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Financial family planning and budgeting. The concept of money management for a little person. Wealth with the tax percentage and monthly income. Keeping track of personal expenses.

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Budget 2026 has landed, and while it won’t set any hearts racing, it matters. It’s a budget of reassurance rather than reinvention; steady funding, continued reliefs, and a few long-awaited signals for farm families planning ahead. But as always, the devil is in the detail.</p><figure id="figure-twg42m3o9mghrpnxa" class=""><img id="twg42m3o9mghrpnxa" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/14dOkSpykNNdfKaCa3pnzrVexHaBsNrTrVOhGU1ci5PMxiPyUisucLvRJGWotgjZ.jpeg" alt="Parliament of Ireland" title="Parliament of Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/14dOkSpykNNdfKaCa3pnzrVexHaBsNrTrVOhGU1ci5PMxiPyUisucLvRJGWotgjZ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A Budget Built on Steady Hands, Not Bold Moves</h3><p>The Department of Agriculture’s total funding now stands at €2.3 billion, an increase of roughly €170 million on last year. On paper, that looks like progress, and it is, but it’s also about maintaining momentum rather than changing direction.</p><p>The big picture is one of continuity. The €131 million package for livestock remains in place, keeping suckler, beef, and sheep welfare schemes running. The National Beef Welfare Scheme, Sheep Improvement Scheme, and the Dairy Beef Welfare Programme are all covered under this allocation. That stability will be welcomed across the country, especially after a few jittery months when there were fears of cuts.</p><p>Still, the devilish detail lurks beneath the surface. The sheep sector sees funding hold steady at around €20 million, but that’s against a backdrop of a national flock decline, from 2.46 million breeding ewes in 2024 to potentially 100,000–200,000 fewer in 2025. For many sheep farmers, this means payments will be maintained, but fewer will qualify.</p><figure id="figure-pq3qeqfidemghrsooa"><img id="pq3qeqfidemghrsooa" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/21XmhgP7Gw2gdLo16ccWWu7lfpUFBIzN9hJg9qNKZv9jh13sBhpOsK9RADk6pbD6.jpeg" alt="Galway native Irish sheep breed in Ireland" title="Galway native Irish sheep breed in 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/21XmhgP7Gw2gdLo16ccWWu7lfpUFBIzN9hJg9qNKZv9jh13sBhpOsK9RADk6pbD6.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Wins: What’s Working in Farmers’ Favour<br>&nbsp;<br></h3><p>Budget 2026 does deliver some positives, particularly for farmers thinking long-term.</p><p>The big win is on succession and taxation. The Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief, which can save up to 6% on land transfers, has been extended for another four years, along with Agricultural Relief (which offers up to 90% off inheritance tax on qualifying farm assets). Together, these measures save Irish farm families an estimated €250 million a year.</p><p>The Farm Restructuring Relief, which reduces or eliminates Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on land swaps and consolidation, also gets a four-year extension. For farmers trying to tidy up fragmented holdings, that’s a very real win.</p><p>Elsewhere, ACRES (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) receives a boost, with funding rising to around €280 million to support more than 53,000 participants. That’s an important signal that environmental schemes are here to stay, not just as policy box-ticking exercises but as core farm income supports.</p><p>Meanwhile, tillage farmers get another year of help, €30 million to cushion the blow of weather losses. It’s a short-term stabiliser rather than a long-term strategy, but given how tough 2024 was, it’s a bit of a lifeline.</p><figure id="figure-m6a3txk2sjmghrw2nc" class=""><img id="m6a3txk2sjmghrw2nc" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/29gZM3T3jpB3myV0YyLZfQXT9eXsLyl0vjQw6OrAxqNFKNRXHPgxyEUgV2nWdv20.jpeg" alt="Group of cows at The Burren geopark in County Clare, Ireland" title="Group of cows at The Burren geopark in County Clare, 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/29gZM3T3jpB3myV0YyLZfQXT9eXsLyl0vjQw6OrAxqNFKNRXHPgxyEUgV2nWdv20.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Challenges: Still No Easy Year Ahead<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>For all the positives, this budget doesn’t solve the structural pressures facing Irish farms.</p><p>Input costs, especially for fertiliser, fuel, and feed, remain stubbornly high. There’s no new relief for these essentials, meaning cashflow will stay tight across many sectors. Smaller sheep and beef farms, in particular, are feeling squeezed between static payments and rising costs.</p><p>And while environmental schemes are well-funded, access remains a pinch point. Many who applied for ACRES last year couldn’t get in, and no guarantee has been given that additional places will open in 2026. That’s creating frustration in areas where farmers are ready to take on actions but can’t get approved.</p><p>Then there’s the labour question. For smaller family farms already operating on a one-person model, schemes and supports are only half the story. The other half is time, and it’s still in short supply.</p><figure id="figure-gby748ht3kmghrz0w9" class=""><img id="gby748ht3kmghrz0w9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3J3YPhqesr4E8gypqOEKM2hfSQioBBaQzpsGsepIPArZiooLlkAU8IoFDklGMZ1L.jpeg" alt="My closest friend" title="My closest friend" 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/3J3YPhqesr4E8gypqOEKM2hfSQioBBaQzpsGsepIPArZiooLlkAU8IoFDklGMZ1L.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Numbers That Tell the Story</h3><p>Let’s break the budget down into hard figures that matter:</p><ul><li><strong>DAFM Budget 2026:</strong> €2.3 billion (+€170 million).</li><li><strong>Beef, Sheep &amp; Suckler Supports:</strong> €131 million.</li><li><strong>Sheep Sector:</strong> €20 million (~€13 per ewe, down €2 million overall).</li><li><strong>Tillage Support:</strong> €30 million continuation.</li><li><strong>ACRES: </strong>€280 million for 53,000 farmers.</li><li><strong>TB Eradication Programme:</strong> +€85 million in additional funding.