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<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Farming in Ireland has always meant more than just producing food. It’s identity, memory, place. You’ll hear people talk about “working the land” like it’s something sacred, and for good reason. The fields aren’t just green patches, they hold your name, your father’s stories, and your mother’s warnings about east winds and stubborn heifers.</p><p>The land is part of us. Even when the cheques don’t add up and the work breaks your back, the roots run deep.</p><figure id="figure-auk6q1mb4qmbi5i99q"><img id="auk6q1mb4qmbi5i99q" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/964493270/photo/rolling-scottish-countryside.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=XO6Dk5ly4g1X5GgTn78gQRXqwL9CEkfqQTwzamf2lTI=" alt="Rolling Scottish Countryside" title="Rolling Scottish Countryside" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/964493270/photo/rolling-scottish-countryside.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=XO6Dk5ly4g1X5GgTn78gQRXqwL9CEkfqQTwzamf2lTI=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Land Means More Than Acreage</h3><p>Ask someone in Mayo, Kerry or Cavan where they’re from, and chances are they’ll name the townland before the town. These aren’t just map points, they're mini histories. Land divisions older than the parish, carried in names that tell you where the ash trees grew, where the stream ran strong, or who lived there five generations back.</p><p>And that inheritance isn’t just legal, it’s emotional. A 10-acre plot in west Clare might never make you rich, but if it’s been in the family since Famine times, it’s priceless.</p><p>You see it at auctions too. The fella who outbids the neighbour not because he needs the land, but because it “should stay in the family.” Or the daughter who moves home to run the place because no one else will. Farming is one of the last parts of Irish life where place and pride still walk hand in hand.</p><figure id="figure-asui24t4dombi6gbmy" class=""><img id="asui24t4dombi6gbmy" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/874139350/photo/early-autumn-countryside-morning-northern-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=r8Zz1_msjramDLEUSqtC7bjNx805q0y-ACQdLtu3DsY=" alt="Early Autumn countryside morning,Northern Ireland" title="Early Autumn countryside morning,Northern Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/874139350/photo/early-autumn-countryside-morning-northern-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=r8Zz1_msjramDLEUSqtC7bjNx805q0y-ACQdLtu3DsY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Language You Feel in Your Bones</h3><p>You don’t need to speak fluent Gaeilge to hear the Irish in farming. It’s in the way people speak of land “resting,” of “giving it back to itself” for a year. It’s in the placenames, like An Poll Mór (The Big Hole), or Cnocán na gCaorach (The Little Hill of the Sheep). These aren’t just pretty turns of phrase, they’re working language, functional poetry.</p><p>Even the Irish words for farming tools have a certain heft to them. The “sleán” for cutting turf. The “tuairim” used to guess a cow’s due date. In many Gaeltacht areas, Irish remains the working language of the land. You’ll still hear people in Connemara or Dún Chaoin shouting directions in Irish while loading cattle, or cursing the wind with a fluency schoolbooks could only dream of.</p><p>It’s living language, not for show, but for work. And where it still exists, it holds something precious.</p><figure id="figure-s4mpfq6a2imbi6j1ij" class=""><img id="s4mpfq6a2imbi6j1ij" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1085374700/photo/do-you-speak-irish.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=owkachUEDYdZPqA_tLmRPNdw6ByXspUUvAZ_1RNpINY=" alt="Do you speak Irish (An bhfuil Gaeilge agat)" title="Do you speak Irish (An bhfuil Gaeilge agat)" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1085374700/photo/do-you-speak-irish.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=owkachUEDYdZPqA_tLmRPNdw6ByXspUUvAZ_1RNpINY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farming Isn’t Just Work—It’s Rhythm</h3><p>Remember when the whole parish turned out for the silage? Or when the threshing machine did the rounds and the day ended with sandwiches, pints and someone singing “The Fields of Athenry”? Those weren’t just jobs getting done, they were cultural moments.</p><p>Even now, the agri-calendar still underpins life in the countryside. The Ploughing Championships bring in over 300,000 people each year. That’s not just a trade show, it’s a social gathering, a tradition, a statement that rural life still matters.</p><p>Then there’s the mart. You’ll find more local news, matchmaking and philosophy in an hour at the ringside in Tuam or Bandon than in any national paper. There’s a cadence to it all, the low talk, the handshakes, the quick mental maths before the hammer falls. These aren’t just traditions, they’re community glue.</p><figure id="figure-rik2tsxbc5mbi6kxgt" class=""><img id="rik2tsxbc5mbi6kxgt" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/183050455/photo/cattle-market.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kEN_OLqhcTgzsEofSOiz2HEG7qhP9Y8jXkbSdh-AF60=" alt="cattle market" title="cattle market" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/183050455/photo/cattle-market.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kEN_OLqhcTgzsEofSOiz2HEG7qhP9Y8jXkbSdh-AF60=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>More Than a Job</h3><p>When a farmer says “I’m only part-time now,” they often say it with guilt, as though they’re letting the side down. But even those driving buses, working in shops or fixing tractors still call themselves farmers first. Because it’s not just about what you do, it's who you are.</p><p>Look at farm sheds: they’re museums of memory. Old gates kept “in case they’re needed.” Rusted cream cans no one can throw out. The half-finished job that got paused because of calving, and somehow never got finished. It’s all part of it.</p><p>And even the quiet moments, bringing in turf from the bog, folding meal bags, walking the field at dusk with the dog, those are as much about mental grounding as physical work. Farming shapes how you see time, how you raise your children, even how you bury your dead. It’s cultural, through and through.</p><figure id="figure-xxkrdt8w8mbi6plzt" class=""><img id="xxkrdt8w8mbi6plzt" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/969653376/photo/farmyard-and-sheds.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=OTrueJ8BF0e6Oo7iIHy0bUyOMx_7vaVLRFVFMJQGuIo=" alt="farmyard and sheds" title="farmyard and sheds" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/969653376/photo/farmyard-and-sheds.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=OTrueJ8BF0e6Oo7iIHy0bUyOMx_7vaVLRFVFMJQGuIo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What’s at Stake</h3><p>When the smaller farms vanish, we lose more than output. We lose storytellers. We lose field names. We lose the way Granny used to mark sheep with red raddle and call it “painting them for the fair.” We lose the reasons why a stretch of boreen was called “the Priest’s Turn” or “Maggie’s Wall”. We risk a countryside that’s functional, but hollow. Productive, but heartless.</p><p>That’s not to say things shouldn’t change, of course they should, but we need to mind what matters along the way. Not just preserve it in glass cases, but let it breathe.</p><figure id="figure-46zt5pl66mbi6roqh" class=""><img id="46zt5pl66mbi6roqh" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/910581600/photo/antrim-coast-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=225UmEA28ciWL2qQXXyrBIoH1c_vrGFWemSLYqHuULE=" alt="Antrim Coast, Ireland" title="Antrim Coast, Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/910581600/photo/antrim-coast-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=225UmEA28ciWL2qQXXyrBIoH1c_vrGFWemSLYqHuULE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>In the rush to modernise, digitise, and monetise farming, we can’t forget what’s already here—living, breathing culture under our feet. Every laneway walked, every beast reared, every story told at the mart, it all adds up to something worth holding onto.</p><p>Farming in Ireland is more than economy. It’s memory. It’s language. It’s a way of seeing the world. And it’s worth fighting for, not just for what it produces, but for what it protects.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

