Agri-Business
The FCI is seeking an "urgent" meeting with Minister Martin Heydon after green diesel prices hit a peak for the year last month.
Some one in four contactors have spread at least 100t less fertiliser so far this year, compared to the same period of 2025.
Contractors
The body representing farm contractors has written to the government requesting a temporary extension of the slurry spreading period beyond October 1.
The government is being urged to establish an independent fuel price regulator in response to rising marked gas oil (green diesel) prices.
The FCI has said it has written to the government this week to call for targeted financial support to deal with green diesel prices.
The body representing farm contractors has said that some of its members have had to reduce their workforces.
The body representing contractors has called for the full budget for the Fuel Income Support Scheme to be kept within the agri-sector.
Machinery News
The growth in agricultural contractor services has helped reduce direct machinery ownership costs on many Irish farms, according to the FCI.
The average price of green diesel for July saw the largest monthly increase since March according to new FCI figures.
Rural Life
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) made a donation at the annual Embrace FARM ecumenical remembrance service.
Farm Safety
Only one in five farm contractors will use sunscreen during the current heatwave, according to a survey from FCI.
FCI
The increasing prices of fuel, parts, repairs and salaries this year have all left contractors "struggling to cope", according to the FCI.
Fertiliser
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has said co-ops have "struggled to maintain a supply of fertiliser" for members recently.
The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has warned of an "enormous financial challenge" associated with ensuring that enough fertiliser is secured for 2027.
The soaring cost of fertiliser will be the focus for the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food at its meeting today (Wednesday, April 29).
Fuel support scheme
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has welcomed the fuel support scheme for contractors and farmers.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has convened the inaugural meeting of the Farm Contractors Working Group (FCWG).
The FCI said it is still awaiting “the final details" of the Temporary Energy Support Scheme proposals for agri and forestry contractors.
The increase in fuel prices has resulted in a substantial rise in costs for contractors, which are likely to be passed on to farmers.
A date has been set for the first meeting of the new Farm Contracting Working Group, with April 20 selected as the date.
Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister Martin Heydon, and representatives of the farm contractor sector have agreed to meet again on fuel costs.
The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) will meet government this week to outline the impact of fuel costs.
Video
The current situation with green diesel has left farmers wondering what to prioritise in 2026 - the...