</li><li><strong>Average Irish Farm Income 2024:</strong> ~€33,000 (down 14% year-on-year, Teagasc estimate).</li><li><strong>Farm Input Costs:</strong> up 22% over three years (CSO data).</li></ul><p>Numbers don’t lie — this isn’t a giveaway budget. It’s a holding pattern: keep farmers in schemes, keep succession tax breaks alive, and buy time for longer-term CAP and climate decisions.</p><figure id="figure-6ichg3k3cmghs2vcf" class=""><img id="6ichg3k3cmghs2vcf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cijux4M6gQrYPzr1X7TavNvYlmJORA80Lk5VDFhY2rlJgIu17SolV6BjV2JcxLs.jpeg" alt="Aerial View of the A5 Curr Road from Omagh to Ballygawley County Tyrone Northern Ireland" title="Aerial View of the A5 Curr Road from Omagh to Ballygawley County Tyrone 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cijux4M6gQrYPzr1X7TavNvYlmJORA80Lk5VDFhY2rlJgIu17SolV6BjV2JcxLs.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Farmers Should Actually Do Now<br>&nbsp;</h3><p><strong>1. Secure your scheme compliance early.</strong><br>Double-check welfare and ACRES conditions now. Missed records or weigh-ins could mean lost payments next spring.</p><p><br><strong>2. Start your succession plan, not your paperwork panic.</strong><br>With reliefs extended to 2030, now’s the moment to plan calmly. Talk to your accountant before the rush.</p><p><br><strong>3. Treat tillage funding as a rebuild buffer, not a bailout.</strong><br>€30 million won’t fix the sector, but it can buy drainage, lime, or crop rotation improvements for next year.</p><p><br><strong>4. Look at forestry or diversification grants.</strong><br>For smaller farms with wet or unproductive land, the new Forestry Programme and solar schemes might now stack up better financially than chasing marginal livestock income.</p><p><br><strong>5. Budget for no windfalls.</strong><br>Input volatility and weather aren’t going anywhere. Build a 10% contingency into your cashflow plan, it’ll likely save you twice that later.<br>&nbsp;</p><figure id="figure-v84ucuey5kmghs5j34" class=""><img id="v84ucuey5kmghs5j34" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/20efeoXEWWDs84pKBHJZC1t2s4qvGNFG6ILvPCMxxlOjlQKwnbn4mqtAAgWqS3SG.jpeg" alt="Cattle in a tranquil barn setting showcasing sustainable farming practices for milk production" title="Cattle in a tranquil barn setting showcasing sustainable farming practices for milk production" 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/20efeoXEWWDs84pKBHJZC1t2s4qvGNFG6ILvPCMxxlOjlQKwnbn4mqtAAgWqS3SG.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion<br></h3><p>Budget 2026 will divide opinion. Some will call it a steady hand; others will see it as another missed opportunity. But for most Irish farmers, it’s a case of business as usual, steady payments, familiar pressures, and cautious optimism.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Budget 2026: Key Points for Irish Farmers

goal 2025 New Year  Green business planning and development for sustainable environmental development goals. Drone top view, year 2025, in a large, lush forest. esg, sdgs, ccs, net zero, csr

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>This autumn, landowners across Ireland will get a chance to learn more about one of the country’s biggest opportunities, forestry. A series of free information evenings will take place in Ballinasloe, Killarney, Navan, and Kilkenny between October and November, giving farmers practical advice on how trees can fit into their existing farm business.</p><p>The events, organised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Teagasc, are designed to take the confusion out of forestry,&nbsp; to show, in plain terms, what the grants involve, what kind of land suits planting, and how the numbers actually stack up.</p><figure id="figure-ldypxuhs63mgfawx6t" class=""><img id="ldypxuhs63mgfawx6t" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/16ympY8BPKlW1OQVVgHLNfaYqMBhnVigJPhZB1hLCpQShBC9z285fDtyi8DKXd0U.jpeg" alt="A river flows in a calm sunny coniferous forest, with blurred grass in the foreground" title="A river flows in a calm sunny coniferous forest, with blurred grass in the foreground" 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/16ympY8BPKlW1OQVVgHLNfaYqMBhnVigJPhZB1hLCpQShBC9z285fDtyi8DKXd0U.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What Farmers Can Expect</h3><p>Each evening will feature talks and one-to-one advice from Department forestry inspectors and Teagasc forestry advisors. It’s not a lecture circuit, it’s a chance to sit down with someone who knows the system, ask straight questions, and walk away with clear answers.</p><p>They’ll cover:</p><ul><li><strong>Grants and premiums</strong>&nbsp;under the Forestry Programme 2023–2027.</li><li><strong>Tax-free annual payments</strong> up to 20 years for farmers, depending on the forest type.</li><li><strong>What species work best</strong> on different soils and slopes, from native woodland to commercial conifers.</li><li><strong>How forestry can fit alongside farming,</strong> rather than replace it</li></ul><p>There’ll also be open discussion around carbon farming, agroforestry, and how planting even a small area can contribute to biodiversity and income stability.</p><figure id="figure-0d2hwps3jmgfazc8l" class=""><img id="0d2hwps3jmgfazc8l" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/13ysLBf6FASguFreT5R5ukKfuJb1mBKIyfUFB8hSx5ALBgbXVPsJkog7jBto12Fb.jpeg" alt="Glenmacnass Waterfall" title="Glenmacnass Waterfall" 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/13ysLBf6FASguFreT5R5ukKfuJb1mBKIyfUFB8hSx5ALBgbXVPsJkog7jBto12Fb.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why Forestry Is Back on the Agenda</h3><p>Ireland currently has 11.6% forest cover, well below the EU average of 38%. The national goal is to raise this to 18% by 2050, and to get there, new and improved supports have been launched under the Forestry Programme 2023–2027.</p><p>Here’s what’s now on the table:</p><ul><li><strong>Annual payments of up to €1,103 per hectare,</strong> depending on the forest type.</li><li><strong>20-year premium duration for farmers, </strong>compared with 15 for non-farmers.</li><li><strong>The Native Tree Area Scheme, </strong>designed for smaller plantings of 0.1–1 hectare — perfect for awkward corners or wet ground.