The Cultural Role of Farming in Irish Identity: Land, Language, and Livelihood

Field of ripe barley ready for harvesting

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Ask any farmer what's keeping them up at night, and you’ll probably get a similiar answer, feed costs. It's the thing that quietly gnaws at margins, changes calving plans, and decides whether you go for another load this month or try and stretch what you’ve got.</p><p>The days of reasonably priced, reliable feed are behind us may be behind us. In the last few years, we've seen prices yo-yo like never before. In 2024 alone, feed prices jumped by over 15% across the board, partly due to transport costs, partly to inflation, and a lot to do with our reliance on imported protein. It’s no wonder people are questioning how long this model can last.</p><p>But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of just tightening belts, people are thinking bigger. What if we didn’t have to depend on soy from halfway across the world? What if we could feed animals using materials we already produce, locally, cheaply, and sustainably?</p><figure id="figure-6hdwx25xjmbi4qk5h" class=""><img id="6hdwx25xjmbi4qk5h" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2212613809/photo/group-of-cows-in-a-barn.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=d_YC_KWaSfwK1rSmBJs57P1KKu1BZKIFT0mhbPueEqo=" alt="Group of cows in a barn." title="Group of cows in a barn." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2212613809/photo/group-of-cows-in-a-barn.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=d_YC_KWaSfwK1rSmBJs57P1KKu1BZKIFT0mhbPueEqo=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>What’s Wrong With Soy?</h3><p>Soy’s been the go-to for decades, especially for pig and poultry units. It’s reliable, protein-rich, and fairly consistent. But it’s not without baggage. Ireland imports tens of thousands of tonnes of soy each year, most&nbsp; of it from Brazil and Argentina. That’s a long way for a feedstuff to travel, and the environmental cost is steep. Over 20 million hectares of South American forests have been cleared for soy production in the last three decades. And with the EU now tightening rules around deforestation-linked imports, the price of “clean” soy is only going one way—up.</p><p>It’s not just about emissions either. Every time a cargo ship is delayed or tariffs change, Irish farmers get hit. This isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a food security one.</p><figure id="figure-iq9kznnzsxmbi4s0cm" class=""><img id="iq9kznnzsxmbi4s0cm" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1611922462/photo/aerial-view-of-river-in-the-green-mangroves-forestand-and-limestone-hill-in-phang-nga-bay.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=pDppO68YnzcTP7P6bycI8OA3R216MLKbArXfPigz7Ts=" alt="Aerial view of river in the green mangroves forestand and limestone hill in Phang nga bay, Thailand." title="Aerial view of river in the green mangroves forestand and limestone hill in Phang nga bay, Thailand." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1611922462/photo/aerial-view-of-river-in-the-green-mangroves-forestand-and-limestone-hill-in-phang-nga-bay.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=pDppO68YnzcTP7P6bycI8OA3R216MLKbArXfPigz7Ts=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Brewery Waste: From Pints to Protein</h3><p>Now, here’s something that could only happen in Ireland. Down in Cork, researchers at UCC have been turning brewery waste, specifically, the leftover liquid from brewing, into animal feed.</p><p>They’re using microbial fermentation to convert this nutrient-rich by-product into high-protein biomass suitable for cattle, pigs, and poultry. Early trials show that the protein levels are comparable to soy, but with a much smaller carbon footprint. Plus, it’s made right here at home.</p><p>Considering the scale of our drinks industry, there’s no shortage of supply. Just one large brewery produces thousands of litres of this liquid waste every week. Instead of dumping it, we could be feeding animals—and cutting down on imports while we’re at it.</p><figure id="figure-dpbohyqtembi4yf15" class=""><img id="dpbohyqtembi4yf15" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1471957652/photo/1980s-old-positive-film-scanned-long-hall-and-clock-tower-of-university-college-cork-county.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6w2dDiFY1btC_npoBKu7doVWHsmryWq3lWQ-JniA9OU=" alt="1980s old Positive Film scanned, Long Hall and Clock Tower of University College Cork, County Cork, Ireland" title="1980s old Positive Film scanned, Long Hall and Clock Tower of University College Cork, County 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://media.gettyimages.com/id/1471957652/photo/1980s-old-positive-film-scanned-long-hall-and-clock-tower-of-university-college-cork-county.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6w2dDiFY1btC_npoBKu7doVWHsmryWq3lWQ-JniA9OU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Insects: The Future with Six Legs</h3><p>It may sound mad, but insect protein is fast becoming a serious player. Black soldier fly larvae, in particular, can convert food waste into a protein-rich meal in under two weeks. And they do it using very little land, water, or energy.</p><p>The European insect protein market is now worth over €1.2 billion and is expected to grow at over 30% annually through to 2034. In Ireland, several pilot projects are already underway, especially for pig and poultry diets where protein demand is high and margins are tight.</p><p>The benefits? You get local protein, less food waste, and a product that can be processed into pellets just like traditional meal. It's early days yet, but the potential’s there, and the science is moving fast.</p><figure id="figure-2sw2fse8pmbi50u8i" class=""><img id="2sw2fse8pmbi50u8i" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1084970646/photo/cricket-powder-insect-for-eating-as-food-items-made-of-cooked-insect-meat-in-bowl-and-wood.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=BCbTEdwA5bOfOXaUYR7ZNpHa5qIuycnOs468MNeGZw8=" alt="Cricket powder insect for eating as food items made of cooked insect meat in bowl and wood spoon on white background it is good source of protein edible for future. Entomophagy concept." title="Cricket powder insect for eating as food items made of cooked insect meat in bowl and wood spoon on white background it is good source of protein edible for future. Entomophagy concept." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1084970646/photo/cricket-powder-insect-for-eating-as-food-items-made-of-cooked-insect-meat-in-bowl-and-wood.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=BCbTEdwA5bOfOXaUYR7ZNpHa5qIuycnOs468MNeGZw8=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Seaweed: Ireland’s Salty Superfeed</h3><p>Here’s something that’s close to home, and close to shore. Seaweed, especially brown species like Ascophyllum nodosum, is showing serious potential in livestock diets.</p><p>Not only is it high in minerals and vitamins, but some trials have shown that feeding small amounts of seaweed to cattle can reduce methane emissions by up to 30%. That’s massive. With agriculture making up over 35% of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions, solutions like this aren’t fringe, they’re essential.</p><p>In 2024, Ireland harvested over 50.5 tonnes of cultivated seaweed. And the market is growing, currently valued at over €45 million annually. Whether it’s as a supplement, a silage additive, or even part of daily rations, seaweed is fast becoming more than just something that clogs the quad tyres at low tide.</p><figure id="figure-avdksvicd9mbi52jtp" class=""><img id="avdksvicd9mbi52jtp" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2208977203/photo/a-peaceful-and-picturesque-calm-seascape-featuring-a-historic-tower-alongside-a-vibrant-green.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Z1Moiq1aKze45FHJY4fMIWC7O63i2HR4uGDc-UAdez4=" alt="A peaceful and picturesque calm seascape featuring a historic tower alongside a vibrant green seaweedfilled coastline" title="A peaceful and picturesque calm seascape featuring a historic tower alongside a vibrant green seaweedfilled coastline" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2208977203/photo/a-peaceful-and-picturesque-calm-seascape-featuring-a-historic-tower-alongside-a-vibrant-green.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Z1Moiq1aKze45FHJY4fMIWC7O63i2HR4uGDc-UAdez4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Duckweed: The Pond Plant With Punch</h3><p>Duckweed might look like scum on a pond, but it's actually punching above its weight in feed research. It grows rapidly in wastewater, absorbs excess nutrients, and contains up to 40% protein, similar to soy.</p><p>UCC and Teagasc are collaborating on the Duck-Feed Project, looking at how this tiny green plant could be scaled up to supply Irish farmers with home-grown protein. The bonus? It cleans up slurry and wastewater while it grows. Double win.</p><p>If it takes off, duckweed could play a key role in reducing nitrogen loss, improving water quality, and giving small farms another tool in the toolbox.</p><figure id="figure-6j1kjw0srcmbi54b83" class=""><img id="6j1kjw0srcmbi54b83" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1035044768/photo/natural-green-duckweed-on-the-water-background-or-texture.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=OJb36FvuSAzmxAopjNX5SS6fIUG9Rv8l6VUmcWQ08SU=" alt="Natural Green Duckweed on The water,background or texture." title="Natural Green Duckweed on The water,background or texture." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1035044768/photo/natural-green-duckweed-on-the-water-background-or-texture.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=OJb36FvuSAzmxAopjNX5SS6fIUG9Rv8l6VUmcWQ08SU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Irish farmers have always been good at working with what’s available; fixing with wire, borrowing a calf-crate, making do. These new feed ideas are just a modern version of that same resourcefulness.</p><p>Whether it’s turning brewery dregs into beef, feeding chickens with bugs, or giving cows a sprinkle of seaweed, the feed shed of the future might not look like the one we grew up with. And maybe that’s a good thing.</p><p>We can’t keep depending on feed from thousands of miles away. We’ve the science, the land, and the waste streams to do it differently. And with prices the way they are, maybe it’s time to look in the bin—not the boat—for what’s next.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

