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Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Agri-tourism seen as lifeline for most vulnerable Irish farms
A renewed interest is being shown in agri-tourism as farmers seek ways to generate a second income to ensure a viable future for their families. The move is a result of looming challenges ranging from geo-political threats to trade, issues over the future funding of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the impact of climate change and how to tackle it. Teagasc stresses that while agriculture will continue to be the cornerstone of rural areas, the need to generate a second income to attract a successor and ensure viability is a reality for most farm families. It has outlined how rural tourism has huge potential to revitalise local economies, provide job opportunities for farm household members, and enhance the quality of life of local communities. Failte Ireland data has also highlighted a significant increase in online searches related to rural tourism, reflecting the growing interest in the sector. The activities may involve staying on a farm or touring food trails and events, participating in agricultural endeavours, or buying produce direct from a farm or market. Margaret Edgill, an organic farmer, artisan food producer, and grower in Daingean, Co Offaly, also researched the sector as a Nuffield Scholar in 2023. Her report noted that agri-food and tourism, traditionally two of Ireland's strongest indigenous enterprise sectors, are built on the natural and human capital found in rural areas. Off-farm income She referenced the 2021 National Farm Survey (NFS), Viability of Farms by System, which found that 37% of cattle farms, both rearing and other, were vulnerable. These tended be the smallest farms at around 34ha each. Accordingly, there are over 24,500 vulnerable farms with 50% in the eastern and Midland region, 37% in the northern and western region, and 24% in the southern region. She explained that a holding is economically vulnerable if the farm business is not viable and if neither farmer nor spouse works off farm. Historically, one type of diversification is widely practised on Irish farms — off-farm income. Accordingly, 34% of surveyed farms are "sustainable" due to off-farm income. Driven by global trends of concentration, low commodity prices and rising input costs, agricultural producers worldwide are looking at new opportunities to diversify and add revenue streams to their business. A popular and growing opportunity is agri-tourism, which she described as a type of experiential travel which connects people to products or produce, delivered on farming land through a direct "on-farm" experience. She predicted that agri-tourism will be a significant growth industry for Ireland's rural economy and more especially pivotal in future-proofing farm incomes. It has the potential to provide opportunities for multi-generational farm enterprises and succession planning, she added, suggesting that a national agri-tourism strategy is a priority. Glamping and shepherd huts Barry Caslin, a Teagasc energy and rural development specialist, has also detailed various trends, including farm-stays, glamping, and shepherd huts, as profitable ways for farmers to diversify their income and attract visitors seeking rural experiences. He pointed out that Irish farmers have several agri-tourism options available to diversify their income streams and attract visitors seeking authentic rural experiences. Meanwhile, agriculture minister Martin Heydon issued a call last January for proposals for agri-food tourism initiatives under the 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund. He said tourism and the agri-food sector share close ties and complement each other well. The funding provides support towards the development of agri-food tourism initiatives to help rural businesses develop their products and services, connect with the community and visitors, and improve the rural experience. "Ireland's agri-food sector is one of the main drivers of Ireland's economy, especially in rural and coastal areas," he said. Guided by the Food Vision 2030 strategy, we continue to develop links between local food and tourism offerings Total funding of almost €300,000 was made available for projects supporting agri-food tourism initiatives, including rural food markets. The maximum amount payable to any project was €25,000. A positive response from the sector resulted in funding being made available to 22 local agri-food tourism projects. Mr Heydon said the geographical spread of the projects this year illustrates the interest in the sector, the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities countrywide. 'Our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism,' he said. Mr Heydon noted that agri-food tourism in rural areas allows food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine. 'In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, connect with the local community, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice,' he said. Food promotion minister of state Noel Grealish said the large volume of applications submitted shows the appetite the sector has for innovative and collaborative ventures. 'The competition for funding under this programme is intense and those who were successful should be congratulated for their proposals and their upcoming projects,' he said.
Agriland
03-07-2025
- General
- Agriland
How can farmers increase annual grass growth to 15t DM/ha?