</li><li><strong>Establishment grants that now cover up to 100% of planting costs, </strong>including fencing, weed control, and early maintenance<br></li></ul><p>These supports make forestry one of the few farm diversification options that delivers a guaranteed, tax-free income while improving biodiversity and carbon storage.</p><figure id="figure-9hzclam4wmgfb1lqe" class=""><img id="9hzclam4wmgfb1lqe" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3ylfWRb51FrRW5cOSNMG6ZFmINHqrWKrdxiZ4ma4pnT0U75EGHe2PYzphZXJo37M.jpeg" alt="Aerial View of the Gortin Glen Forest Park Omagh County Tyrone Northern Ireland" title="Aerial View of the Gortin Glen Forest Park Omagh County Tyrone 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/3ylfWRb51FrRW5cOSNMG6ZFmINHqrWKrdxiZ4ma4pnT0U75EGHe2PYzphZXJo37M.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Tackling the Barriers<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>Historically, Irish farmers have been wary of forestry,&nbsp; and with good reason. In surveys, over 70% of landowners who haven’t planted cited “bureaucracy” or “fear of losing control” as the main reasons for holding back. These events are intended to break through that.</p><p>Teagasc and DAFM have simplified licensing through the Forestry Licensing Plan, cutting turnaround times and providing clearer environmental guidance. They’ll also explain how agroforestry works, where trees are planted on grassland but stock remain part of the system. It’s a practical way to earn support payments without taking productive ground completely out of use.</p><p>There are now 12 recognised forest types under the new scheme, from native mixed woodland and continuous cover forestry to riparian buffer zones that protect water quality. Each has a different purpose and income profile, which is exactly why the one-to-one sessions at these events are so useful.</p><figure id="figure-wdvtzl498vmgfb2sul" class=""><img id="wdvtzl498vmgfb2sul" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2c0OQKfnuKDRbhnfmVq1SOrtR8O30UYiA3zZ6NJpiQseHJSEGkZwSQpeu2WZuWiP.jpeg" alt="A Peaceful and Picturesque Pastoral Scene Featuring Grazing Sheep Amidst a Lush Green Landscape" title="A Peaceful and Picturesque Pastoral Scene Featuring Grazing Sheep Amidst a Lush Green Landscape" 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/2c0OQKfnuKDRbhnfmVq1SOrtR8O30UYiA3zZ6NJpiQseHJSEGkZwSQpeu2WZuWiP.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Forestry as Part of the Farm Business<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>With Ireland’s average farm size sitting around 33 hectares, many holdings have a few acres that simply don’t earn their keep. Forestry gives that land a purpose.</p><p>A few practical examples show why:</p><ul><li><strong>Shelter from tree belts can improve livestock performance,</strong>&nbsp;studies have shown cattle weight gains can rise by up to 10% in colder months when animals are protected from wind chill.</li><li><strong>Tree roots help hold soil together, </strong>reducing erosion and improving water retention.</li><li><strong>Leaf litter naturally recycles nutrients,</strong> reducing fertiliser costs over time.<br></li></ul><p>So this isn’t just about long-term income; it’s also about resilience, weather-proofing farms and making use of every part of the holding.</p><figure id="figure-w0v8o4d8vmgfb5kgo" class=""><img id="w0v8o4d8vmgfb5kgo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/dhzuAxL3ReDRxoGx5PfxtJMNjmFZMXDpAxLx8ql30NrdQiHZajt7EyiSc09eJSRH.jpeg" alt="Snow 2025" title="Snow 2025" 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/dhzuAxL3ReDRxoGx5PfxtJMNjmFZMXDpAxLx8ql30NrdQiHZajt7EyiSc09eJSRH.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why These Events Matter<br><br></h3><p>Ireland’s forestry planting rate is still well below target. In 2024, just 2,000 hectares were planted, far short of the 8,000 hectares per year the Government says are needed to meet 2030 climate goals.</p><p>That gap won’t close without more landowners understanding what’s available and what’s changed. These events are built for that exact purpose,&nbsp; to give straight answers and restore confidence. Whether you’re running a beef, sheep, or dairy farm, forestry now offers flexible options that can fit into your system without taking the whole place out of production.</p><p>The free events will take place in:</p><ul><li>Ballinasloe, Co. Galway – October.</li><li>Killarney, Co. Kerry – October.</li><li>Navan, Co. Meath – November.</li><li>Kilkenny – November<br></li></ul><p>Exact venues and times will be confirmed through Teagasc and local radio in the coming weeks.</p><figure id="figure-giqfg3ohzmgfb765y"><img id="giqfg3ohzmgfb765y" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1dgtUxEnRbw8bd4ZQDOnyIFT1pWVqRhrMiwwvzYdrb1poZlaavRwGy8P5RpIU30v.jpeg" alt="My cows are strictly free range" title="My cows are strictly 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/1dgtUxEnRbw8bd4ZQDOnyIFT1pWVqRhrMiwwvzYdrb1poZlaavRwGy8P5RpIU30v.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Practical Checklist: Getting the Most From the Forestry Events<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>If you’re planning to attend, a bit of preparation will make the visit far more useful:</p><ul><li><strong>Bring a farm map or LPIS number:</strong>&nbsp;it helps advisors give tailored advice.</li><li><strong>Note wet or unproductive paddocks:</strong>&nbsp;these could suit native woodland or riparian planting.</li><li><strong>Have your herd number ready:</strong>&nbsp;handy for checking grant eligibility.</li><li><strong>Think about your goals:</strong>&nbsp;income, biodiversity, or long-term shelter?</li><li><strong>Ask about maintenance:</strong>&nbsp;fencing, weed control, and replanting obligations differ by scheme.</li><li><strong>Chat with another farmer who’s planted:</strong>&nbsp;nothing beats hearing how it’s worked in practice.</li></ul><p>The aim of these events is to make the process simpler and more transparent,&nbsp; so farmers can make decisions with full confidence, not confusion.</p><figure id="figure-ngmzo9vvrmgfb9grl" class=""><img id="ngmzo9vvrmgfb9grl" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2anmgdzXM7jXBBCKZC7nXs7ozQbl1poKnULnoHrVKeq0Y6dXb51ioZnHcDreNmbp.jpeg" alt="Headed off the feed the livestock" title="Headed off the feed the livestock" 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/2anmgdzXM7jXBBCKZC7nXs7ozQbl1poKnULnoHrVKeq0Y6dXb51ioZnHcDreNmbp.