Farm Business

57% of farms earned less than €20,000 in 2022
57% of farms earned less than €20,000 in 2022 Teagasc economists have released the final figures from farm incomes in 2022 based on the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS). The results are representative of over 85,000 farms nationally. Presented in the form of Family Farm Income (FFI), which represents the return from […]
22 November 2023

Why pension planning is key in the early stages of your farming career
Why pension planning is key in the early stages of your farming career Securing an income from a pension after retirement from farming can ease money worries and also ease the cash flow burden on the successor by providing the retiring farmer with a guaranteed income source for their later years. Both […]
31 October 2023

Is organic farming profitable?
Is organic farming profitable? With the reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), many farmers are wondering is organic farming profitable. Enda O’Hart tells us more. Based on 2022 figures comparing organic and conventional beef farms, we find that organic farming is more profitable, that organic farmers are less intensely stocked, have […]
30 October 2023

Weather, workload and money: the issues stressing Irish farmers
Weather, workload and money: the issues stressing Irish farmers Emma Dillon, Mary Brennan and Brian Moran, tell us how the National Farm Survey shows how the social sustainability side of agriculture is changing. Sustainability is generally said to have three dimensions, namely economic, environmental and social. Much focus to date has been […]
27 October 2023

ACRES courses and October tasks for completion
ACRES courses and October tasks for completion October 2023 has been a busy month to date for agricultural schemes and compliance with deadline dates. Sinéad Devaney, B&T Drystock Advisor, Teagasc Galway/Clare, includes some reminders of these in this article. National Genotyping Programme – sign up to this via ICBF by 31st October […]
26 October 2023

The A to E of successful farm transfer
The A to E of successful farm transfer Traditionally in Ireland, land continuously passes from one generation to the next. This transfer of ownership does not always go smoothly. While there is no magic formula to guarantee the successful transfer of a farm from one generation to the next, major difficulties can […]
26 October 2023

Significant farmer demand to host apprentices
Significant farmer demand to host apprentices Up to 100 farms have registered to take on the first ever farming apprentices this year. Two new farming apprenticeships – the Farm Manager apprenticeship and the Farm Technician apprenticeship – will host 30 students on each programme over a two year duration. Apprentices will be […]
24 September 2023

Land rental prices, where to next?
Land rental prices, where to next? We have all heard of the sharp increase in the price of rented land over the past 18 months, but the question has to be asked, can these high prices continue? Kevin O’Hara, Drystock Advisor, tells us, in many situations it cannot. We will look at […]
16 September 2023

Farm transfer – it’s time
0 Farm transfer – it’s time The effort involved with farm succession planning will pay dividends by ensuring a smooth transition and the optimum outcome for your family, James McDonnell, Teagasc Farm Management Specialist, tells us more. You’ll certainly have heard the saying that the only certainties are death and taxes. Another unpalatable […]
3 September 2023

Scheme to help with succession planning costs unveiled
Scheme to help with succession planning costs unveiled The Succession Planning Advice Grant (SPAG), a scheme to help older farmers plan their future and the future of their farms, was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., yesterday, August 9th. The objectives of the Succession Planning […]
10 August 2023