It was highlighted at one of the main boards at Moorepark '25 that farmers need to refocus on growing more grass on farms to reduce costs and increase performance. Teagasc research officer, Professor Michael O'Donovan said that grass dry matter (DM) production from all farms, as recorded on the National Farm Survey, averaged 9.2t DM/ha, whereas Paturebase Ireland recorded farms averaging 13.2t DM/ha/year from 2014-2024. The top 100 farms on Pasturbase Ireland recorded an average growth of 15.2t DM/ha, which is the target. Prof. O'Donovan added: 'It has been a good growing year so far and we are on track to grow 14t DM/ha this year.' He said there needs to be a step away from too much concentrates being fed, as it is holding back grass growth and utilisation. The researcher said it was very difficult – especially for different land types – to grow 15t DM/ha/year, and noted that it can only be achieved through optimum soil fertility to retain and utilise the nutrients, effective nutrient application, grassland management, and clover incorporation. It was highlighted on the day that in order to grow 15t of grass DM/ha, farmers should aim to grow 2.6t DM/ha in spring, 6.7t DM/ha in summer, and 5.7t DM/ha in the autumn. Grass growth According to Prof. O'Donovan, reports from 2024 suggest that soils on dairy farms were significantly below the levels required for optimum pasture growth and nutrient use efficiency. The reports showed that only 24% of soils are at optimum pH, P, and K, and only 60% of the soils have a pH of over 6.3. More than half (53%) of soils are only at index one or two for P and under half (47%) of soils are at index one or two for K. The grassland management and performance difference of farms growing different rates of grass is as follows: NFS average PBI average Top 100 PBI Farm productivity (t DM/ha) 9.7 13.2 15.2 Soil fertility Low Med High Grazing season length (days) 235 265 280 No. of grazings 6 7+ 8+ Concentrate usage (kg/cow) 1,350 1,100 800 Area in clover (%) <5% 20% 35% Area reseeding/over sowing <5% 5-10% 15-30% Fertiliser usage (kg N/ha) 170 190 200 Grass utilisation (t DM/ha) 7.7 10 12 Grass/clover swards were highlighted on the day by Teagasc's Michael Egan to be a proven technology to grow more herbage and improve animal performance by 8-10%, while also boosting intake and sward quality. Grass/clover swards allow farmers to reduce their N usage in the mid-season as swards with 20% clover may fixate up to 70-100kg N/ha. Based on April clover content, Teagasc highlighted the ease of aligning N inputs with clover content as nitrogen fixation will work away on its own with the odd top-up of dairy washings. 15t DM/ha It was highlighted that every farm can increase their grass growth by up to 20% by taking on an array of different actions to improve soil fetility, grazing infrastructure, grassland management, and clover incorporation. In the short-term, farmers should avail of their soil test results by spreading lime where necessary, and try to rectify low P and K paddocks and match N fertiliser applications. There are a number of key grazing management targets that must be achieved to maximise herbage production during the grazing season: Early February (opening farm cover) >1,000 kg DM/ha; Early April (start second rotation) 600 – 650 kg DM/ha; April to August 150 – 180 kg DM/LU; Mid-September (peak farm cover) 1,100 kg DM/ha; December 1st (closing farm cover) >750 kg DM/ha. In the medium-term, farmers need to match their farm's ability to grow grass with their stocking rate on the farm, so that you are not keeping extra cows to only hamper production and increase input costs. Farmers need to put their focus on growing and utilising more grass through optimal pre-grazing cover and post-grazing residuals to maintain quality and to reduce meal input. Michael Egan demonstrating the power of clover in growing 15t DM/ha In the longer term, farmers needs to ensure that their herd is performing off quality grass and their grazing infrastructure allows for this. Through good grazing infrastructure and management, farmers should be aiming for eight grazings in each paddock every year, which may lead to an extra 1.3t DM/ha. The correct pH of over 6.5 can lead to an extra 1.5t DM/ha, while using high pasture profit index (PPI)and high clover performing varieties can deliver an extra 1.5-2.5t DM/ha. Egan added: 'Growing 15t DM/ha is difficult, but if we want to achieve it, all of these actions have to line up.'
