWZO2OhXwPfLB2CN0VIW8JfxfDDeZ.jpeg" 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>

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