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion<br></h3><p>Forestry won’t be right for every farm, but it’s certainly worth a look. With generous new grants, clearer rules, and the growing push for sustainability, there’s never been a better time to explore it properly.</p><p>For some, it’ll be a way to secure a steady, tax-free income. For others, it’ll be about improving shelter, soil, or water quality. And for many, it’s simply about leaving the land in better shape for the next generation.</p><p>These sessions won’t tell you what to do, but they’ll give you the tools to decide for yourself. Straight answers, real figures, and a chance to see where forestry might fit into your future.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Forestry Information Events 2025: Opportunities for Farmers

Retired man watching beef cattle in a field

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>For years, the rural pub was where the real life of the countryside happened. It wasn’t just about pulling a pint, it was about pulling people together. Farmers would drift in after the mart, neighbours caught up on local news, and a good story could travel quicker than the parish newsletter. But across Ireland, those doors are closing. And when a pub shuts in a rural parish, it’s not just a business lost, it’s often the beating heart of the community gone quiet.&nbsp;</p><figure id="figure-6afrz9u7eomfzk6dua" class=""><img id="6afrz9u7eomfzk6dua" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/21O8RF76jEfHgVjBPaFEZIvzdlTyvhAT3FEUR2nbfnLPHgNPExdCfuhRTjhPUsdj.jpeg" alt="Eyries, Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork, Ireland." title="Eyries, Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork, 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/21O8RF76jEfHgVjBPaFEZIvzdlTyvhAT3FEUR2nbfnLPHgNPExdCfuhRTjhPUsdj.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Numbers Don’t Lie</h3><p>Back in the early 2000s, Ireland had over 7,000 pubs. Today, it’s fewer than 6,000. In counties like Leitrim, Roscommon, and Mayo, whole parishes have been left without a single local. For farmers, who already spend most days working alone, that loss cuts deeper than it might in a town where cafés, clubs, and bars are still on every street corner.</p><figure id="figure-9eaewege4mfzk7o9x" class=""><img id="9eaewege4mfzk7o9x" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/25NHtU3dNp5Fg5XsprfKzihIid6DGcRjnVHcFe3JbKbLooYLlHO6DE4GkFf1LHmW.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/25NHtU3dNp5Fg5XsprfKzihIid6DGcRjnVHcFe3JbKbLooYLlHO6DE4GkFf1LHmW.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farming Is Lonely Work</h3><p>Anyone who has milked cows in the dark at 5 a.m., or sat in a tractor cab for hours on end, knows farming can be a lonely job. The pub was often the antidote, a way to break the day and see another face. For some, it was the only real conversation outside of family all week.</p><p>That matters even more when you look at who is farming today. Almost one-third of Irish farmers are over 65, and only a small fraction are under 35. In many rural parishes, especially in the west, the farming population is older and living alone, with children moved away or working off-farm. Without a local meeting place, that isolation bites harder.</p><p>When that space disappears, the loneliness grows. And it’s not just about missing the craic. Loneliness has real effects: higher stress, poorer sleep, even physical health problems. Farmers have one of the toughest jobs in the country, and without those small outlets, the weight of it can become much harder to carry.</p><figure id="figure-hn16mheh5mfzkdz34" class=""><img id="hn16mheh5mfzkdz34" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/15kTKSwun69IN5MmPlvMfhJuTtpmW5nxkIDp3d8lOcifDE1LHATApw8a6lYGQpJt.jpeg" alt="A Serene and Picturesque Pastoral Landscape Featuring Sheep Grazing Peacefully by a Lakeside" title="A Serene and Picturesque Pastoral Landscape Featuring Sheep Grazing Peacefully by a Lakeside" 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/15kTKSwun69IN5MmPlvMfhJuTtpmW5nxkIDp3d8lOcifDE1LHATApw8a6lYGQpJt.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why It’s Happening</h3><p><br>The reasons are fairly clear:</p><ul><li><strong>Drink-driving laws:</strong> are stricter, and rightly so, but with little or no rural transport, a night out just isn’t worth the risk.</li><li><strong>Younger generations:</strong> are socialising differently, often in towns or at home.</li><li><strong>Running costs:</strong> insurance, heating, and staffing — have pushed many small publicans past breaking point.</li><li><strong>Demographics: </strong>with fewer young families in parishes, there simply aren’t enough customers left to keep every pub going.</li></ul><p><br>It’s a mix of all these factors, but the end result is the same: fewer doors open, fewer lights on, fewer places to meet.</p><figure id="figure-4qrjdyf7omfzkg0jh" class=""><img id="4qrjdyf7omfzkg0jh" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3aob0CA2478sbXDkfpX5FkcNcuw2AAMLeB2uZxjawMD2GbZOdRzZ36zoS375V88b.jpeg" alt="Connemara national park, Ireland" title="Connemara national park, 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/3aob0CA2478sbXDkfpX5FkcNcuw2AAMLeB2uZxjawMD2GbZOdRzZ36zoS375V88b.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What’s Really Lost</h3><p><br>When a rural pub closes, it’s more than the pint that disappears.</p><ul><li><strong>The safety net:</strong> If an older farmer didn’t show up for a few nights, someone would notice and call in. That quiet safety net is gone in many places.</li><li><strong>Community traditions:</strong> From sing-songs to card games, stories were shared and culture kept alive. Silence doesn’t fill that gap.</li><li><strong>Everyday connection: </strong>After a long week, just having someone to talk to about the weather, the price of meal, or the match on Sunday was a release valve.<br></li></ul><p>Without it, the week feels longer, and the isolation heavier.