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<h3>Introduction</h3><p>From a distance, food looks simple. You walk into a shop, pick up milk, meat, vegetables, it’s all there, every day, consistent and available. But from a farming perspective, getting that food to the shelf is anything but simple.</p><p>It’s a process that starts months, and often years. before the point of purchase, and it involves far more steps, cost, and coordination than most people realise.</p><figure id="figure-07q8e0k449mo7mav39" class=""><img id="07q8e0k449mo7mav39" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1651525669944-00de65d3b8a5?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxmb29kJTIwcHJvZHVjdGlvbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTUxMTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a box of apples" title="a box of apples" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1651525669944-00de65d3b8a5?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxmb29kJTIwcHJvZHVjdGlvbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTUxMTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Food production starts long before it reaches the shelf<br></h3><p>Take beef production in Ireland. From birth to finished animal, it typically takes 18 to 24 months, depending on the system. That includes:</p><p>Rearings:</p><ul><li>Grazing across multiple seasons.</li><li>Winter feeding.</li><li>Finishing before slaughter.</li></ul><p>Pig production is faster, but still time-dependent:</p><ul><li>A gestation period of around 115 days.</li><li>Followed by 5 to 6 months of rearing before processing.</li></ul><p>Milk production operates on a different cycle, but it is still tightly structured around:</p><ul><li>Spring calving.</li><li>Grass growth.</li><li>Seasonal conditions.</li></ul><p><br>What appears on a shelf today reflects decisions made months or years earlier.</p><figure id="figure-t67ijwgzfemo7merhq" class=""><img id="t67ijwgzfemo7merhq" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1652211955967-99c892925469?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxmb29kJTIwcHJvZHVjdGlvbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTUxMTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a group of men in a factory" title="a group of men in a factory" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1652211955967-99c892925469?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxmb29kJTIwcHJvZHVjdGlvbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTUxMTd8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Timing is critical — and often outside control&nbsp;</h3><p>Farming is built around timing, and much of that timing depends on conditions that can’t be controlled. Grass growth depends on:</p><ul><li>Soil temperature.</li><li>Rainfall.</li><li>Daylight.</li></ul><p><br>If spring is delayed or ground conditions are poor, grazing is pushed back.<br>If land is too wet, machinery cannot travel.<br>If a weather window is missed, output can be reduced.</p><p>These are not minor disruptions, they directly affect production levels and costs.</p><figure id="figure-un4hu0wudamo7mp82f" class=""><img id="un4hu0wudamo7mp82f" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1683592042069-cb631de451c2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxmYXJtJTIweWFyZHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTU0Njh8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a herd of cattle standing on top of a dirt field" title="a herd of cattle standing on top of a dirt 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1683592042069-cb631de451c2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxmYXJtJTIweWFyZHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTU0Njh8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The product doesn’t go straight from farm to shelf</h3><p>Once food leaves the farm, it moves through a series of stages before it reaches the consumer. Take milk as an example:</p><ul><li>It is usually collected every 48 hours, though this can extend at certain times of year.</li><li>Transported to a processing facility.</li><li>Pasteurised, packaged, and distributed.</li></ul><p><br>For meat, the process is longer:</p><ul><li>Animals are transported to processing plants.</li><li>Slaughtered and processed into cuts.</li><li>Packaged, chilled, and distributed.</li></ul><p><br>Each stage requires:</p><ul><li>Labour.</li><li>Energy.</li><li>Transport.</li><li>Infrastructure.</li></ul><p><br>And each stage adds cost.</p><figure id="figure-taikdr9gitmo7mu024" class=""><img id="taikdr9gitmo7mu024" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1685663186894-d5cceae87a4c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8RkFSTSUyMFlBUkR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE2MDA0fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a herd of cattle standing on a dirt road" title="a herd of cattle standing on a dirt road" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1685663186894-d5cceae87a4c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8RkFSTSUyMFlBUkR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE2MDA0fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Transport is a critical link in the system</h3><p>Every part of the food chain depends on movement. Transport is required for:</p><ul><li>Delivering feed and inputs to farms.</li><li>Moving animals to factories.</li><li>Distributing finished products to retailers.</li></ul><p><br>This system operates continuously. If transport is disrupted, whether due to fuel issues, labour shortages or supply chain problems, it quickly affects availability.</p><figure id="figure-ksla4el1lcmo7mvwif" class=""><img id="ksla4el1lcmo7mvwif" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1698324719627-4ce8f348c691?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8SVJJU0glMjBGQVJNJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjcxNTQ0MHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a herd of cows standing on top of a lush green field" title="a herd of cows standing on top of a lush green 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1698324719627-4ce8f348c691?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8SVJJU0glMjBGQVJNJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjcxNTQ0MHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Fresh food operates on tight timelines<br></h3><p>Another key point is that there is limited buffer in the system. Fresh products such as milk, meat and produce:</p><ul><li>Have short shelf lives.</li><li>Require refrigeration.</li><li>Move quickly through processing and retail.</li></ul><p><br>Supermarkets rely on frequent deliveries rather than long-term storage.</p><p>That means disruptions can become visible within days.</p><figure id="figure-j92a2kj16mmo7mzy1c" class=""><img id="j92a2kj16mmo7mzy1c" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592085198739-ffcad7f36b54?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8Zm9vZCUyMHByb2R1Y3Rpb24lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE2Mjg3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="blue and brown metal bridge" title="blue and brown metal bridge" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592085198739-ffcad7f36b54?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOHx8Zm9vZCUyMHByb2R1Y3Rpb24lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE2Mjg3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Costs build at every stage</h3><p>From the farm to the shelf, costs accumulate at each step:</p><ul><li>Production (feed, fertiliser, labour, veterinary care).</li><li>Transport (fuel and logistics).