From Barley to Brewery Waste: Rethinking Animal Feed in Ireland

A Mother and her Daughter are Joyfully Enjoying Natures Beautiful View on this Cloudy Day together

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>It’s just after 8am, the cattle are fed, the kids are half-dressed for school, and you’ve ten minutes to eat something before the drive to work. It’s not glamorous, it’s not leisurely, but it’s life for a growing number of Irish farmers today.</p><p>The part-time farmer isn’t a passing phase. It’s fast becoming the face of modern agriculture. Nearly 60% of farmers now rely on some form of off-farm income just to keep things afloat. And while that might surprise some, for those living it, it’s simply what has to be done.</p><figure id="figure-07kquyswhoqkmbhzchn9" class=""><img id="07kquyswhoqkmbhzchn9" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1280326649/photo/father-sharing-farm-experience-with-son.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=x2WaHOSOXLpgH46wmUtNKvad-T04IdaHsl-2NeQUSrc=" alt="Father sharing farm experience with son" title="Father sharing farm experience with son" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1280326649/photo/father-sharing-farm-experience-with-son.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=x2WaHOSOXLpgH46wmUtNKvad-T04IdaHsl-2NeQUSrc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farming Doesn’t Always Pay the Bills Anymore</h3><p>Farming, especially on small or family-run places, often isn’t enough to keep things going on its own anymore. Incomes have taken a serious hit in recent years. For a lot of farmers, what used to be a full-time livelihood now barely brings in €20,000 a year, and that’s before you deal with the rest of life’s costs.</p><p>Fertiliser prices more than doubled not so long ago. Feed costs went up. Everything from diesel to fencing has crept higher. Even with some prices coming down a bit, the damage was already done. Add in unpredictable weather and tighter rules, and even the best-run farms are feeling the squeeze.</p><p>It’s no surprise then that nearly half of all farmers now have jobs off the land-driving school buses, working in shops, fixing machinery, or pulling pints in the local in the evening. It’s not about walking away from farming. It’s about holding it all together, doing what needs to be done to keep the place running and the lights on. Because right now, farming alone often just doesn’t cut it.</p><figure id="figure-5l92aqzhwcmbhzcp5e"><img id="5l92aqzhwcmbhzcp5e" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/875237252/photo/farmland-landscape.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kNqA15onh73v14szHmwctLxPcdic28Ne8Rey7gBw4s4=" alt="Farmland landscape" title="Farmland 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="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/875237252/photo/farmland-landscape.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kNqA15onh73v14szHmwctLxPcdic28Ne8Rey7gBw4s4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Mental Load: Invisible, But Heavy</h3><p>There's a silent weight that comes with this kind of life. It’s the exhaustion that creeps in when you’re constantly “on the go”, with no clean cut between jobs. The worry of being stretched too thin, of not doing enough on the farm, in the workplace, at home.</p><p>Many part-time farmers don’t feel seen. They're not at the mart as much, not at meetings, often missing out on schemes or updates. And that invisibility can gnaw away at you, especially when your role in the agri-community starts to feel conditional.</p><p>Let’s be honest, the toll is real. Mentally, physically, emotionally. This isn’t just a financial balancing act, it’s a personal one, too.</p><figure id="figure-0sm3e1aaxbmbhzpkxq" class=""><img id="0sm3e1aaxbmbhzpkxq" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/92024115/photo/irish-farmer-with-cows.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6HlkTste4t-YwUuGZdTeCELUU64fRigDpldrsfLcab4=" alt="Irish Farmer with Cows" title="Irish Farmer with 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://media.gettyimages.com/id/92024115/photo/irish-farmer-with-cows.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6HlkTste4t-YwUuGZdTeCELUU64fRigDpldrsfLcab4=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Time Isn’t Just Money—It’s the Biggest Struggle of All</h3><p>For many part-time farmers, the biggest resource in short supply isn’t money, it’s time. When you’re working off-farm all day and farming in the margins—early mornings, late evenings, weekends—you’re constantly racing the clock. Routine jobs like dosing, fencing or moving cattle become logistical puzzles. A vet visit has to be booked around work shifts. Machinery breakdowns don’t care about deadlines.</p><p>It’s not just physical exhaustion, it’s mental overload. Planning becomes a constant juggling act, where one small disruption can set everything off course. And all too often, something has to give—be it social life, self-care, or sleep.</p><p>It’s not about poor planning or laziness. It’s about being caught in a system that demands full-time input from farmers who can’t afford to give it. Until we start designing policies and supports that reflect that reality, we’ll keep losing good people to burnout and breakdown.</p><figure id="figure-3xn0vbszljmbhztky3" class=""><img id="3xn0vbszljmbhztky3" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1200581990/photo/senior-man-in-a-rural-setting-with-his-back-to-the-camera-looking-at-beef-cattle-in-a-field.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nAiSBIIGLFXPD04xQJzGcV5ntHYKT35vYgBd0DmohsU=" alt="Senior man in a rural setting with his back to the camera looking at beef cattle in a field in south west Scotland." title="Senior man in a rural setting with his back to the camera looking at beef cattle in a field in south west Scotland." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1200581990/photo/senior-man-in-a-rural-setting-with-his-back-to-the-camera-looking-at-beef-cattle-in-a-field.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=nAiSBIIGLFXPD04xQJzGcV5ntHYKT35vYgBd0DmohsU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Family Life on the Margins</h3><p>When farming becomes a second job, family time often becomes the third. Weekends turn into catch-up sessions—repairs, paperwork, meal prepping for the week ahead. Evenings are a blur of homework, stock checks, and making sure everyone has clean socks for the morning. There’s little room for rest, never mind spontaneity.</p><p>The guilt can be fierce, missing matches, skipping school pickups, forgetting anniversaries. It’s not that farmers don’t care. It’s that the clock never stops, and something always needs doing. Farming has always been a family affair, but for part-time farmers, family life can end up running on leftovers, leftover time, leftover energy, leftover attention.</p><p>Still, the love for the land runs deep. And many keep going not in spite of their family, but because of them, holding out hope that one day, the balance might tilt back in their favour.</p><figure id="figure-nadkhvm3dmbhzxsrr" class=""><img id="nadkhvm3dmbhzxsrr" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1393090476/photo/shepherd-placing-newborn-lamb-in-a-trailer-sussex-uk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=BoaWLoZRjTEztkz47cekG3CfZ1LA2ARP6fZ_eX1_XBE=" alt="Shepherd placing newborn lamb in a trailer, Sussex UK" title="Shepherd placing newborn lamb in a trailer, Sussex UK" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1393090476/photo/shepherd-placing-newborn-lamb-in-a-trailer-sussex-uk.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=BoaWLoZRjTEztkz47cekG3CfZ1LA2ARP6fZ_eX1_XBE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Part-time farming isn’t failure, it’s resilience. It’s doing what needs to be done to keep the place going, the family cared for, and the lights on. But that constant juggling comes at a cost; physically, mentally, emotionally. Many farmers are burning out quietly, feeling invisible and stretched to breaking point. If that sounds familiar, know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to carry it all in silence.</p><p>Talk to someone. Reach out to family, friends, a colleague, or us here at the Informed Farmer. Support is there, and asking for it is a sign of strength, not weakness.</p><p>You’re not just running a farml, you’re carrying a future, and that deserves to be recognised.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

The Rise of Part-Time Farming: Juggling Farm, Family, and Careers

the concept of processing the cultivation of an agricultural field with automated machinery with a tractor based on artificial intelligence. collection and transmission of data to optimize energy costs and increase yields

