91,000 people have attended the second day of the 2026 National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

This figure, confirmed by the National Ploughing Association (NPA) this evening (Wednesday, September 16), adds to the 77,000 that attended the event yesterday (Tuesday, September 15).

This means that 168,000 people have attended the event over the first two days.

The figure for today is up by 6,000 on the 85,000 that attended on day two of last year’s Ploughing.

Highlights from Day 2

Today saw many highlights in the Agriland tent at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184, as our live stream of Ploughing 2026 continued.

Some of the highlights from day 2 of Agriland’s live stream included an interview with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who discussed the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the need to maintain a fully funded CAP after 2028.

We also spoke with Fianna Fáil senator Paul Daly, who told Agriland’s Aisling O’Brien that he is competing in the Ploughing himself this year and that ground conditions are ideal for it.

“Before I was ever a politician I was a ploughman,” he said.

On the political front, Senator Daly said that, in the run-up to Budget 2027, he is “lobbying very hard” for supports for farmers.

Elsewhere on our live stream, Teagasc’s Joe Patton, Tirlán’s Bryan Harte and ICSA’s Edmond Phelan joined Agriland’s Aisling O’Brien to discuss how farmers are being affected by the drought conditions this year.

Recent data from the national grassland database has pointed to a significant recovery in grass growth rates.

The rain which fell across the country following the prolonged period of dry weather in July and August has had an impact on grass growth, data from PastureBase Ireland shows.

When the rain eventually came, grass growth bounced back, as our live panel discussed.

Bryan Harte, however, urged farmers to complete a fodder budget.

Edmond Phelan advised farmers who think they have a deficit to source something sooner rather than later.

Agriland also spoke with Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae, who spoke about his shock resignation earlier this year from his role as Minister of State.

The important issue of generational renewal was also discussed on the Agriland stage.

Agriland editor Stella Meehan was joined by MEP Maria Walsh and father and daughter Heather and Brendan Joyce, who are sheep and suckler farming in Connemara.

Make sure to check back over all our Ploughing 2026 content from today, and to tune in tomorrow for our live stream coverage of the third and final day of the 2026 National Ploughing Championships.

Highlights from Day 2

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