Latest news with #TeagascNationalFarmSurvey
Agriland
27-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
July date for Moorepark Dairy Open Day
The Teagasc Moorepark Dairy Open Day will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 with the theme of 'Innovating for the Future'. According to the organisers, the dairy industry has been through transformational change in the past decade since the removal of milk quotas. The pent-up capacity for growth was released, and milk solids output has almost doubled. The growth of the dairy industry, which began in 2011, coincided with financial challenges in the Irish economy. Over the past 15 years, the Irish dairy industry has withstood a global pandemic, war on the continent of Europe and more recently global financial trade barriers and Teagasc has said that since 2022, the dairy industry has entered a new phase of consolidation. Teagasc director, Prof. Frank O'Mara said: 'It is important that we take time to reflect and plan for the next phase of development for the Irish dairy industry. 'The industry must continue to align with EU and national policy objectives, with a particular focus on lowering carbon emissions, enhancing animal welfare, improving water and air quality and enhancing biodiversity. 'At the same time, dairy farms must generate financially rewarding career opportunities with a favourable work-life balance.' Future for dairy Providing business models that encourage and reward young, enthusiastic, and well-trained people to enter and prosper in the industry is essential for its future sustainability, according to Teagasc. A clear pathway for these prospective dairy farmers to achieve their goals is needed to ensure that they are attracted into the industry. Chairman FBD Trust, Michael Berkery said: 'At FBD, we're proud to partner with Teagasc in supporting the 2025 Moorepark Open Day. 'We recognise the vital role events like the open day play in fostering knowledge, innovation, and collaboration within the farming community. 'Knowledge sharing and education around best practise and new technologies are critical to empower dairy farmers to build innovative, sustainable businesses for the future. 'The Moorepark Open Day provides an invaluable opportunity for farmers and industry leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the latest advancements in dairy production, all while shaping the future of Irish agriculture.' Speaking at the launch of the open day, head of the Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation Programme, Prof. Laurence Shalloo said: 'Dairy farms and dairy farming are consistently one of the most profitable agricultural enterprises reported by the Teagasc National Farm Survey. 'A strong recovery in family farm income occurred in 2024 following a very challenging year in 2023. 'A strong performance is expected in 2025 with to-date a favourable spring, strong milk prices as well as strong cull cow and calf prices. 'The dairy industry has a consistent track record of innovation in areas for example around the uptake of the EBI [economic breeding index], the uptake of white and red clover at farm level, the use of sexed semen, and the use of high DBI [dairy beef index] bulls to increase the beef merit of non-replacement dairy calves from the dairy herd.' The Teagasc professor explained that this level of innovation and technology adoption will be key to addressing the challenges of cost control, generational renewal, improved water quality and lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the industry moves forward. 'The dairy industry has consistently responded in a positive manner to challenges in the past, and I am sure it will face the current challenges with the same focus,' Shalloo added. 'Moorepark '25 will provide the pathway and support to farm families to address these challenges while embracing the opportunities.' Demonstrations Demonstrations and workshops will take place throughout the day on: Grazing management; Reseeding; Low emission slurry spreading (LESS); Fertiliser type; White clover swards; Calibration of fertiliser spreaders; Farm infrastructure; Manure storage options; Body condition scoring; Milk quality; Calf rearing; Genetics; Health and safety. There will be a particular focus on bovine tuberculosis (TB) and TB control at farm level demonstrated on the day. Discussion forums at the open day will take place around cost control and growth opportunities for dairy farm businesses, from a national and international perspective. A number of topics will be discussed at the Ornua forum area including market updates, milk quality as well as an industry forum to discuss future challenges and opportunities for the industry as a whole. Teagasc Moorepark '25 aims to be an informative event for those with an interest in the Irish dairy industry. A comprehensive booklet will be provided and admission and parking is free, no booking necessary. Gates open from 8:30a.m and the event closes at 5:00p.m on Wednesday, July 2.