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘We urgently need to refocus on cost control at farm level'
This is according to Teagasc's Laurence Shalloo, who was speaking ahead of tomorrow's Moorepark Open Day. Shalloo – who heads Teagasc's Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Programme – said an analysis of CSO data shows a steep rise in agricultural input prices between 2020 and 2024. 'Since 2022, input price indices are showing reductions in costs, but input costs in 2024 were still approximately 35pc higher than 2020,' he will say. While many of the inflationary pressures at farm level were driven by external shocks – including the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine — Shalloo will say these were compounded by an increase in the use of purchased concentrate feed on farms. National Farm Survey data published last week shows that purchased concentrate expenditure on dairy farms typically totalled €61,517 in 2024. While this was actually a 5pc decrease relative to 2023 due to a fall in feed prices, feed volumes averaged 1,357kg per dairy cow in 2024, an increase compared to 2023. Costs per unit of milk have increased by over 50pc between 2020 and 2024, while only moderate increases in costs were observed over the previous 10 years 'Costs per unit of milk have increased by over 50pc between 2020 and 2024, while only moderate increases in costs were observed over the previous 10 years,' Shalloo will state. 'These inflationary pressures, compounded by weather-related pressures in 2023 and 2024, and a loss of focus on pasture management and utilisation, have resulted in significant cost pressures at farm level – which are particularly evident when milk price is reduced, such as in 2023. 'There is an urgent requirement to refocus on cost control at farm level.' Shalloo will highlight that grass silage and concentrate feed are three and four times more expensive, respectively, than grazed grass – making it essential for farmers to maximise the proportion of grazed grass in the dairy cow's diet to drive profitability. ADVERTISEMENT 'Key to this process is increasing pasture utilisation per hectare and reducing the proportion of bought-in feed in the diet of dairy cows,' he will say. On the environmental front, Shalloo will point to positive recent data from the EPA on water quality and emissions, noting that improvements are already being seen. He attributes these to policy changes under the Nitrates Directive, reduced fertiliser nitrogen use on farms, a greater focus on nutrient use efficiency, and improved weather and nutrient management at farm level. Notably, Shalloo will reveal that a forthcoming Teagasc report shows the average dairy cow in Ireland produces approximately 20pc more manure per week while housed than previously assumed. This, he says, will require additional investment in manure storage infrastructure on many farms, but could also unlock more value from nutrients in slurry.
RTÉ News
29-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Report raises questions about viability of Irish farming
Who will be farming our land in the coming decades and what will they be doing with it? That was the conundrum being teased out this week as Teagasc released the findings from its 2024 National Farm Survey. The research offered a comprehensive window into the statistics and financials behind the running of nearly 90,000 farms - out of around 130,000 - in Ireland. The analysis from the State agency responsible for agriculture and food development excluded 47,000 or so of the smallest farms in the country, which are surveyed separately. But it still covered the vast majority - 96% - of Ireland's agricultural output. The report's top line findings are welcome news for farmers, showing a substantial recovery in family farm incomes across all types of farming last year. It stated that the average family farm income rose by 87% to just under €36,000. Sheep farm incomes increased by 115% to €27,796, while dairy incomes also more than doubled - increasing by 113% to €108,189. Incomes in the tillage sector also rose, up 101% to €38,685. Judging by this, a person could be forgiven for thinking farmers' earnings are robust but upon deeper inspection of the data, it is clear it is not that simple. In its findings, Teagasc noted the significant income rises followed an especially bad year in 2023, so they were working off a low base. Overall average farm incomes for last year were still considerably lower when compared with 2022 - €46,313 in 2022 vs €35,937 in 2024. The term 'average' was being used in regard to these numbers quite a bit, however, averages can be misleading. For example, last year nearly one in five family farms surveyed by Teagasc had an income below €5,000. A further 16% earned less than €10,000 and just over half had an income below €20,000 - well short of the headline average income of €35,937. Incomes higher for dairy, but so is volatility. Dairy leads the way in terms of profitability and accounted for over half of the income generated on all types of farms last year. Despite this, volatility is a huge worry for dairy farmers. The National Farm Survey showed an upward trend in the average dairy farm income over the last decade, but it also clearly showed these incomes have become increasingly volatile. Volatility in milk prices over the last decade has been very pronounced, with the annual average milk price in 2022 more than double the 2016 price. At the same time, input costs for dairy farmers have surged since 2021, with labour costs a big driver. According to the Teagasc study, dairy farms are now the sector most reliant on unpaid family labour - 1.43 labour units vs an average of one unit across all farm types. Meanwhile, cattle and sheep farms have their own issues. Their average incomes per hectare are just around a third of that of dairy, with overhead costs much higher relative to the value of their output. Direct payments are vital to many farms' survival. This body of research also highlighted the "important contribution" direct payments make to farm incomes across the board. In many cases, these support payments - coming either directly from the Government or indirectly from EU funding - are the difference between survival and having to shut up shop. According to Teagasc, average incomes for cattle and sheep farms - before direct payments are factored in - remained negative, "emphasising the dependence of those systems on such financial support". The average direct payment on cattle rearing farms in 2024 was €17,927, with a family farm income of €13,547. The typical suckler farm therefore used €4,380 of those payments during the year to cover the farm's operating loss. In his assessment of the numbers, Irish Farmers' Association President Francie Gorman pointed to the need "to ensure that the