</li><li>Processing (energy, staffing, facilities).</li><li>Packaging and compliance.</li><li>Distribution and retail operations.</li></ul><p>By the time food reaches the consumer, it reflects the combined cost of this entire system. While the final price is set at retail level, it is influenced by multiple stages along the chain.</p><figure id="figure-69xlckfdt6mo7n5o6e" class=""><img id="69xlckfdt6mo7n5o6e" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1775830443507-2a047e6eb49a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMXx8SVJJU0glMjBTVVBFUk1BUktFVHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTY0MTB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Fresh produce displayed in a grocery store" title="Fresh produce displayed in a grocery store" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1775830443507-2a047e6eb49a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMXx8SVJJU0glMjBTVVBFUk1BUktFVHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzY3MTY0MTB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The system is efficient — but tightly balanced</h3><p>Modern food production is highly efficient. Farms operate at scale, processors run at high capacity, and supply chains are designed to move quickly. But that efficiency comes with a trade-off, there is very little spare capacity.</p><p>There is:</p><ul><li>Limited storage.</li><li>Tight scheduling.</li><li>Constant movement.</li></ul><p><br>The system works well when everything is functioning. But when one part slows down, the effects can move quickly through the chain.</p><figure id="figure-y158ivdosmo7n7wea" class=""><img id="y158ivdosmo7n7wea" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1666015886464-7024656736e8?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxBZ3JpY3VsdHVyZSUyMENvbnN1bHRpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE1MTA5fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a tractor in a field" title="a tractor in a 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1666015886464-7024656736e8?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxBZ3JpY3VsdHVyZSUyMENvbnN1bHRpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE1MTA5fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>So, does the consumer understand it?</h3><p>Not fully, and that’s understandable.</p><p>Most of this happens out of sight:</p><ul><li>Long production timelines.</li><li>Narrow windows for key tasks.</li><li>Multiple stages between farm and shelf.</li><li>A cost structure that extends far beyond the farm.</li></ul><p>From the outside, food appears immediate. From the inside, it is a coordinated system that depends on timing, conditions, infrastructure, and constant movement.</p><figure id="figure-hz4ismk1p8mo7naf3k" class=""><img id="hz4ismk1p8mo7naf3k" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1628102491629-778571d893a3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxHcm9jZXJ5JTIwc2hvcHBpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE2NzkxfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="woman in white coat holding green shopping cart" title="woman in white coat holding green shopping cart" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1628102491629-778571d893a3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxHcm9jZXJ5JTIwc2hvcHBpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2NzE2NzkxfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Food doesn’t begin in a shop. It begins months, and often years, earlier, in systems that are carefully managed but constantly exposed to change. By the time it reaches the shelf, it has passed through multiple stages, each adding cost and complexity.</p><p> Understanding that doesn’t change what consumers expect. But it does explain what it takes to meet those expectations, every single day.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Bridging the Gap: Understanding Food Production from Farm to Table

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Pig farming in Ireland doesn’t always get the same attention as dairy or beef, but in terms of intensity and output, it is one of the most specialised sectors in Irish agriculture.</p><p>It is also one of the most exposed, shaped by global markets, high input costs, and a system that leaves very little room to slow down.</p><figure id="figure-ctons49rxmo0gdww6" class=""><img id="ctons49rxmo0gdww6" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1687114835978-3d38a3b1808e?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxwaWdzJTIwaW4lMjBpcmVsYW5kJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MTkxNHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a pig that is standing in the grass" title="a pig that is standing in the grass" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1687114835978-3d38a3b1808e?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxwaWdzJTIwaW4lMjBpcmVsYW5kJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MTkxNHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A concentrated sector producing at scale</h3><p>Pig farming in Ireland is relatively small in terms of farm numbers, but large in terms of output.</p><p>In 2023:</p><ul><li>There were 1,748,377 pigs recorded nationally.</li><li>Spread across 1,468 farms with pigs.</li></ul><p><br>That reflects a sector that is highly concentrated, with production focused in a smaller number of specialised units alongside a wider group of smaller holdings.</p><p>Production is continuous, with pigs moving through a structured system year-round. This is not seasonal farming, it operates at a steady pace regardless of external conditions.</p><figure id="figure-0midb6tx2tmo0gg758" class=""><img id="0midb6tx2tmo0gg758" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1682525269849-f0816cab7716?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxQaWdzJTIwaW4lMjBpcmVsYW5kJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MjAzMXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a couple of pigs that are standing in the grass" title="a couple of pigs that are standing in the grass" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1682525269849-f0816cab7716?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxQaWdzJTIwaW4lMjBpcmVsYW5kJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MjAzMXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Strong export focus</h3><p>Irish pig farming is heavily reliant on export markets.</p><p>In 2024:</p><ul><li>Pigmeat exports were worth approximately €490 million.</li><li>Export volumes reached around 200,000 tonnes.</li></ul><p>This means the sector is directly tied to global demand, pricing, and market conditions. When international markets shift, Irish pig farmers feel it quickly.</p><figure id="figure-7twa7vowftmo0ghzjc" class=""><img id="7twa7vowftmo0ghzjc" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604135972804-24fc2d794185?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxQSUclMjBGQVJNJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MjEwM3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="white pig on brown soil" title="white pig on brown soil" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604135972804-24fc2d794185?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxQSUclMjBGQVJNJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MjEwM3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Performance and efficiency are central</h3><p>Efficiency is what underpins the sector. Recent performance data shows:</p><ul><li>27.9 pigs produced per sow per year.</li><li>2.26 litters per sow per year.</li><li>14.94 pigs born alive per litter.