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Picture this, it’s 2040 and you’re standing at the gate with a flask in hand, looking out over the land. The field still looks the same, but everything around it has changed, quietly, steadily, and sometimes in ways you didn’t see coming. There’s a drone checking pasture condition, your tractor is booked in for a software update, and your son’s just asked if you’ve considered growing seaweed. Welcome to the future of farming.</p><p>We’re not here to talk about flying cows or robot butlers, instead, we’re here to talk about some of the real shifts already reshaping farming life in Ireland, and where we’re heading if we want to keep the lights on, the animals healthy, and the land in good heart.</p><figure id="figure-sq1bbp6glmbhwmjqi"><img id="sq1bbp6glmbhwmjqi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1302537648/photo/future-environmental-conservation-and-sustainable-esg-modernizat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=2aFJphZ0VK68gPyl7cHtbDwb6tSPBroGih3734yig5k=" alt="Future environmental conservation and sustainable ESG modernizat" title="Future environmental conservation and sustainable ESG modernizat" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1302537648/photo/future-environmental-conservation-and-sustainable-esg-modernizat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=2aFJphZ0VK68gPyl7cHtbDwb6tSPBroGih3734yig5k=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Global Trade</h3><p>For decades, Irish farmers have relied on strong export markets, especially to the EU, the UK, and the US. But that world is wobbling and tariffs, political tensions, and carbon border taxes are shaking the foundations. Just last year, new US tariffs on EU food imports threw key Irish exports like butter, cheese, and whiskey into chaos. It’s a reminder that what happens in Washington or Brussels doesn’t stay there, it hits your bottom line on a soggy Tuesday in Roscommon.</p><p>By 2040, global food trade will be tighter, not looser. Countries will protect their own supplies, and food miles will come under more scrutiny than ever. Ireland’s agri-food reputation still holds strong—but to stay competitive, we’ll need to prove not just quality, but sustainability, traceability and fairness.</p><p>That means knowing your carbon footprint. It means being able to say, hand on heart, “this product fed people, protected soil, and left no one behind.”</p><p><br></p><figure id="figure-qibub7yjosmbhwmy4t"><img id="qibub7yjosmbhwmy4t" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/178463866/photo/foods.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6rz0emUP4WDlD7AXSgOo3_pshcCvBBpUPYuRk68lE9E=" alt="foods" title="foods" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/178463866/photo/foods.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=6rz0emUP4WDlD7AXSgOo3_pshcCvBBpUPYuRk68lE9E=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Climate Breakdown</h3><p>Ask any farmer and they’ll tell you that the weather’s not what it used to be. Fields that were once reliable are now drowning in winter or bone-dry in June, calving seasons are unpredictable, spreading windows are tighter, and storms are stronger.</p><p>Farming now accounts for over a third of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions and if we want to stay farming in 2040, we’ll need to farm differently. Thankfully, some changes are already showing promise. Agricultural emissions in Ireland dropped by nearly 5% in the last year alone, with more farmers moving towards lower nitrogen fertilisers, mixed swards, and regenerative practices. And that’s where we need to lean in.</p><p>By 2040, carbon will be as important as cattle. Knowing how much your land is storing, or leaking, will influence everything from grants to market access. Hedgerows, cover crops, low-emission slurry spreading, won’t be seen as “green extras”, they’ll be core to the job.</p><figure id="figure-1x65x65xlmbhy2jwd" class=""><img id="1x65x65xlmbhy2jwd" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1365127764/photo/typical-irish-countryside-of-green-grassy-fields-west-cork-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=MzeDBZk2HsPnqNr8rTUr7eHzsh4UpyaqwxPR0OTQxlE=" alt="Typical Irish countryside of green grassy fields West Cork Ireland" title="Typical Irish countryside of green grassy fields West 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://media.gettyimages.com/id/1365127764/photo/typical-irish-countryside-of-green-grassy-fields-west-cork-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=MzeDBZk2HsPnqNr8rTUr7eHzsh4UpyaqwxPR0OTQxlE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Feeding More People with Less Land</h3><p>We’re heading for a world of nine billion people by 2040 and fewer safe places to grow food. Irish land is some of the best in Europe, but we won’t be immune to the squeeze. We’ll be asked to produce more, with less fertiliser, fewer antibiotics, lower emissions, and higher welfare standards. No pressure, right?</p><p>This is where data and tech will be your best friends. In the future, most farms will run with real-time insight, on soil moisture, herd health, grass growth, even disease risk. It won’t replace experience, but it’ll take some of the guesswork out of the game. And what we grow will shift, too. We’ll see more protein crops, more diversified swards, and new kinds of income, from agroforestry to carbon credits to supplying alternative protein chains (yes, even bugs and lab-grown meat will have a place).</p><figure id="figure-hg6hm1qk4jmbhy72yb" class=""><img id="hg6hm1qk4jmbhy72yb" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1213839449/photo/3d-rendering-of-planet-earth-closeup-with-stylized-red-and-white-men-over-it.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=mSlwerYUENKodhQq2oRvZIIyH3T4rBvnyVIo493CgMA=" alt="3d rendering of Planet Earth closeup with stylized red and white men over it(elements of this image by Nasa)" title="3d rendering of Planet Earth closeup with stylized red and white men over it(elements of this image by Nasa)" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1213839449/photo/3d-rendering-of-planet-earth-closeup-with-stylized-red-and-white-men-over-it.