</p><figure id="figure-krbji3ec3mfzkntzo" class=""><img id="krbji3ec3mfzkntzo" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/3araYFne57WogW2OAOMhnbgJLHvlHpGlanz6WBFpqSlUG7Z8glIykUgwv53bkHuI.jpeg" alt="Molls Gap, County Kerry, Ireland" title="Molls Gap, County Kerry, 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/3araYFne57WogW2OAOMhnbgJLHvlHpGlanz6WBFpqSlUG7Z8glIykUgwv53bkHuI.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What’s Filling the Gap?</h3><p>Some communities are finding ways to fill the space. GAA clubs are stepping up. Parish halls are busier. Discussion groups and coffee mornings, often run through marts or co-ops, give farmers a reason to meet. They’re good outlets, but many say it’s not quite the same as calling into the local, no questions asked, no schedule needed.</p><figure id="figure-v28yet5y8mfzkpnxb" class=""><img id="v28yet5y8mfzkpnxb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/179JXRlRgGgpIG4q1gaBr3jd1xuLrbclmR4zQBxV1gwXbihi71at4i5hzqanzLxd.jpeg" alt="Goal post for Hurling" title="Goal post for Hurling" 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/179JXRlRgGgpIG4q1gaBr3jd1xuLrbclmR4zQBxV1gwXbihi71at4i5hzqanzLxd.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Looking Ahead</h3><p>The rural pub isn’t coming back in the same way it once was. But what it offered, connection, company, and a place to belong, still matters, maybe now more than ever. Rural transport could make a difference. So could better funding for community hubs. But most of all, we need to keep talking openly about loneliness and mental health in farming.</p><p>Because when the pub goes, something else needs to step into that space. Otherwise, too many farmers risk slipping into silence, unnoticed.</p><figure id="figure-zmq7tvuya4mfzkrjfr" class=""><img id="zmq7tvuya4mfzkrjfr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/19NFwZA5TIeh4URbz3FiQN1JFSifvkdpzy5VB3jK7WkxP8iE7pQqFXcxFpW6BUFD.jpeg" alt="Happy senior farmer showing his organic potatoes." title="Happy senior farmer showing his organic potatoes." 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/19NFwZA5TIeh4URbz3FiQN1JFSifvkdpzy5VB3jK7WkxP8iE7pQqFXcxFpW6BUFD.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The pint was never the point. It was the chat at the counter, the neighbour who’d look out for you, the laughter that reminded you life wasn’t just work and worry. As more pubs close, rural Ireland has a choice: either let that connection fade, or find new ways to keep it alive.</p><p>Farming has always been about resilience, but resilience doesn’t grow in isolation. It grows in community.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

The Decline of the Rural Pub and Its Impact on Farm Communities

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>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.</p><figure id="figure-1lbdywo66jmfwgbmou" class=""><img id="1lbdywo66jmfwgbmou" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/9mQg83CeEqwCxKuHfpQmMmzzs9H7BZGpbuqn4SUmPjtvDfUiueTwATBAhk4d0pCH.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/9mQg83CeEqwCxKuHfpQmMmzzs9H7BZGpbuqn4SUmPjtvDfUiueTwATBAhk4d0pCH.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Big Numbers</h3><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><figure id="figure-jg1r2xcbefmfwgj33o" class=""><img id="jg1r2xcbefmfwgj33o" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3bBvqqIeG4RDefUENWXPaLIZ9VqlG1v6g8JKkC0uOHCRxZpybPVuyDlr4ImC6fbr.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3bBvqqIeG4RDefUENWXPaLIZ9VqlG1v6g8JKkC0uOHCRxZpybPVuyDlr4ImC6fbr.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Machinery, Competitions and Community</h3><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><figure id="figure-wfso3h48onmfwgkpu1" class=""><img id="wfso3h48onmfwgkpu1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1bl5QO9X3glis2xZ4XsuRrW8XuwwBnLADoqhK0f488eKFKwZupn6Xn0AbYjDFGYQ.jpeg" alt="New Blue Farm Tractors for Sale" title="New Blue Farm Tractors for Sale" 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/1bl5QO9X3glis2xZ4XsuRrW8XuwwBnLADoqhK0f488eKFKwZupn6Xn0AbYjDFGYQ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Weather Factor</h3><p>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.</p><figure id="figure-kr5488ftbrmfwgnz5o" class=""><img id="kr5488ftbrmfwgnz5o" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4P4mWkPDBUpytzIfYCnijQKMHSpxW6PEFd8yfMS1zavdx3Phzzwyx2rfB9eDtBRp.jpeg" alt="rain texture on a black background, can be used in overlay modes" title="rain texture on a black background, can be used in overlay modes" 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/4P4mWkPDBUpytzIfYCnijQKMHSpxW6PEFd8yfMS1zavdx3Phzzwyx2rfB9eDtBRp.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Issues That Stood Out</h3><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><figure id="figure-9awa9a6x98mfwgpu47" class=""><img id="9awa9a6x98mfwgpu47" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1fXLgzUwBS5Ct8SEnflaOkUiYBE14pcR8jyKo6WgMeFeawctpKYYLdUKMm54GOEG.jpeg" alt="The Custom House in Dublin, historical building in ireland, government building, famous place of dublin" title="The Custom House in Dublin, historical building in ireland, government building, famous place of dublin" 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/1fXLgzUwBS5Ct8SEnflaOkUiYBE14pcR8jyKo6WgMeFeawctpKYYLdUKMm54GOEG.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Innovation and Future Thinking</h3><p>One of the strongest parts of Ploughing 2025 was the Innovation Arena and the new tech on display.</p><ul><li><strong>Herdwatch</strong> 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.</li><li><strong>ScanInsights</strong>, 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.</li><li><strong>GlasPort Bio’s GasAbate system</strong> 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.</li><li><strong>Drone spraying</strong> 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.</li><li><strong>Brothers Robert and David Beattie</strong> 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.</li></ul><p><br>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.</p><figure id="figure-0pr5ade98kmfwguw24" class=""><img id="0pr5ade98kmfwguw24" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5m2XnBeQmJZQrnH2hE5CA1u6Kt5DnMQPYU0JJ3q4rvp2P4HFhaXrU5TdO7p5sIua.