</li></ul><p><br>These figures reflect significant improvements over time and place Irish pig production among the more efficient systems internationally. But that efficiency comes with a trade-off, there is very little margin for error.</p><p>Small changes in performance or cost can have a large impact on overall output and profitability.</p><figure id="figure-496sf5hd6kmo0gk6ov" class=""><img id="496sf5hd6kmo0gk6ov" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1655307550020-3eb7efdef723?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxwaWclMjBmYXJtfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MjIwNnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a group of pigs in a pen" title="a group of pigs 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1655307550020-3eb7efdef723?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxwaWclMjBmYXJtfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI4MjIwNnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A system shaped by scale<br></h3><p>Pig farming in Ireland operates at scale.</p><p>Performance data from monitored herds shows an average of over 800 sows per farm, with some operations running well beyond that level.</p><p>Across the country, production is also geographically concentrated, with counties such as Cavan, Cork and Tipperary accounting for a significant share of the national herd. This reflects the capital-intensive nature of the sector and the level of investment required to remain competitive.</p><figure id="figure-i05nsdienfmo0glo86" class=""><img id="i05nsdienfmo0glo86" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1666023640184-6da0cafa484c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMXx8cGlnJTIwZmFybXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyODIyMDZ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a group of sheep grazing in a field with Guayabo National Monument in the background" title="a group of sheep grazing in a field with Guayabo National Monument in the background" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1666023640184-6da0cafa484c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMXx8cGlnJTIwZmFybXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyODIyMDZ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Environmental pressure is increasing</h3><p>Pig farming is also under growing environmental scrutiny.</p><p>Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland, with pig production contributing a portion of that total. Managing slurry and nutrients is a key challenge, particularly where farms must rely on spreading agreements with other landowners.</p><p>At the same time, research estimates the water footprint of Irish pig production at 2,537 litres per kilogram of pork, highlighting both the scale and efficiency of the system.</p><figure id="figure-jd6xndnd8imo0gn5fy" class=""><img id="jd6xndnd8imo0gn5fy" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1733080331194-e103372bce60?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzMnx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI3MzgzMHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="A grassy hill with a body of water in the background" title="A grassy hill with a body of water in the background" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1733080331194-e103372bce60?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzMnx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI3MzgzMHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A sector that cannot slow down</h3><p>One of the defining features of pig farming is that it is continuous.</p><p>Unlike grass-based systems:</p><ul><li>Animals are housed,</li><li>Production runs year-round.</li><li>Output cannot easily be reduced or paused.</li></ul><p><br>This means farmers cannot simply cut back when costs rise, The system keeps moving and so do the costs.</p><figure id="figure-ula34q9lymo0gpfvl" class=""><img id="ula34q9lymo0gpfvl" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1697027948105-902321ea8e29?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8cGlnJTIwZmFybXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyODIyMDZ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a couple of pigs standing next to each other" title="a couple of pigs standing next to each other" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1697027948105-902321ea8e29?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8cGlnJTIwZmFybXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyODIyMDZ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Exposure to volatility remains the biggest challenge<br></h3><p>Pig farming is closely tied to external factors, particularly:</p><ul><li>Feed markets.</li><li>Energy costs.</li><li>Global demand.</li></ul><p>When these shift, the impact is immediate. Recent years have shown how quickly conditions can change, and how exposed the sector is to sudden increases in input costs.</p><p>Even when prices recover, the underlying volatility remains.</p><figure id="figure-an6sd5em9rmo0gqu1l" class=""><img id="an6sd5em9rmo0gqu1l" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1716140238774-42cc9572c2a4?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8cGlnJTIwZmFybXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyODIyMDZ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a small pig standing next to a fence" title="a small pig standing next to a fence" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1716140238774-42cc9572c2a4?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8cGlnJTIwZmFybXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyODIyMDZ8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Pig farming in Ireland is a highly efficient and productive system. But it is also tightly balanced. It depends on consistency, in performance, in costs, and in markets. And when that consistency is disrupted, the effects are felt quickly. Because in pig farming, there is very little distance between efficiency and exposure.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.&nbsp;</p>

Pig Farming in Ireland: High Output, High Costs, and a Sector Under Pressure

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>When tractors and trucks began slowing traffic across the country,&nbsp; a lot of the focus was on disruption. But what sat behind it wasn’t just frustration about fuel. It was pressure, and not just financial pressure either.</p><p>Because in Irish farming, the numbers point to something much deeper.</p><figure id="figure-rwnhfb1rkqmo0b55gu" class=""><img id="rwnhfb1rkqmo0b55gu" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1632079438357-af0aaf60495c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxsb25lbHklMjBmYXJtZXJ8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczMTAwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="lonely farmer" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1632079438357-af0aaf60495c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxsb25lbHklMjBmYXJtZXJ8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczMTAwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Farming is already a high-pressure occupation</h3><p>Farming has long been one of the most demanding jobs in Ireland, but the pressure is not just physical.</p><p>Recent research found that 23.4% of farmers surveyed were considered at risk of suicide. The same work found that over half were experiencing moderate to extremely severe depression, while almost 40% were experiencing moderate to extremely severe anxiety and stress.</p><p>Those are not small numbers, they suggest a sector already carrying a significant mental load before any new shock arrives.