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=mSlwerYUENKodhQq2oRvZIIyH3T4rBvnyVIo493CgMA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Farming in Cities and Seas</h3><p>By 2040, not all farming will happen in fields. Some will take place in high-rise buildings, old shipping containers, or just off the Irish coast.</p><p>Urban agriculture is on the rise, particularly in densely populated cities where space is limited and food miles are under scrutiny. Vertical farming, a key component of urban agriculture, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven by advancements in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technologies, including hydroponics and aeroponics, which allow for efficient, year-round crop production in urban settings.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ireland's coastline is emerging as a new frontier for sustainable farming. The Irish seaweed industry, currently valued at over €45 million annually, has significant potential for expansion. Seaweed is a nutrient-rich, fast-growing resource that serves multiple purposes, from food and fertilizer to carbon capture. In 2021, Ireland harvested approximately 50.5 tonnes of cultivated seaweed, indicating room for growth in this sector.</p><p>Aquaculture is also evolving, with regenerative systems that combine shellfish and seaweed farming to clean water while producing food. The global aquaculture market is projected to grow from USD 160.9 billion in 2024 to USD 262.09 billion by 2032. This growth reflects a shift towards sustainable seafood production methods that not only meet rising demand but also contribute to environmental restoration.</p><p>This isn't a sideshow, it could be a major part of Ireland's sustainable food future.</p><figure id="figure-8h6qktl7mmbhyd2ac" class=""><img id="8h6qktl7mmbhyd2ac" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1142926776/photo/rooftop-greenhouse-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=KbDNnggIciTDGK6MSYC-rMZWlIeyn9VTVkFPk29_iRY=" alt="rooftop greenhouse garden" title="rooftop greenhouse garden" 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://media.gettyimages.com/id/1142926776/photo/rooftop-greenhouse-garden.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=KbDNnggIciTDGK6MSYC-rMZWlIeyn9VTVkFPk29_iRY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3>Automation</h3><p>Don’t worry, your tractor’s not going to sack you. But by 2040, you’ll have smarter backup. Robots and tech are already here. About 1,500 robotic milkers are working away on Irish farms, and tools like GPS-guided tractors, weed-zapping drones, and health-tracking cattle tags are quickly becoming the norm. Over 70% of dairy farms now use some form of automation, things like in-parlour feeders or automatic cluster removers. And this is just the start. The global agri-tech market is set to double by 2030, meaning better tools that are more affordable and easier to use.</p><p>You won’t be replaced, but your role will shift. Less muscle, more mindset. Less chasing problems, more staying ahead of them. You’ll move from herder to systems thinker. And don’t worry, the dog stays, he just might be wearing a smart collar.</p><figure id="figure-hqdwn8u6rcmbhypt5f" class=""><img id="hqdwn8u6rcmbhypt5f" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/911693276/photo/smart-robotic-in-agriculture-futuristic-concept-robot-farmers-must-be-programmed-to-work-to.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=b5w8617k_BbS3W9LRDP7-XKO8BCUBTxZ-S_91Nw6fe0=" alt="smart robotic in agriculture futuristic concept, robot farmers (automation) must be programmed to work to spray chemical,fertilizer or increase efficiency, growing a seed, harvesting, reduce time" title="smart robotic in agriculture futuristic concept, robot farmers (automation) must be programmed to work to spray chemical,fertilizer or increase efficiency, growing a seed, harvesting, reduce time" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/911693276/photo/smart-robotic-in-agriculture-futuristic-concept-robot-farmers-must-be-programmed-to-work-to.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=b5w8617k_BbS3W9LRDP7-XKO8BCUBTxZ-S_91Nw6fe0=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Risk of a Two-Speed Future</h3><p>Let’s not kid ourselves: all this tech and transition sounds great, but that's only if you can afford it. If the next 15 years only work for the biggest players, we risk building a two-speed agri-sector. Big, tech-savvy, capital-rich farms flying ahead, while family farms, already under pressure, fall further behind. We can’t let that happen. </p><p>Ireland’s agri-identity isn’t built on mega-farms. It’s built on small, skilled, community-rooted farmers. People who know their land by heart. They need backing, not just with grants, but with proper advisory support, broadband, education, and policy that understands rural realities.</p><p>If we lose them, we lose more than a food system. We lose our heritage.</p><figure id="figure-s1pxgt132lmbhys2ol" class=""><img id="s1pxgt132lmbhys2ol" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/508818153/photo/ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=t1HqH0lxDP4perS5j-_wTM8PY_p8Kc5yF-DcvXvdIJc=" alt="Ireland" title="Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/508818153/photo/ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=t1HqH0lxDP4perS5j-_wTM8PY_p8Kc5yF-DcvXvdIJc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>So, where does that leave us? The farm of 2040 won’t look like your grandfather’s, but the heart of it will remain the same, working with the land, not against it. Technology, climate pressures, and shifting markets will change the way we farm, but not why we farm. If we get it right, we’ll feed more people with less damage, and do it in a way that’s fair, local, and rooted in community.</p><p>But to do this,&nbsp; we need to bring everyone along, because a future that only works for the biggest farms isn’t a future worth having. Irish agriculture has always been built on adaptability, pride, and grit. That hasn’t changed. What’s changing is how we support that spirit, from better tools and fairer trade to policies that actually understand the rural reality.</p><p>The choices we make today, on our land, in our homes, and at the policy table, will shape the fields of tomorrow and that future’s coming, ready or not.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

