Agri-Business
Norman Egar has been elected as the new national chair of the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI).
The FCI said that plans to introduce a tractor driving test is "not a suitable response to safety issues".
The FCI has called for a 'mini-job' or short-term worker taxation system to be included in Budget 2026 for contractors.
The value of the Irish agricultural contracting sector has now exceeded the €1 billion mark, for the first time ever, the FCI said.
Access for tractors to Ireland’s motorway network is essential to agriculture and road safety, according to the FCI.
The median gross hourly wage rate for agricultural machinery operators working in Ireland in 2025, is between €15-20/hour, the FCI said.
Forestry
The FCI is calling for an outright ban on the introduction of foreign owned forestry machines, while Irish machines are idle.
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has called for a change in the payment system for forestry contractors.
The FCI has published its contractor charge guide for 2025 with some charges up by a maximum of 5%, while others are "virtually unchanged".
Environment
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) is seeking an extension to the hedge cutting deadline due to Storm Éowyn.
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has warned contractors and farmers on the dangers associated with slurry.
The FCI has said that the recent cold snap has demonstrated the need to develop a national register for contractors.
Beef
The FCI is calling for an extension to the period during which organic fertiliser can be applied on farmland.
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has called for a scheme to support contractors in purchasing machinery.
71% of agricultural contractors believe that there will be shortage of fodder on many Irish farms this winter, according to a new survey.
Rural Life
The lack of hedgerow management is leading to "a significant number of road traffic accidents on rural roads", according to the FCI.
Agricultural contractors are losing up to 20% of their working time dealing with the damage caused by stones and wires in fields, FCI said.
There has to be "better communication" between farmers and contractors going forward about how silage is being cut, Richard White said.
The FCI has stated that safety must remain the "top priority", as pressure is now on contractors to get work completed
A contractor “call-out charge” for light baled silage crops this season may cease as grass yields improve, the FCI has said.
The FCI has urged the government to postpone an increase in carbon tax on agricultural diesel or marked gas oil (MGO) until later this year.
The FCI has said that agricultural contractors will be facing fuel bills in the region of €30,000/week once silage season gets underway.
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) voiced concern over the level of workload facing agricultural contractors.