</p><p>So when something like a sharp rise in fuel costs hits, it is not landing on a stable system, it is landing on one already under strain.</p><figure id="figure-uykej3mazmmo0b9jnb" class=""><img id="uykej3mazmmo0b9jnb" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1696506382990-77deed6e9f2f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm1lcnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyNzMyMDB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a tractor and some sheep on a grassy hill" title="a tractor and some sheep on a grassy hill" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1696506382990-77deed6e9f2f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm1lcnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzYyNzMyMDB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Burnout and fatigue are already part of the picture</h3><p>There is also the issue of exhaustion. Irish research shows that around 1 in 4 farmers experience burnout, while 50% report sleep problems. That matters because fatigue affects everything else. It reduces concentration, makes decision-making harder, and lowers the ability to deal with setbacks. When financial or operational pressure rises, there is less capacity to absorb it.</p><figure id="figure-seahgfz7kqmo0baipb" class=""><img id="seahgfz7kqmo0baipb" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1584615994639-2b6ffc07ac5b?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzNXx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtZXJ8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczMjAxfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="boy in white and blue plaid dress shirt and brown pants standing on green grass field" title="boy in white and blue plaid dress shirt and brown pants standing on green grass field" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1584615994639-2b6ffc07ac5b?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzNXx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtZXJ8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczMjAxfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The structure of farming makes stress harder to manage<br></h3><p>Farming is different from many other jobs because it is often isolated, continuous, and tied directly to home life.</p><p>There is rarely a clear separation between work and personal time. Problems on the farm do not stay at the yard gate,&nbsp; they come into the house as well.</p><p>Many farmers say they would seek help if they were struggling, but a large share also report not knowing how to access local mental health services. That means pressure can build for too long before support is reached.</p><figure id="figure-4iay507unimo0bby7w" class=""><img id="4iay507unimo0bby7w" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1621887348744-6b0444f8a058?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8bWVudGFsJTIwaGVhbHRofGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI3MzQyNnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a tablet with the words mental health matters on it" title="a tablet with the words mental health matters on it" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1621887348744-6b0444f8a058?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8bWVudGFsJTIwaGVhbHRofGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NjI3MzQyNnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The fuel protests did not create the pressure — they exposed it</h3><p>The recent protests did not cause the underlying problem. What they did was make it visible. Fuel is one of the few inputs that affects every part of farming at once:</p><ul><li>Machinery.</li><li>Transport.</li><li>Feed delivery.</li><li>Fertiliser spreading.</li></ul><p><br>When diesel rises sharply, it creates immediate financial pressure. And financial pressure, uncertainty and lack of control are all closely tied to poor mental wellbeing in farming.</p><p>That is why the protests struck such a chord, They were not just about diesel. They were about the cumulative strain many people were already carrying.</p><figure id="figure-tjic49cttrmo0bh3uo" class=""><img id="tjic49cttrmo0bh3uo" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1727875639913-4100b2642075?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZpZWxkfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU4OTk2OHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="A fenced in area next to a body of water" title="A fenced in area next to a body of water" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1727875639913-4100b2642075?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZpZWxkfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU4OTk2OHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why ongoing conflict could make things worse<br></h3><p>What makes the situation more concerning is that it may not settle quickly.</p><p>As conflict in the Middle East continues, there is a real risk that fuel and fertiliser markets remain volatile. For farming, that matters because both are core inputs and both are heavily exposed to global supply routes and energy markets.</p><p>If disruption continues, farmers may be facing:</p><ul><li>Prolonged fuel volatility.</li><li>Tighter fertiliser availability.</li><li>Continued pressure on margins.</li><li>ore uncertainty around seasonal planning</li></ul><p>And uncertainty is often harder to manage than one-off cost increases. A high cost is one problem, not knowing what the cost will be next month is another.</p><p>That kind of ongoing unpredictability can deepen stress, especially in a sector already dealing with long hours, isolation and financial exposure.</p><figure id="figure-fati9eqx1lmo0biplh" class=""><img id="fati9eqx1lmo0biplh" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689006819444-e5c916501cb1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm18ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczNzM5fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="an empty road in the middle of a grassy field" title="an empty road in the middle of a grassy 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689006819444-e5c916501cb1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm18ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczNzM5fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>There is also a safety issue here</h3><p>This is not only about wellbeing.</p><p>Over the period from 2015 to 2024, farming accounted for 40% of all fatal workplace incidents in Ireland, despite making up a much smaller share of the workforce.</p><p>That matters because stress, fatigue and long working hours do not just affect mood. They affect concentration, judgement and safety.</p><p>So when pressure builds in farming, the consequences are not only emotional or financial, they can also be physical.</p><figure id="figure-wa6iorbpwmo0bjnlx" class=""><img id="wa6iorbpwmo0bjnlx" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1757660658664-0d0bc95cdfe8?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtZXJ8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczMjAwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Black and white cow standing on stone wall near ocean." title="Black and white cow standing on stone wall near ocean." 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1757660658664-0d0bc95cdfe8?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtZXJ8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczMjAwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The statistic that says the most<br></h3><p>One figure stands out more than most:</p><ul><li>Over 82% of farmers surveyed said they personally knew someone who had died by suicide.