The Future of Farming: A Glimpse into 2040

Worried farmer with hands on hips in barley field

<h3>Introduction</h3><p>Farming’s always been part of who we are in Ireland. Most of us reading this grew up around it; early mornings, cold hands, muck on the boots, and one eye always on the sky. There’s pride in it, no doubt that quiet, steady way of just getting on with things.</p><p>But underneath all that, there’s stuff we don’t really talk about. Not properly. Mental health. And the truth is, it’s taking a toll. Farmers are tired, not just from the graft, but from carrying everything else on top of it. The pressure, the uncertainty, the feeling that they’ve to handle it all alone, and it’s wearing people down.</p><figure id="figure-fovow2dt2mbhp82c7" class=""><img id="fovow2dt2mbhp82c7" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/875237218/photo/headed-off-the-feed-the-livestock.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=fJX8j8QW-COti-8WssxjbOtV49Dtxrd2nAGX8bKi2pM=" 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="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/875237218/photo/headed-off-the-feed-the-livestock.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=fJX8j8QW-COti-8WssxjbOtV49Dtxrd2nAGX8bKi2pM=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Hidden Load Farmers Carry</h3><p>It’s hard to explain the kind of pressure farming brings unless you’ve lived it. The days aren’t long, they can be endless. The margin for error is slim, and the pace is dictated by animals, seasons, and systems you can’t control.</p><p>DCU (Dublin City University) conducted a study in 2024 and highlighted the figures surrounding this. They found that 23.6% of Irish farmers are experiencing clinical levels of burnout, and over half are struggling with stress-related sleep loss. Those aren’t abstract numbers, they’re real people lying awake, running through costs and weather forecasts, wondering how they’re going to make it work another year.</p><p>And burnout doesn’t mean being a bit tired, it means your mind and body are pushed to the brink. It's the kind of fatigue that no amount of rest can fix. One dairy farmer from Cork who we spoke to summed it up by saying, “You’re never finished. Even when you sit down, your head is still working. You’re never really off.”</p><figure id="figure-y3i7ii75dbmbhqgu66" class=""><img id="y3i7ii75dbmbhqgu66" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1466645175/photo/adult-woman-with-blond-hair-kneeling-inside-of-a-stubble-field-with-cut-corn-plants-in-the.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=U5wRNtKGsNPaxQ4hFR4LJFkFFO_VEbd71E68rMZgNVU=" alt="Adult woman with blond hair kneeling inside of a stubble field with cut corn plants in the evening,looking at the sunset at the horizon,sunbeam" title="Adult woman with blond hair kneeling inside of a stubble field with cut corn plants in the evening,looking at the sunset at the horizon,sunbeam" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1466645175/photo/adult-woman-with-blond-hair-kneeling-inside-of-a-stubble-field-with-cut-corn-plants-in-the.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=U5wRNtKGsNPaxQ4hFR4LJFkFFO_VEbd71E68rMZgNVU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Silence That Hurts the Most</h3><p>In rural Ireland, there’s still a strong sense that you should just crack on, keep going, and don’t make a fuss. And sure, isn’t everyone under pressure these days?</p><p>But here’s the problem, that stoicism we’re so proud of is costing us. It’s stopping people from speaking up, from reaching out. A study by FarMHealth showed that while 71% of farmers would consider getting help, more than half didn’t know where to start. Some didn’t even know what services existed.</p><p>And even when they do know, the fear of being judged is enough to keep them quiet. The stigma’s not gone yet, it lingers in small towns and back roads, in the unspoken rules that say “talking about your head isn’t for the likes of us.”</p><p>But that’s wrong. Dead wrong. Because silence is dangerous. And when people feel they have to battle alone, it can lead to devastating outcomes.</p><figure id="figure-3babddj5ajmbhr028f" class=""><img id="3babddj5ajmbhr028f" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/652805880/photo/rear-view-of-farmer-walking-in-the-field.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=hDzcl2TKJPDIhCVi09Rww-tc5dBJVK_rYQCq996tT0E=" alt="Rear view of farmer walking in the field" title="Rear view of farmer walking 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://media.gettyimages.com/id/652805880/photo/rear-view-of-farmer-walking-in-the-field.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=hDzcl2TKJPDIhCVi09Rww-tc5dBJVK_rYQCq996tT0E=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Climate Pressure and the Future of Farming</h3><p>On top of the daily grind, farmers in 2025 are carrying a different kind of burden: the pressure to change, to adapt, to do better for the environment, and fast.</p><p>There’s no denying that sustainability matters. Most farmers want to leave the land in better shape than they found it. But adapting to climate targets, new CAP rules, and emissions cuts takes a toll.</p><p>One young farmer in Tipperary told us, “I’m all for greener farming, but it feels like I’m being asked to jump through hoops with one leg tied. There’s grants, but they’re a maze. There’s advice, but it changes every month. It’s exhausting.”