Agri-Business
Irish farming faces a generational crossroads, with young people enjoying "far more career choices than previous generations".
Rural Life
MEPs on the European Parliament's agriculture committee have formally called for a set of new measures to boost generational renewal.
Sixth year student Cian Hanrahan has used his Leaving Cert politics project to show falling rates of interest in farming among his peers.
A proposal for installation aid to remain as a mandatory measure under the next CAP has been welcomed by the Macra president.
Meaningful measures are needed to address income volatility in farming and to make it an attractive career option for young people.
Beef
Two pupils from Ballymena Academy have taken home the crown after they were announced the overall winners of AYC
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has highlighted the importance of bioeconomy development for young farmers.
There is increasing resistance to the limitations young farmer must commit to for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS).
Low incomes and a "negative" public image are among the reasons behind the lack of attractiveness of farming in Ireland.
Macra is calling on the government to double the fuel support payment to 40c/L for all farmers and agricultural contractors.
National Ploughing Championships
A key theme of the 2026 National Ploughing Championships is the assertion that young people represent the future for farming in Ireland
Schemes
The leader of the main EU-wide organisation for young farmers has called on agriculture ministers to provide "fair conditions".
New Entrants
Young farmers who have established their holdings after 2023 are ineligible to apply for support under several key five-year schemes.
Beef News
Almost 8,500 young farmers applied for the National Reserve (NR) and Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) schemes in 2025.
The James Hutton Institute is set to lead a new €6 million project aiming to bring more young people into careers in farming.
This week saw the publication a key report by the lead MEP in the European Parliament working on the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must include "ambitious measures" to support young farmers, the INHFA said.
Agri Politics
Macra has welcomed an agreement reached by the government on a proposed new policy direction for rural housing.
An MEP has said he will table amendments to the European Parliament's position on the CAP to secure higher funding for young farmers.
Ambition is "not enough" when it comes to future CAP funding for young farmers, the president of Macra warned today (Tuesday, June 23).
CEJA and the Ukrainian Agri Council (UAC) Young Farmers' Association have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Minister Heydon has said that Ireland's current "domestic decision making" on CAP supports for young farmers is "not there yet".
Sheep
Irish Country Meats (ICM) has announced the reopening of its competition for young sheep farming enthusiasts, 'Flocks of the Future'.