</li></ul><p>That says a great deal about how close this issue is to the sector. It is not distant, it is not abstract. For many people, it is personal.</p><figure id="figure-xup1supahemo0bkoss" class=""><img id="xup1supahemo0bkoss" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1553706348-62ddb2e659d3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczODMwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="green grass field hill" title="green grass field hill" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1553706348-62ddb2e659d3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw2fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczODMwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What support is available</h3><p>The pressure is real, but support is there.</p><p>Farmers can access:</p><ul><li>Teagasc, which provides wellbeing information, guidance and signposting through its advisory network.</li><li>HSE mental health supports, including urgent-help pathways and local services.</li><li>Samaritans, available 24 hours a day on 116 123.</li><li>Pieta, which offers a 24/7 crisis helpline, text support and access to therapy.</li><li>Embrace FARM, which supports farm families affected by sudden death or serious injury.</li><li>IFA’s confidential debt support helpline, which is especially relevant where financial stress is a major part of the strain.</li></ul><p>The challenge is often not whether support exists, but whether people feel able to use it early enough.</p><figure id="figure-bjewyltbjlmo0blu9d" class=""><img id="bjewyltbjlmo0blu9d" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604881991720-f91add269bed?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxtZW50YWwlMjBoZWFsdGh8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczNDI1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="person in black long sleeve shirt holding babys feet" title="person in black long sleeve shirt holding babys feet" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1604881991720-f91add269bed?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxtZW50YWwlMjBoZWFsdGh8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc2MjczNDI1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The fuel protests were not just about traffic and diesel. They were a visible sign of something that is often carried quietly in farming: pressure, uncertainty and strain. The sector was already under stress, the figures make that clear.</p><p>And if global instability keeps pushing volatility in fuel and fertiliser, that pressure may deepen further. That is why this cannot be treated as just an input-cost story. It is also a mental health story,&nbsp; and increasingly, a rural resilience story too.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Fuel Protests and Mental Health: Challenges in Farming

a group of horses grazing on a lush green field

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>If you want to understand the Irish bloodstock industry, you have to start with one simple fact: It isn’t built for Ireland, it’s built for export.</p><p>In 2023, Irish-bred horses sold through auction were exported to 33 different countries, which gives a clear sense of how global the market has become.</p><p>And when your buyers are global, they start to shape everything.</p><figure id="figure-ovznrvgq7smnt89bln" class=""><img id="ovznrvgq7smnt89bln" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1746566849861-97ba55213713?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8dGhvcm91Z2hicmVkJTIwaG9yc2VzfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTg0NDQzMXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Horses graze peacefully in a lush green field." title="Horses graze peacefully in a lush green 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1746566849861-97ba55213713?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNXx8dGhvcm91Z2hicmVkJTIwaG9yc2VzfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTg0NDQzMXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A market driven from the outside</h3><p>The scale of international demand is hard to ignore.</p><p>In 2023:</p><ul><li>Irish bloodstock sales at public auction reached €231.5 million.</li><li>The value of Irish-foaled horses sold for export through auctions alone reached €333.7 million.</li><li>That’s before you even consider private sales or the wider export trade.</li></ul><p>Ireland also exported horses worth $611 million in 2023, making it one of the largest exporters globally, and placing it second worldwide in this category.</p><p>That level of demand doesn’t just support the industry, it drives it.</p><figure id="figure-ulloqthismnt8cdo3" class=""><img id="ulloqthismnt8cdo3" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1697285406356-03f0080b2afe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxM3x8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU4OTYyMnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a white horse standing next to a tree on a lush green field" title="a white horse standing next to a tree on a lush green 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1697285406356-03f0080b2afe?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxM3x8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU4OTYyMnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Where the demand is coming from<br></h3><p>The buyer base is spread across key international markets.</p><p>The UK remains the dominant destination, but strong demand also comes from:</p><ul><li>The United States.</li><li>Japan.</li><li>France.</li><li>Australia.</li><li>The Middle East.</li></ul><p>Some of that growth has been significant, spending by US buyers alone increased from around €8.5 million in 2018 to €18.8 million in 2022, showing just how quickly certain markets can expand.</p><p>And when spending grows like that, it doesn’t go unnoticed.</p><figure id="figure-4587qw3ftdmnt8ecjh" class=""><img id="4587qw3ftdmnt8ecjh" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1730234704977-673af287af21?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxpcmlzaCUyMGhvcnNlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU4NDUyMzN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Two horses running in a field with a mountain in the background" title="Two horses running in a field with a mountain in the background" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1730234704977-673af287af21?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxpcmlzaCUyMGhvcnNlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU4NDUyMzN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Breeding is now commercially driven</h3><p>This is where the real influence of international buyers becomes clear. Stud farms aren’t just breeding horses to race, they’re breeding horses that will sell into specific markets.</p><p>Buyer preferences around:</p><ul><li>Pedigree.</li><li>Physical type.</li><li>Stallion line.</li><li>Feed directly back into breeding decisions.</li></ul><p>That shapes everything from stallion selection to how foals and yearlings are presented for sale. Over time, it shifts the focus slightly, from purely racing outcomes to commercial appeal.</p><figure id="figure-0m9bccd4rgmnt8h8c1" class=""><img id="0m9bccd4rgmnt8h8c1" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1707731286268-50863f043369?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw5fHxpcmlzaCUyMGhvcnNlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU4NDUyMzN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a black and white photo of horses wearing blankets" title="a black and white photo of horses wearing blankets" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1707731286268-50863f043369?