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5m2XnBeQmJZQrnH2hE5CA1u6Kt5DnMQPYU0JJ3q4rvp2P4HFhaXrU5TdO7p5sIua.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Takeaways for Farmers</h3><p>The Ploughing always sends farmers home with something to think about, and this year was no different:</p><ul><li><strong>Policy pressure is here to stay. </strong>The mood on CAP, nitrates, and Mercosur was uneasy, and farmers know incomes are tied as much to Brussels as to the yard.</li><li><strong>Technology is getting real.</strong> 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.”</li><li><strong>Community is still the backbone.</strong> 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.</li><li><strong>Reputation matters. </strong>The underage drinking issue risks undermining the family, friendly image of the Ploughing. Expect tighter rules next year.</li><li><strong>Practical innovation draws farmers in.</strong> Farmers weren’t fussed about gadgets for show. They wanted things that save time, cut losses, or keep them compliant.</li></ul><figure id="figure-pp06c8m87imfwgyf5j" class=""><img id="pp06c8m87imfwgyf5j" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/36yJfgFYl6Z2Yvk5hATylhF0ibDvIPzpBib0oZsfW5Z9xxJUYLf2kEmybFnnuwba.jpeg" alt="Home is where my cows are" title="Home is where my cows are" 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/36yJfgFYl6Z2Yvk5hATylhF0ibDvIPzpBib0oZsfW5Z9xxJUYLf2kEmybFnnuwba.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>And that’s why, for all its rain and mud, the Ploughing remains the heartbeat of rural Ireland.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Insights from Ploughing 2025: Lessons Learned in Screggan

Farmer using a straw bale as a desk in a field

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Buying machinery has always carried an element of risk, but until recently, it was usually a question of whether the tractor had a hidden gearbox fault, not whether the tractor existed at all. That’s changing. Across Ireland, farmers are being stung by bogus ads for machinery that looks like a bargain online but never arrives once money changes hands.</p><p>Fraudsters are targeting farmers through fake websites, social media pop-ups, and slick adverts that look professional on the surface. They know machinery is expensive, and that when something breaks down, many of us need a replacement quickly. The end result? Farmers losing thousands of euro with very little chance of getting it back.</p><figure id="figure-5ugtmodhmfnw61sp" class=""><img id="5ugtmodhmfnw61sp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2eY4p2w7xA3NOqJmUn9nZJclCN46mml0MWQf45LMWIvuQFAGhXhqJd9Q7PqB9ZiD.jpeg" alt="Every farm needs a tractor" title="Every farm needs a tractor" 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/2eY4p2w7xA3NOqJmUn9nZJclCN46mml0MWQf45LMWIvuQFAGhXhqJd9Q7PqB9ZiD.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Real Losses on Irish Farms</h3><p>This isn’t just a story in the papers, it’s happening in parishes up and down the country:</p><ul><li>A poultry farmer was conned out of €49,000 after paying for machinery through what looked like a legitimate online seller. The invoice had a logo, the site looked polished, but the “dealer” vanished once the transfer cleared.</li><li>In Cork, one farmer was nearly taken in by a Facebook Marketplace ad for a Ford 5610 tractor. He paid €1,000 up front, after being shown convincing videos and a story about transport from the Netherlands. When the “seller” pushed for more money, alarm bells rang. Luckily, he cut it off before losing more.</li><li>In Sligo, beef and sheep farmers talk openly about neighbours losing €4,000–€5,000 on tractors and balers that were priced at “half the going rate”. The ads always looked tempting, but once the money was sent, there was no sign of delivery.</li></ul><p><br>The amounts vary, but the story is the same: deals too good to be true, money sent by transfer, and nothing delivered.</p><figure id="figure-ksi85fsngvmfnw8hv2" class=""><img id="ksi85fsngvmfnw8hv2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/18LYmJOh4l8ljozn8ysKmCJ6rfiRq4jXJnxpBWz3QI5kTbSt7FDKhZNaHDgRHrOB.jpeg" alt="Production, farmer and man with tablet by tractor for schedule, checklist and research on industry. Farming, website and male person with tech for agriculture, agro app and reading weather info" title="Production, farmer and man with tablet by tractor for schedule, checklist and research on industry. Farming, website and male person with tech for agriculture, agro app and reading weather info" 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/18LYmJOh4l8ljozn8ysKmCJ6rfiRq4jXJnxpBWz3QI5kTbSt7FDKhZNaHDgRHrOB.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why Farmers Are Being Targeted</h3><p>Fraudsters understand the way we do business:</p><ul><li><strong>Bargain culture: </strong>Farmers are always on the lookout for a deal. With margins tight, a tractor or baler offered at €5,000 less than market price is tempting.</li><li><strong>Urgency: </strong>When a machine breaks in peak season, we need a quick fix. Scammers use that urgency, insisting that the machine “must be sold today” or “is already promised to someone else.”</li><li><strong>Trust: </strong>Rural Ireland is built on handshake deals. Scammers lean into that by sounding friendly, offering photos or videos, and mimicking the style of genuine dealers.</li><li><strong>Payment traps:</strong> Direct transfers are the fraudsters’ favourite method. Once the money leaves the account, it’s nearly impossible to claw back.</li></ul><figure id="figure-tfkl1e427omfnwaj3l" class=""><img id="tfkl1e427omfnwaj3l" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/31Y1oxFOExXnMLuZPFL0S5p1MBViENxOqfgTVT7KAV0YNie6UZevlQo99nKjZbkQ.jpeg" alt="View from the Antrim plateau towards Ballygally and Cairndhu" title="View from the Antrim plateau towards Ballygally and Cairndhu" 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/31Y1oxFOExXnMLuZPFL0S5p1MBViENxOqfgTVT7KAV0YNie6UZevlQo99nKjZbkQ.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Scale of the Problem</h3><p>Fraud teams report that more farmers are falling victim to these scams every year. Pop-up ads on social media are a common entry point. Fake websites are made to look almost identical to real dealers, sometimes with only a single letter changed in the web address.