</p><p>Teagasc’s climate engagement reports now show rising levels of anxiety around environmental pressures. The expectation to be perfect stewards of the land, while staying commercially viable, is enough to wear anyone down. And it’s not just about the future, it’s about now. How do you farm sustainably if you can’t think straight? Mental health is part of climate resilience, always has been.</p><figure id="figure-0blecamioombhr78r7" class=""><img id="0blecamioombhr78r7" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2185434497/photo/looking-down-from-the-top-of-hills-at-a-landscape-of-green-pasture-and-dry-stone-walls.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=sM4y-quEVvEH1I6JvtKh5eRS926WIWDpoWMtqqoQfYY=" alt="Looking down from the top of hills at a Landscape of green pasture and dry stone walls typical of the Ireland, Aran Islands, Ireland" title="Looking down from the top of hills at a Landscape of green pasture and dry stone walls typical of the Ireland, Aran Islands, Ireland" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2185434497/photo/looking-down-from-the-top-of-hills-at-a-landscape-of-green-pasture-and-dry-stone-walls.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=sM4y-quEVvEH1I6JvtKh5eRS926WIWDpoWMtqqoQfYY=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Real Help, in Real Places</h3><p>Thankfully, change is happening, though not fast enough.</p><p>The On Feirm Ground programme is proving that meaningful support doesn’t have to come from a psychologist’s office. By training ag advisors, co-op staff and vets to spot early warning signs of stress, they’re bringing support to places farmers already go. It’s subtle, but powerful. A simple, “How are you really doing?” from someone you trust can open a door.</p><p>FarMHealth, meanwhile, has been running practical workshops on mental health. They offer real talk about how stress works, how burnout feels, and what you can do about it. Feedback from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive, because it speaks to them in their language.</p><p>And then there’s the government funding. In 2025, €2.5 million was ringfenced for mental health and farm safety initiatives. That’s going towards peer support groups, community events, and better access to counselling in rural areas. It’s a drop in the ocean, but it’s a drop that matters.</p><figure id="figure-8b4la7z2fnmbhrelac" class=""><img id="8b4la7z2fnmbhrelac" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1445994797/photo/ruins-of-farm-houses-in-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=_mZxC1xk5tPaI0izoas4S74lj41zUx6zfNd_xP6SvKQ=" alt="ruins of farm houses in Ireland" title="ruins of farm houses 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://media.gettyimages.com/id/1445994797/photo/ruins-of-farm-houses-in-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=_mZxC1xk5tPaI0izoas4S74lj41zUx6zfNd_xP6SvKQ=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>We Still Have a Long Way to Go</h3><p>For all the progress, the reality on the ground is this: many farmers still don’t have proper mental health support. The services are too far away, the waiting lists are too long, and the professionals don’t always understand the life.</p><p>There’s a massive need for farm-literate counsellors, people who understand that stress isn’t just about work, but about legacy, identity, and weather forecasts that change your whole year in an afternoon.</p><p>We also need better education, starting in agricultural colleges. Mental health should be on the syllabus alongside soil testing and machinery safety. Because if we’re preparing farmers for the future, we need to prepare them to look after themselves too.</p><p>Above all, we need to make checking in on someone a normal thing. A neighbour, a friend, a contractor, ask them how they’re doing, and be ready to hear something real.</p><figure id="figure-9tlu7j64zwmbhrh1o8" class=""><img id="9tlu7j64zwmbhrh1o8" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1140389630/photo/horse-trainer-in-his-yard-with-thoroughbred-race-horse-roscommon-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=BaZ7TjrluwErHucLP8BCNy8_cUPCnIL-UWqVZDOCpfE=" alt="Horse trainer in his yard with thoroughbred race horse, Roscommon, Ireland." title="Horse trainer in his yard with thoroughbred race horse, Roscommon, Ireland." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1140389630/photo/horse-trainer-in-his-yard-with-thoroughbred-race-horse-roscommon-ireland.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=BaZ7TjrluwErHucLP8BCNy8_cUPCnIL-UWqVZDOCpfE=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Need support? These people are here for you;</p><ul><li>Samaritans Ireland – Freephone 116 123</li><li>Text About It (Text 50808) – Free, 24/7 anonymous text support</li><li>Mental Health Ireland – <a href="http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie" data-mce-href="http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie">www.mentalhealthireland.ie</a></li><li>Pieta House – Suicide &amp; self-harm support: <a href="http://www.pieta.ie" data-mce-href="http://www.pieta.ie">www.pieta.ie</a></li></ul><p>At The Informed Farmer Consultancy, we work with Irish farmers every day. We see the long hours, the sacrifices, the deep care for the land. And we believe sustainability isn’t just about carbon, it’s about community, about mental wellbeing, about giving farmers the support they need to thrive.</p><p>This conversation isn’t over. It’s just starting. And you’re not in it alone.</p><p><br></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