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw5fHxpcmlzaCUyMGhvcnNlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU4NDUyMzN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Production depends on export demand<br></h3><p>Ireland produces around 9,000 thoroughbred foals each year, making it one of the largest producers globally and the third-largest producer of thoroughbreds worldwide.</p><p>That level of production only works because there is consistent international demand to absorb it. Without export markets, that scale wouldn’t be sustainable.</p><figure id="figure-mwec404vkhmnt8krus" class=""><img id="mwec404vkhmnt8krus" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1704198930223-91b986b84bb3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxHbG9iYWwlMjBJbmZsdWVuY2UlM0ElMjBJbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsJTIwQnV5ZXJzJTIwVHJhbnNmb3JtaW5nJTIwSXJpc2glMjBTdHVkJTIwRmFybXN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ0NDIzfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a group of horses grazing on a lush green field" title="a group of horses grazing on a lush green field" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1704198930223-91b986b84bb3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxHbG9iYWwlMjBJbmZsdWVuY2UlM0ElMjBJbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsJTIwQnV5ZXJzJTIwVHJhbnNmb3JtaW5nJTIwSXJpc2glMjBTdHVkJTIwRmFybXN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ0NDIzfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3>Not all farms benefit equally</h3><p>International demand has strengthened the industry overall, but it hasn’t affected every farm in the same way.</p><p>Larger, well-established stud farms are typically better positioned to attract global buyers. They have:</p><ul><li>Stronger reputations.</li><li>Access to top bloodlines.</li><li>The ability to invest at scale.</li></ul><p><br>Smaller operations often operate further down the market, where competition is tighter and margins are more exposed. That creates a noticeable divide within the sector.</p><figure id="figure-8767n3thlcmnt8mvnv" class=""><img id="8767n3thlcmnt8mvnv" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1553284965-83fd3e82fa5a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxob3JzZXN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ1NjcwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="running white horse" title="running white horse" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1553284965-83fd3e82fa5a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxob3JzZXN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ1NjcwfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Exposure to global conditions<br>&nbsp;</h3><p>There’s another side to being globally connected, when your market is international, your risks are too.</p><p>The Irish bloodstock industry is influenced by:</p><ul><li>Global economic conditions.</li><li>urrency movements.</li><li>Buyer confidence in key regions.</li></ul><p><br>When those factors shift, demand can change quickly, and that feeds directly back into Irish sales.</p><figure id="figure-1slrtu774ymnt8ppyp" class=""><img id="1slrtu774ymnt8ppyp" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1521295121783-8a321d551ad2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxUSEUlMjBHTE9CRXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU4NDU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="desk globe on table" title="desk globe on 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1521295121783-8a321d551ad2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxUSEUlMjBHTE9CRXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU4NDU3NjN8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What it means on the ground<br></h3><p>For stud farms, this isn’t abstract. Breeding decisions are influenced by:</p><ul><li>what sold well in previous years.</li><li>where buyers are coming from.</li><li>How different markets are performing.</li></ul><p><br>Even how horses are prepared and presented is shaped by what international buyers expect. So while the work happens locally, the market driving it is global.</p><figure id="figure-k8lxcbkkklmnt8r7ih" class=""><img id="k8lxcbkkklmnt8r7ih" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1641581815587-91bb03c741d0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHxJUklTSCUyMEhPUlNFfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTg0NTgzMnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="two horses standing next to each other in a field" title="two horses standing next to each other in a 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1641581815587-91bb03c741d0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHxJUklTSCUyMEhPUlNFfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTg0NTgzMnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Irish stud farms haven’t just adapted to international buyers, they depend on them.</p><p>The figures make that clear:</p><ul><li>Hundreds of millions in annual sales.</li><li>Exports to over 30 countries.</li><li>Strong demand from global markets.</li></ul><p><br>That brings opportunity, but also exposure.</p><p>Because when your business is shaped by global demand, what happens elsewhere doesn’t stay elsewhere. It shows up directly in how Irish farms operate, what they produce, and whether it sells.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Global Influence: International Buyers Transforming Irish Stud Farms

a city street with a clock tower in the middle of it

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>You don’t often see tractors and trucks deliberately slowing traffic unless something is seriously off.</p><p>That’s exactly what happened recently, with fuel protests causing delays across major routes and drawing attention to something that’s been building for a while now, the cost of fuel, and how quickly it’s rising.</p><p>For those working in farming, transport or contracting, it wasn’t surprising, it was just visible.</p><figure id="figure-dzge9d74b8mnp07pr8" class=""><img id="dzge9d74b8mnp07pr8" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1657206456366-ac81460011ee?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzOHx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJteWFyZHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU1ODk2Mjh8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a group of cows standing in a field" title="a group of cows standing in a 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1657206456366-ac81460011ee?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzOHx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJteWFyZHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU1ODk2Mjh8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>It’s not just expensive — it’s moving quickly</h3><p>Fuel prices have always gone up and down, but the pace of change lately is what’s catching people. Diesel prices in Ireland are now sitting at over €2 per litre, with the average around €2.09.</p><p>What’s more noticeable is how quickly those increases have come through. In some cases, diesel prices have jumped significantly within a short period, with increases of over 50 cent per litre recorded within a single month during recent spikes.</p><p>That kind of movement makes it very difficult to plan or manage costs.