</p><p>Losses range from €1,000 deposits on small kit to €30,000–€50,000 hits on tractors and combines. These are real figures, not scare stories. The fact that scammers are moving up the value chain, from small implements to high-value machinery,&nbsp; shows how confident they’ve become.</p><figure id="figure-f7k6iymtf8mfnwcyte" class=""><img id="f7k6iymtf8mfnwcyte" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/25SEmYnvZERX4xU4U1biabSRPqHsDnFliB2eXBRZVdducSUYkKdh3iWDz3SPiteB.jpeg" alt="Salesman presenting engine specification and power of the tractor machine to the buyer. Investing in agriculture." title="Salesman presenting engine specification and power of the tractor machine to the buyer. Investing 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/25SEmYnvZERX4xU4U1biabSRPqHsDnFliB2eXBRZVdducSUYkKdh3iWDz3SPiteB.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Practical Tips for Spotting Bogus Ads</h3><p>Here are some straight-talk checks to run before handing over money:</p><p><strong>1. Check the seller properly:</strong></p><ul><li>Look up their business address on Google Maps. If it’s a random field or an office block with no machinery yard, walk away.</li><li>Ring their landline, not just a mobile. A genuine dealer will always pick up or call you back.</li></ul><p><strong>2. Insist on viewing or proof:</strong></p><ul><li>Always try to see the machine. If distance is an issue, ask for a personalised video showing the serial number, specific features, or even today’s newspaper in the frame.</li><li>If excuses pile up about why you can’t see it, treat it as a red flag.</li></ul><p><strong>3. Take your time:</strong></p><ul><li>Don’t let urgency force you into paying. Fraudsters will say, “I have another buyer lined up” or “it’s going on the boat tomorrow.” Genuine sellers don’t operate like that.</li></ul><p><strong>4. Use secure payment methods:</strong></p><ul><li>Credit or debit cards offer far more protection than bank transfers. If a seller refuses to accept anything but transfer, be suspicious.</li><li>If you do transfer, confirm the account name matches the dealer’s business.</li></ul><p><strong>5. Look for sloppy mistakes:</strong></p><ul><li>Fake sites often look shiny but slip up with spelling, poor grammar, or photos that appear on multiple ads. If a John Deere tractor photo is also being used for a “Massey Ferguson ad,” you know it’s a scam.</li></ul><p><strong>6. Ask around:</strong></p><ul><li>Mention the deal in your local WhatsApp group, or at the mart. Chances are, someone else has already spotted the same ad. Farmers are quick to warn each other when something’s off.</li></ul><figure id="figure-1pugs1c4rmfnwliwk" class=""><img id="1pugs1c4rmfnwliwk" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/35EItD5s6JzYObd5oVAprALTXwqEGyLBciHDFdeSfiComBvM6nhoX3sJq3sxnt7a.jpeg" alt="Scams in the WWW" title="Scams in the WWW" 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/35EItD5s6JzYObd5oVAprALTXwqEGyLBciHDFdeSfiComBvM6nhoX3sJq3sxnt7a.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What to Do If You’re Caught<br>&nbsp;</h3><ul><li><strong>Contact your bank immediately:</strong> Timing is everything. In some cases, quick action can freeze a payment.</li><li><strong>Save everything:</strong> Invoices, emails, WhatsApp chats, photos, even screenshots of the original ad.</li><li><strong>Report it to Gardaí:</strong> As well as to the platform hosting the ad.</li><li><strong>Let neighbours know:</strong>&nbsp;Farmers are often embarrassed to admit being scammed, but sharing your experience could stop someone else losing money.</li></ul><figure id="figure-otalexoyfmfnwntv4" class=""><img id="otalexoyfmfnwntv4" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cSd87TG1RtsQdjJMwoCVBGrx2X51SNBESQrInouiUBE6SpFLpsDrpxK6MJZfTIj.jpeg" alt="Keeping track of everything on the farm with technology" title="Keeping track of everything on the farm with technology" 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/2cSd87TG1RtsQdjJMwoCVBGrx2X51SNBESQrInouiUBE6SpFLpsDrpxK6MJZfTIj.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Machinery fraud is on the rise in Ireland because scammers know the stakes: machines are expensive, and the pressure to get a deal is constant. But with a cool head, you can protect yourself. If a deal looks too good, slow down. Check, double-check, and ask around.</p><p>Losing out on a bargain is one thing. Losing €5,000 or €50,000 is another. Stay sharp, stay sceptical, and make sure the only thing in your yard is real machinery, not regret.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Protecting Irish Farmers from Bogus Machinery Ads

He who holds the feed bucket holds the power

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>If you’re farming on your own in Ireland, you’ll know it’s not for the faint-hearted. You’re part herdsman, part mechanic, part accountant, and sometimes even part vet, all in the same day. This is how many Irish farms have always been run, but in 2025 the strain is showing. Labour is scarce, help is costly, and more often than not, the whole thing falls back on one set of shoulders, yours.</p><figure id="figure-gytj6uixmlmfnrhdcw"><img id="gytj6uixmlmfnrhdcw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/21rofIhal5GjjMnrZrybRSUNQnhGkr22S0t952Imd1ikuOzx7L1KACUugXxCsFIL.jpeg" alt="A farmer shearing a sheep in Ireland" title="A farmer shearing a sheep in 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="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/21rofIhal5GjjMnrZrybRSUNQnhGkr22S0t952Imd1ikuOzx7L1KACUugXxCsFIL.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Scale of the Problem</h3><p>Irish farming still runs mostly on family hands. About 87% of all people working on farms are either the holder or a family member, with only 13% coming from regular outside workers. That’s very different from many other countries where hired labour is more common.</p><p>But the age profile is where the real squeeze is. The average farm holder is now 59.4 years old, and nearly 38% are already over 65. Just 4.3% are under 35. That’s not just a statistic; it means fewer younger farmers in the yard and fewer neighbours of the same age to call in when the work piles up.