Agriland
15-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
FCI: 80% of Irish agricultural drivers earning €15-20/hr
The median gross hourly wage rate for agricultural machinery operators working in agricultural contractor fleets in Ireland in 2025, is between €15-20/hour, according to the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI). The association recently carried out a nationwide contractor wage survey which found that all of the respondents reported paying their operators gross rates of between €15–€25/hour. The FCI noted that no respondents reported paying their operators above €25/hour and only 19% reported paying gross wage rates of between €21-25/hour. The figures show that the most experienced operators working in agricultural contractor teams are commanding gross wage rates of between €21-25/hour. FCI The survey found that the majority of operators are receiving a gross wage of between €15-20/hour. For most agricultural contractor businesses, the FCI believes that gross hourly wage rates above these levels are unsustainable in the current economic environment. The association added that agricultural contractors are also constrained in terms of gross hourly wage rates by level of costs, as contractor charges, that can be viably passed on to their farming clients. This is reflected in an analysis of the Teagasc National Farm Survey, over a period of ten years, which has shown that the cost of contracting services to Irish farms remains at 14% of total direct costs. The FCI said that owners of contracting businesses have to provide funding for employers PRSI, insurance and take account downtime pay due to weather impacts along with other miscellaneous costs. It said that this means that the actual cost of labour is already significantly higher than the actual gross wage rate received by the operator on an hourly basis. 'These findings are in line with FCI's Contractor Charges Guide for 2025 which FCI produces every year from consultation with agricultural contractor members and sector colleagues. 'FCI continues to work with members and industry colleagues to promote fair employment and safe practices as well as provide skilled career opportunities for machine operators within the industry, which now has an annual gross turnover in excess of €950 million,' the association said.
Agriland
29-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Generational renewal: Policy, incentives and cultural shifts needed
Policy reform, financial incentives and cultural shifts are all needed to address the 'complex challenge' of generational renewal in agricultural, a new report has stated. The Annual Agricultural Land Market Review and Outlook 2025 report, published today (Tuesday, April 29), contains a dedicated section on farm succession and generational renewal. The report from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and Teagasc noted the challenge is further compounded 'due to an ageing cohort of farmers, who are reluctant to transfer land, and for whom financial concerns persist'. The report also highlighted that the average age of farmers is 59 years and just 4.3% are under 35 years. Generational renewal The SCSI survey of auctioneers and valuers found the main reasons for such low land volumes coming to the market for sale relate to cultural, taxation and succession planning issues. Dr. Frank Harrington chair of the SCSI's Rural Agency Committee, said that 'land mobility continues to remain a significant challenge' Many survey respondents believe the government should review the tax treatment of agricultural land to entice more land to the market to support the younger generations of farmers. 'More land on the market would assist younger farmers enter the market which could also help improve profitability in farming with a scaling up of food production. 'The responses to the survey highlight that in the context of an ageing farming demographic, there is a greater likelihood that their land will be made available for long-term leasing rather than being made available on the sales market,' Harrington said. Research has highlighted that adequate pension provision is key and requires long-term planning. The report stated that addressing pension issues and integrating with other tax reforms and land mobility policies should be considered in the effort to improve farm succession rates. It added that collaborative and structured succession models, such as farm partnerships, show promise in overcoming barriers and are crucial for sustainable farm transitions. The report points to the role of older farmers in knowledge transfer and mentoring. 'Research highlights the need for policies that allow for gradual transitions rather than 'abrupt' retirement, especially given the number of farmers who indicate that they never plan to retire,' Dr Jason Loughrey, Teagasc economist, said. 'While it appears that young farmers have difficulty in competing in land rental markets, insights from the Teagasc National Farm Survey suggest that a large volume of additional land may become available to land rental markets in the medium-term. 'This may support the prospects for younger farmers in some parts of Ireland. However, the availability of medium-sized and large plots of land will remain important for younger farmers in regions where dairy and tillage farming are most prevalent. 'We need to put the structures in place now to facilitate this type of land market activity,' he said. The government-appointed Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming is due to present its report by the end of June. Agricultural outlook Meanwhile, the Annual Agricultural Land Market Review and Outlook 2025 also highlights how the strong improvement in output prices for livestock and milk which emerged in 2024 is continuing into this year. Dr. Jason Loughrey estimated that the average net margin per litre of milk produced increased by 84% to 13.3c/L last year. 'Prices were higher in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024. 'This year, beef prices have reached record levels and were approximately 40% above the average for the first quarter of last year. So far this year lamb prices are up 19%,' the economist said. 'However, the introduction of new tariffs on exports to the US is adding uncertainty for both the short and medium term. 'Exports of Irish butter to the US have grown rapidly in recent years and this market may become less lucrative given the imposition of 10% tariffs with the possibility that additional tariffs may be imposed,' he warned. Dr Loughrey noted that aside from the impact of tariffs, the prospect of a trade war is also affecting exchange rates and global economic growth prospects. 'Having been close to parity with the Euro in January 2025, the US dollar has since weakened in value. 'This has negative implications for the euro value of Irish agri-food exports traded in dollars and positive implications for the cost in euro terms of imports of key agricultural inputs such as feed, fertiliser and energy, which are also traded in dollars,' he said.