</p><figure id="figure-yh04owfa8mmnp0cekz" class=""><img id="yh04owfa8mmnp0cekz" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1660544097200-6216428f0b2a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0cmFmZmljJTIwaW4lMjBkdWJsaW58ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1NTg5ODkxfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a green bus on the street" title="a green bus on the street" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1660544097200-6216428f0b2a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0cmFmZmljJTIwaW4lMjBkdWJsaW58ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1NTg5ODkxfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farming feels it through green diesel</h3><p>For agriculture, the pressure shows up most clearly in green diesel — and on a farm, it adds up quickly. Fuel isn’t something that can be trimmed back. If ground needs to be worked or livestock managed, machinery has to run.</p><p>From slurry and fertiliser spreading to silage and daily feeding, diesel sits behind nearly every job. During busy periods, tractors can be running for long hours over consecutive days, and that’s where the cost really starts to build.</p><p><img id="pmycw4nw0hmnp0f3m3" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; object-position: center center;" title="A fenced in area next to a body of water" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1727875639913-4100b2642075?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZpZWxkfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU4OTk2OHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="A fenced in area next to a body of water" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1727875639913-4100b2642075?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZpZWxkfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU4OTk2OHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></p><h3>It feeds directly into food production</h3><p>Fuel doesn’t just affect the cost of running a tractor, it feeds into the entire system.</p><p>As fuel prices rise, so do:</p><ul><li>Transport costs.</li><li>Input delivery costs.</li><li>Processing and distribution costs.</li></ul><p>There are already warnings that food prices could rise by around 8%, which could add up to roughly €600 per year for households.</p><p>At the same time, fertiliser is becoming a growing concern. A significant share of global fertiliser supply normally moves through the Strait of Hormuz, and with ongoing disruption, large volumes are now being delayed or held up. Around one-third of global fertiliser trade passes through that route, so any slowdown has immediate knock-on effects.</p><p>That’s starting to tighten supply just as farmers need it most, with shipments being delayed and prices rising sharply. In some cases, fertiliser prices have increased by 25–30% or more in a short period.</p><p>For farming, that creates a double pressure, higher fuel costs on one side, and rising or uncertain fertiliser availability on the other. And when both move at the same time, the impact doesn’t stay on farms, it feeds straight through into food production and prices.</p><figure id="figure-hfq4rmsehhmnp1082p" class=""><img id="hfq4rmsehhmnp1082p" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1655130944281-072e0644db75?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxmZXJ0aWxpc2VyfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU5MDk1Mnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a machine in the field" title="a machine in the 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1655130944281-072e0644db75?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxmZXJ0aWxpc2VyfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU5MDk1Mnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>There’s no easy way around it</h3><p>One of the main reasons fuel is such a pressure point is that there aren’t many alternatives.</p><p>In rural Ireland especially:</p><ul><li>Machinery depends on diesel.</li><li>Transport depends on diesel.</li><li>Supply chains depend on diesel<br></li></ul><p>Unlike other costs, there’s no quick substitute. You can’t switch it off or reduce usage without affecting output.</p><figure id="figure-69dd4yp5pmnp11l3h" class=""><img id="69dd4yp5pmnp11l3h" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758236503889-42d4e57d4f1a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxSdXJhbCUyMGlyaXNoJTIwZmFybSUyMHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU1OTEwMzB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Cows resting in a green pasture with stone walls." title="Cows resting in a green pasture with stone walls." 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758236503889-42d4e57d4f1a?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxSdXJhbCUyMGlyaXNoJTIwZmFybSUyMHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzU1OTEwMzB8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Pressure building across the system</h3><p>What came through during the protests was that this isn’t just about short-term frustration.</p><p>There’s a growing concern about sustainability, not environmental, but economic.</p><p>When fuel costs move this quickly, businesses don’t have time to adapt. And if those costs remain high, it starts to raise questions about long-term viability, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on transport and machinery.</p><p>That has knock-on effects for farming, because agriculture depends on those same services to function.</p><figure id="figure-u7cm70g9fmnp13e46" class=""><img id="u7cm70g9fmnp13e46" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1702563437324-eaeb112bef9c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHx0cmFjdG9yJTIwb24lMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU5MTExM3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a red tractor is parked in the middle of a field" title="a red tractor is parked in the middle of a 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1702563437324-eaeb112bef9c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHx0cmFjdG9yJTIwb24lMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTU5MTExM3ww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>More than just disruption<br></h3><p>The protests themselves caused delays, but they also highlighted something bigger.</p><p>Fuel sits underneath almost everything in the economy. When it rises sharply, the impact spreads quickly, from farms to transport, and ultimately to consumers.</p><p>And unlike some other costs, it’s not something that can be absorbed easily over time.</p><figure id="figure-rlwqk2ybslmnp14nhx" class=""><img id="rlwqk2ybslmnp14nhx" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1668303672808-6e8d7cae3fdc?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw5fHxBZ3JpY3VsdHVyZSUyMENvbnN1bHRpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1NTg5NTI1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="a tractor in a field" title="a tractor in a 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1668303672808-6e8d7cae3fdc?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw5fHxBZ3JpY3VsdHVyZSUyMENvbnN1bHRpbmd8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1NTg5NTI1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The protests weren’t really about blocking roads, yhey were about highlighting pressure, and how quickly it’s building.</p><p>For farming, that pressure is hard to absorb. Fuel is a core input, and when it moves sharply, everything else follows.</p><p>And when something that fundamental becomes unstable, it doesn’t take long before it shows up across the entire system.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Fuel Protests and Rising Costs: What It Means for Irish Farming

A flock of sheep and lambs in a green field.