</p><p>And hiring isn’t exactly straightforward. A full-time worker costs €32,000–€38,000 in wages, but when you add PRSI, insurance, and maybe accommodation, it easily passes €35,000 a year. On a dairy farm that might be barely manageable, but on a suckler farm, where average incomes hover around €10,000,&nbsp; it’s completely off the table.</p><figure id="figure-wv5jvgwa3jmfnroaw2" class=""><img id="wv5jvgwa3jmfnroaw2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/36wVX1GitfU9AGtqPOdYDLIDmBIF2lnxs6JsFefsDfKHLbXauuJHaLR0Yvmfe6pE.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/36wVX1GitfU9AGtqPOdYDLIDmBIF2lnxs6JsFefsDfKHLbXauuJHaLR0Yvmfe6pE.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Day-to-Day Strain</h3><p>Ask any one-person farmer and they’ll tell you: the days are long. An 80-cow herd means about 160 milking sessions, with calf rearing, dosing, grass measuring, and paperwork squeezed in between. A good week can still run to over 50 hours, and that’s without a breakdown or a burst pipe in the middle of it.</p><p>It also makes everyday life tricky. Want to get away for a wedding, or even a hospital appointment? That can mean weeks of planning just to cover a few hours. For many, “time off” is something that happens to other people.</p><figure id="figure-2h265yuya8mfnrq26w" class=""><img id="2h265yuya8mfnrq26w" 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>How Farmers Are Coping</h3><p>Despite all that, farmers are nothing if not resourceful. Some of the most common fixes we see include:</p><ul><li><strong>Contracting out the heavy work</strong>; Over 85% of first-cut silage is now done by contractors, along with slurry, reseeding, and hedge cutting. It saves time, diesel, and the bother of keeping big machines updated.</li><li><strong>Trimming stock numbers;</strong> Some dairy farmers are pulling back by 10–15 cows. It takes pressure off without hitting profit too hard. On beef farms, it often means stepping back from marginal ground.</li><li><strong>Investing in small labour-savers;</strong> Not everything has to be high-tech. A backing gate, automatic take-offs, or even just better yard lighting can cut accidents and shave hours off the week. A few thousand spent here can pay itself back quickly.</li><li><strong>Leaning on neighbours;</strong> Informal swaps, a relief milking, a feed run, checking calves, are still what keep many one-person farms ticking when life throws up something unexpected.</li></ul><figure id="figure-x7bs0bq31mfnruc4a" class=""><img id="x7bs0bq31mfnruc4a" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cijux4M6gQrYPzr1X7TavNvYlmJORA80Lk5VDFhY2rlJgIu17SolV6BjV2JcxLs.jpeg" alt="Aerial View of the A5 Curr Road from Omagh to Ballygawley County Tyrone Northern Ireland" title="Aerial View of the A5 Curr Road from Omagh to Ballygawley County Tyrone 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://cdn.durable.co/getty/2cijux4M6gQrYPzr1X7TavNvYlmJORA80Lk5VDFhY2rlJgIu17SolV6BjV2JcxLs.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Policy Gap</h3><p>Rules and paperwork keep growing. The nitrates derogation cut to 220 kg N/ha in 2024 has meant more slurry storage, more planning, and more time at the desk. Yes, TAMS grants help with some investments, but grants don’t add hours to the day.</p><p>Succession is another weak spot. Fewer than half of Irish farmers have a formal plan in place, and with so many in their 60s and 70s, the question of “who’s next?” is getting harder to dodge.</p><figure id="figure-2m6dsbwmaumfnrvckb" class=""><img id="2m6dsbwmaumfnrvckb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2o28PyARpMGqifei83CI6cLctiAWEr2qMofFPyPgyhPmOEOMWMqjNDNqDr0WrUCh.jpeg" alt="Can you tell me where my mom is?" title="Can you tell me where my mom is?" 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/2o28PyARpMGqifei83CI6cLctiAWEr2qMofFPyPgyhPmOEOMWMqjNDNqDr0WrUCh.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What the Next Few Years Look Like</h3><p>Looking ahead, the picture is mixed;</p><ul><li><strong>The age gap will widen;</strong> With nearly 38% of farms held by someone over 65 and so few younger farmers coming through, the one-person model will only get more demanding. Ireland’s wider workforce is ageing too, so relief labour won’t get easier to find.</li><li><strong>Farm incomes are improving; </strong>However, they are doing so unevenly. After a tough 2023, average farm income climbed back to just under €36,000 in 2024. Teagasc expects that to rise again in 2025, with averages around €48,500. Dairy looks set to remain strong, and cattle-rearing farms could jump to €25,000 (an 85% lift), but many smaller beef and sheep farms will still be tight.</li><li><strong>Uncertainty remains;</strong> Around two-thirds of farmers say they’ll keep going for the next five years, but nearly a quarter are unsure. That hesitation says a lot, the workload is wearing, and plenty are weighing whether it’s still worth it.</li></ul><figure id="figure-lri0ewpionmfnryej1" class=""><img id="lri0ewpionmfnryej1" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/35UhwaxM3tY1VrwhDlVM3cct35uG8HK0MshpGNV3DP4EMG9rCCdi5TBaECjd2wMi.jpeg" alt="Rear view of a senior man looking at dairy cattle" title="Rear view of a senior man looking at dairy cattle" 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/35UhwaxM3tY1VrwhDlVM3cct35uG8HK0MshpGNV3DP4EMG9rCCdi5TBaECjd2wMi.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Ireland’s one-person farms are still the backbone of the countryside, but the strain is real and growing. The age profile is climbing, the costs of hired help are steep, and the rules are piling up.</p><p>That doesn’t mean the model can’t work. Contracting out the heavy jobs, trimming the system to fit the hours, stacking up small labour-savers, and leaning on the neighbour network all help. But longer-term, the question isn’t just about surviving another year, it’s about whether the next generation will be there to carry the work forward.</p><p>The money might be improving in parts of the sector, but the hours aren’t. For the one-person farmer, that means planning smart, protecting your time, and thinking ahead, because no one can do it all forever.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

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