CAP budget is protected and increased within the next EU budget". The EU is in the midst of agreeing its next budget, with farmers fearing their ringfenced funding could be dissolved into one bigger EU fund. Mr Gorman said: "Direct payments still constituted 84% of tillage farm income (in 2024), over 100% of sheep farm income and over 130% of suckler farm income. "That is why it is essential that our Government, and in particular our Minister for Agriculture, do everything in their power to ensure the CAP budget is ringfenced and increased as part of the next overall EU budget." Given the above data, it should not be much of a surprise that the Teagasc survey deems just 42% of Irish family farms to be economically viable. Although this figure is up from 27% in 2023, it again just goes to show the high level of volatility with farm economics from one year to the next. A farm is defined as economically viable if its income is sufficient to remunerate family labour at the minimum wage in 2024, which is assumed here to be €22,860 per labour unit. It also must provide a 5% return on the capital invested in non-land assets, such as machinery and livestock. A further third, or 34%, of farms are deemed to be 'sustainable'. These are farms considered not to be economically viable, but which have an off-farm income source within the household - such as either the farmer or spouse being employed off-farm - that help to stop the farm from dropping into the red. This is the reality for a growing number of farms. They need to have an off-farm income to help make ends meet. Teagasc noted that drystock farmers are the most likely to work off-farm. In 2024, on average 48% of operators on cattle rearing farms worked off-farm, while it was 43% for sheep farms and 49% for the tillage system. Although a much lower proportion of dairy farmers - 11% - work off-farm, 55% of dairy farm households have an off-farm employment income - a high proportion of spouses work off-farm in dairy farm households. There is one more category and it is a worrying one for farmers ... 'vulnerable'. A farm is deemed vulnerable if it is operating on a non-viable basis and if neither the farmer nor spouse has an off-farm job. Nearly a quarter of all farms, or 24%, fall into this category, and for sheep and cattle rearing farms the figure is closer to a third. The figures also show that more than a third, or 36%, of farm households were in receipt of a pension income last year. A pension is not an ideal or recommended funding method for a business, but this trend is also reflective of another major issue facing Irish family farms - the ageing working population and the challenge of generational renewal. The average age of the Irish farmer is 59 and with the stark economic reality highlighted above, it is getting increasingly harder to encourage the next generation to take over the family farm. With increasing income volatility, more regulation and growing uncertainty, farming is understandably not seen as an attractive prospect for younger people. The President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, the group representing around 16,000 dairy farms, said high debt levels (€150,000 for an average dairy farmer), the increasing cost of environmental challenges and the workload means "young people are voting with their feet and walking away from farming". "You look at future investment on farms for the new regulations that will come and the farmer is probably working up to 70 hours a week, so unfortunately it's not an attractive sector," Denis Drennan said. "Generation renewal is a huge issue and a major challenge to the sector," he added. The Government has put together a taskforce to deal with generational renewal and it is due to deliver initial proposals in the coming weeks. IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee Chair Teresa Roche said that with under 5% of farmers under 35 years of age, and 37% over 65, agriculture is "in crisis". She said a plan on generational renewal is needed urgently. In its submission to the taskforce, the IFA emphasised "key challenges such as access to land, financial support and the burden of regulatory requirements, which often discourage younger generations from taking up farming". According to the IFA, "there is no one measure that can encourage more young people into agriculture – but rather a combination of factors". Meanwhile, President of the Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers' Association Sean McNamara pointed out that "the absence of a dedicated retirement or succession scheme for decades has created a severe bottleneck in land mobility". His association represents a cohort of farmers that the Teagasc study suggested are among the most vulnerable. Mr McNamara said: "There is a major block preventing younger farmers from entering the sector. "Older farmers are holding onto land because they have no financial security if they step back. "This has created a major barrier to land mobility and farm succession." The concerns of the various farming organisations on the future of farming, as well as the findings from the Teagasc 2024 National Farm Survey, bring the question posed at the outset into sharp focus: Who will be farming our land in the coming decades and what will they be doing with it? It is clear that if nothing changes on the policy front, fewer younger people will enter farming and older farmers nearing the end of their working lives will have some tough decisions to make as to what happens next to their business and if it will remain as an active farming operation. Other countries, notably the United States, focus on large-scale industrial farming. Thusfar, Ireland has gone a different direction with the family-run farm, keeping livestock in their natural environment for the most part and embracing traditional methods of farming. This has been a unique selling point globally for Irish food and drink produce, but the question now is how far we are willing to go as a country to maintain this tradition.
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘It is a very big conundrum – who is going to be farming our land in 20 years' time?'
Around half of cattle farms have an off-farm income, according to the newly launched National Farm Survey, while 36pc of all farm households are in receipt of a pension – highlighting the ageing farming population and the challenge of generational renewal There are lots of farms where there won't be a successor, according to Teagasc director Frank O'Mara, as generational renewal is a 'very challenging' issue. Speaking at the National Farm Survey launch yesterday, he said we need to look and see if there are other pathways into farming – not just leasing the farm – for current non-landowners. 'But it is a very big conundrum: who is going to be farming our land in 20 years' time?'