<h3>Introduction&nbsp;</h3><p>When a new scheme is announced, the headline number tends to do most of the talking. In this case, it’s €22 million, the budget for the current National Sheep Welfare Scheme. But for most farmers, the real question isn’t the size of the pot. It’s what actually lands back on the farm.</p><p>And more importantly, whether it makes a difference.</p><figure id="figure-vpuy4r35qqmngfytct"><img id="vpuy4r35qqmngfytct" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1695072180363-15265a156353?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxpcmlzaCUyMHNoZWVwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MTg3OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="irish sheep" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1695072180363-15265a156353?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxpcmlzaCUyMHNoZWVwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MTg3OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>A continuation rather than a reset</h3><p>This isn’t a completely new scheme. It’s more a continuation of the approach that’s been in place over the past number of years, supporting routine flock management while trying to improve overall animal health.</p><p>The increase to €22 million reflects a step up in support, but it also reflects where the sheep sector currently sits. Margins are tight, and schemes like this have become part of how many farms stay viable.</p><figure id="figure-9dz23tcyhtmngfyv3p"><img id="9dz23tcyhtmngfyv3p" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1614183654058-0bac05af5ab0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxzaGVlcCUyMGZhcm18ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcxODgyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="sheep farm" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1614183654058-0bac05af5ab0?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxzaGVlcCUyMGZhcm18ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcxODgyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>What the payment looks like in practice</h3><p>At farm level, everything comes back to the payment per ewe.</p><p>Under the current scheme, farmers can receive up to €13 per breeding ewe, depending on the actions completed.</p><p>To draw down the full payment:</p><ul><li>Two mandatory actions must be completed, each worth €4 per ewe.</li><li>One optional action must also be carried out, worth €5 per ewe.</li><li>That brings the total to €13 per ewe if all requirements are met.</li></ul><p>Alongside this, the separate Sheep Improvement Scheme brings total targeted support up to €25 per ewe when both schemes are combined.</p><p>Compared to previous years, that represents a significant increase in direct support for the sector.</p><figure id="figure-a2av8h9itjmngg24rr" class=""><img id="a2av8h9itjmngg24rr" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1584998350419-2bba342d6e71?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxpcmlzaCUyMHNoZWVwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MjA0MHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="white sheep on green grass field near lake during daytime" title="white sheep on green grass field near lake during daytime" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1584998350419-2bba342d6e71?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxpcmlzaCUyMHNoZWVwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MjA0MHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What farmers are being asked to do<br></h3><p>One of the reasons the scheme works, and why uptake has been strong, is that the actions themselves are not overly complicated.</p><p>The mandatory actions include things like:</p><ul><li>Shearing.</li><li>Body condition scoring.</li><li>lostridial vaccination.</li></ul><p>The optional actions focus on:</p><ul><li>Foot bathing.</li><li>Parasite control.</li></ul><p><br>These are all standard management practices on most sheep farms. The scheme doesn’t introduce anything radically new, it simply attaches a payment to work that is already part of running a flock properly.</p><figure id="figure-avwb4ur1vrmngg4l90"><img id="avwb4ur1vrmngg4l90" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1759759264131-5938edb1b97c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8SVJJU0glMjBTSEVFUCUyMEZBUk0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcyMTU2fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="A sheep grazing in a grassy field under clouds." title="A sheep grazing in a grassy field under clouds." class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1759759264131-5938edb1b97c?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxMnx8SVJJU0glMjBTSEVFUCUyMEZBUk0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcyMTU2fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Timing matters as much as payment</h3><p>As with any scheme, deadlines are part of the process.</p><p>Actions need to be completed by mid-October, with a later deadline available into late November. However, choosing the later option generally means a delay in payment into the following year.</p><p>That can matter more than it might seem. For many farms, timing of payments is just as important as the amount, particularly where cash flow is tight.</p><figure id="figure-l26s2axno9mngg6ep2"><img id="l26s2axno9mngg6ep2" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1494079218307-7fa091ab4df2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxTSEVFUCUyMEZBUk0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcyMjQ3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="group lamb eating grass" title="group lamb eating grass" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1494079218307-7fa091ab4df2?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwzfHxTSEVFUCUyMEZBUk0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcyMjQ3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Why this level of support is needed<br></h3><p>Sheep farming has always been one of the more challenging sectors in Irish agriculture.</p><p>Costs have been rising steadily, feed, fertiliser, labour, while output prices don’t always follow at the same pace. That leaves a gap, and schemes like this are designed to help fill it.</p><p>The level of participation in previous schemes shows that farmers are engaging with these supports, not because they are complicated or innovative, but because they are practical and necessary.</p><figure id="figure-z9qgp8o6sdmngg9qjv" class=""><img id="z9qgp8o6sdmngg9qjv" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1720654068545-d1776911a873?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcyMzk1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="A sheep laying on top of a lush green hillside" title="A sheep laying on top of a lush green hillside" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1720654068545-d1776911a873?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm0lMjB8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1MDcyMzk1fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>More than just a payment</h3><p>While the financial side is important, there’s another element to this type of scheme.</p><p>By linking payments to specific actions, it encourages consistency in how flocks are managed. Even simple things like regular condition scoring or parasite control can have a noticeable impact over time.</p><p>So while the payment is the incentive, the longer-term aim is to lift overall standards across the sector.</p><figure id="figure-6kv3beynnfmnggc16h" class=""><img id="6kv3beynnfmnggc16h" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1745597281062-d95bc32d2206?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyOHx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MjM5Nnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="Sheep graze peacefully in a green pasture." title="Sheep graze peacefully in a green 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1745597281062-d95bc32d2206?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyOHx8aXJpc2glMjBmYXJtJTIwfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MjM5Nnww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What it means on the ground</h3><p>In isolation, €13 per ewe won’t transform a farm.</p><p>But across a flock, it adds up. And when combined with other supports, it becomes a meaningful contribution to overall income.</p><p>At the same time, it doesn’t remove the underlying pressures in the sector. It supports the system, it doesn’t fundamentally change it.</p><p>That’s the reality most farmers are working within.</p><figure id="figure-i0llh5ioxmnggep5z" class=""><img id="i0llh5ioxmnggep5z" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1730144586323-21eb1d73e291?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm15YXJkfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MjYyOHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" alt="A field with a stone wall and mountains in the background" title="A field with a stone wall and mountains in the background" 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://images.unsplash.com/photo-1730144586323-21eb1d73e291?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wyNjI5NjF8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxpcmlzaCUyMGZhcm15YXJkfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3NTA3MjYyOHww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The move to a €22 million scheme is a clear signal that the sheep sector continues to need support.</p><p>It also reflects a wider approach, maintaining production while gradually improving animal health and welfare standards. For farmers, the scheme is relatively straightforward: carry out work that is already part of good practice and receive a payment in return. For the sector as a whole, it highlights something that hasn’t really changed:</p><p>Sheep farming in Ireland remains heavily reliant on support, not just to improve outcomes, but to remain economically viable.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

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