Addressing Mental Health in Irish Agriculture 2025

<h3>Introduction&nbsp;</h3><p>Big things are brewing in Carlow, quite literally. The National Centre for Brewing and Distilling has just opened its doors at Teagasc Oak Park, and it’s not just a win for the drinks industry, it's one for Irish farmers, tillage growers, and anyone interested in sustainable, homegrown enterprise.</p><p>Launched by Minister of State Martin Heydon and backed by €2.3 million in funding since 2020, the centre is packed with cutting-edge equipment designed to support everything from beer brewing and spirit distillation to non-alcoholic craft drinks and sensory analysis of Irish whiskey. But what makes this development really exciting is its potential to bring the drinks industry closer to the Irish field.</p><figure id="figure-qxu4k2m17mmbar6awk"><img id="qxu4k2m17mmbar6awk" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1425033867/photo/brewery-equipment-brew-manufacturing-round-cooper-storage-tanks-for-beer-fermentation-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Oim-9-bOnoqaWedgLzQjxt72K4LbBa9sjtWCK9Lasqg=" alt="Brewery equipment. Brew manufacturing. Round cooper storage tanks for beer fermentation and maturation" title="Brewery equipment. Brew manufacturing. Round cooper storage tanks for beer fermentation and maturation" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1425033867/photo/brewery-equipment-brew-manufacturing-round-cooper-storage-tanks-for-beer-fermentation-and.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Oim-9-bOnoqaWedgLzQjxt72K4LbBa9sjtWCK9Lasqg=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Reconnecting Field and Glass</h3><p><br>For years, much of the work involved in developing new beers and spirits such as; testing grains, trialling recipes, and refining flavours, had to be done overseas. It was expensive, logistically awkward, and a missed opportunity for Irish agriculture. Now, with this state-of-the-art centre based in Carlow, all of that changes.</p><p>Producers can work directly with Irish-grown grain and farmers can finally be part of that creative process, not just sitting at the raw end of the supply chain.</p><figure id="figure-a1jumjlv5mbarrw0k" class=""><img id="a1jumjlv5mbarrw0k" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1419422545/photo/ruin-of-a-windmill-in-a-field-of-wheat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=aTeOselKEDzYi2NYNo5m08LB10HmpnGZ-RQvZm6I_gs=" alt="Ruin of a windmill in a field of wheat" title="Ruin of a windmill in a field of wheat" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1419422545/photo/ruin-of-a-windmill-in-a-field-of-wheat.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=aTeOselKEDzYi2NYNo5m08LB10HmpnGZ-RQvZm6I_gs=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Good News for Grain Growers</h3><p>In 2024, incomes on tillage farms increased with the average hitting around €30,000. Spring barley is back in strong demand too, with nearly 140,000 hectares planted last year, well above what we’ve seen over the past five.</p><p>Still, things can be uncertain. Grain prices bounce around, and markets don’t always play fair. That’s where the new brewing and distilling centre in Carlow could make a real difference. It gives Irish growers a way to connect directly with producers looking for quality, local ingredients.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s a simple idea, really: the closer the connection between field and final product, the better it is for everyone. It adds value to the grain, cuts out some middlemen, and gives farmers a bigger stake in the finished story.&nbsp;</p><figure id="figure-35gd1ock3hmbarwav9" class=""><img id="35gd1ock3hmbarwav9" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/147318570/photo/golden-grains-of-irish-fields.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Z2RHuLN9nMGm9YaTDuPXnLomS_t_Zw8glWZhzXaJn0s=" alt="Golden grains of Irish fields" title="Golden grains of Irish fields" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/147318570/photo/golden-grains-of-irish-fields.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Z2RHuLN9nMGm9YaTDuPXnLomS_t_Zw8glWZhzXaJn0s=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Sustainbility Side of Things</h3><p>When people talk about sustainability, it’s easy for the conversation to drift into vague territory. But at its core, it boils down to practical decisions that make long-term sense. If we can grow the grain here, malt it here, brew it here, and bottle it here, we cut out a whole load of unnecessary steps; fewer food miles, less reliance on imported grain, and more value staying within the country. It’s better for the environment, and it’s better business too.</p><p>Plenty of farmers are already putting in break crops like beans, oats, and oilseeds. These aren’t just good for the ground; they’re vital for crop rotation and reducing the need for chemical inputs. The issue has always been finding consistent, worthwhile outlets for them.</p><p>With this centre up and running, there’s now a real market for what’s grown here. A brewery needing Irish oats for a limited-release stout, or a distillery experimenting with a new mash bill, it all starts to add up. It gives those crops a destination, and that helps keep the whole system balanced and worthwhile.</p><p>It’s not about ticking sustainability boxes for the sake of it. It’s about building a system that works, from the ground up.</p><figure id="figure-25nx4kfn5jmbasdigw" class=""><img id="25nx4kfn5jmbasdigw" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1084732474/photo/making-beer.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=gt_FdtwUU46DIURMrGjSdtvSuVTgXWhMnAVSGzPnqGc=" alt="making beer" title="making beer" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1084732474/photo/making-beer.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=gt_FdtwUU46DIURMrGjSdtvSuVTgXWhMnAVSGzPnqGc=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>From Pot Stills to People Skills</h3><p><br>Beyond the tech and the testing, the centre is also a place of learning. It will be used to train students in brewing and distilling, offering practical, real-world experience. That’s not just good news for graduates, it’s great news for the industry.</p><p>We need a new generation of people who understand both the science and the story behind what we drink. Who know where the grain came from. Who care about quality, sustainability, and the future of Irish food and farming.</p><figure id="figure-w16ufwntgdmbasf6js" class=""><img id="w16ufwntgdmbasf6js" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1611425462/photo/man-and-woman-working-in-craft-brewery-examining-quality-of-the-beer.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=15wMP3MsD1Ese0Ua0Hz3VTekroojzwbTXKABoMHvPno=" alt="Man and woman working in craft brewery examining quality of the beer." title="Man and woman working in craft brewery examining quality of the beer." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1611425462/photo/man-and-woman-working-in-craft-brewery-examining-quality-of-the-beer.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=15wMP3MsD1Ese0Ua0Hz3VTekroojzwbTXKABoMHvPno=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The newly opened National Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Teagasc Oak Park, Carlow, is a major step forward for Irish agriculture and the drinks sector. Backed by €2.3 million in funding, it brings product development, once outsourced abroad, back onto Irish soil. Farmers can now work directly with producers, creating a stronger link between grain and glass. With tillage incomes rising and demand for crops like spring barley growing, the centre offers real opportunity in a volatile market. It also strengthens sustainability by reducing food miles and supporting the use of break crops like oats and beans. On top of that, it’s a training ground for the next generation of brewers and distillers, people who value Irish grain, understand the land, and care about quality.</p><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><p>*By Anne Hayden MSc., Founder, The Informed Farmer Consultancy.</p>

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