Attracting next generation 'a massive challenge'

Government supports are essential in order to maintain a productive agriculture industry, says Westmeath IFA chairperson, Richard O’Brien.

The Athlone-based farmer has welcomed the appointment of Martin Heydon to the role of Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, and is of the firm belief that the Fine Gael TD has the future of the agriculture industry in his best interests.

“Having listened to Minister Heydon prior to his appointment to the role, he is ambitious for the future of the agriculture industry. I just hope that he retains such ambition and delivers on his promises.”

Such thoughts, Mr O’Brien stated, were echoed by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, who addressed members of the IFA at their national AGM in December, when he said there is a positive outlook for the industry.

“You just hope that such words are not hollow and the promises made are delivered upon by government and the EU,” Mr O’Brien said.

Referencing problematic issues for farmers at a local level, he has major concerns relating to the spread of bovine TB.

“This remains an ongoing issues for the herd in Westmeath, there appears to be no ease in the bovine tuberculosis spread amongst livestock, the badger, a protected species, being the main culprit, I feel, in the spread of this disease.

“The badger roams from one location to the next when disturbed and causes the further spread of the disease, much to the ire of the local farming population. Livestock have been greatly impacted and, when this is so, the return for the farmer is not what it should be for all the effort put in.”

Mr O’Brien is of the view that government incentives are a necessity to encourage young people to stay in or start farming.

“There is a massive challenge to attract and maintain the next generation of farmers, and to do so, we must secure a future for the current generation,” O’Brien said.

Speaking at the national IFA AGM in December, IFA president Francie Gorman pointed out that the best to way to support the next generation of farmers is for them to see the current generation being viable and having a standard of living comparable with other sectors of society.

“Falling farm incomes, increasing agriculture costs and better work opportunities elsewhere in the economy make it extremely difficult to encourage youth to commit their futures to farming.

“The small acreage farmer is under pressure to maintain a healthy and steady income even though market prices for beef and lamb are strong at this time, but will such prices be sustained? Therein lies the concern for the small farmer.

“I am forever willing to fight for the agriculture sector and our generation of farmers in the hope that such a stance will encourage the next generation to remain on the land and embrace the farming ethos,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Athlone farmer is hopeful that market prices remain “steady” for the remainder of 2025.

“If market prices do not remain steady and continue to rise, providing just financial reward, then there is a possibility that the sector will lose farmers to the industry,” he said.

Mr O’Brien has also expressed his concern about the EU-Mercosur trade deal signed in December. It allows agriculture food products from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay into the EU market.

Such a scenario, Mr O’Brien believes, will have a detrimental impact on prices.

Farmers continue to make progress in meeting their emissions targets, but Mr O’Brien states that even if the agriculture industry was to move completely in the “opposite direction” with regards to the issue, “it is a mere drop in the ocean in comparison to the emissions produced worldwide”.

A recent announcement of funding from the government for the tillage sector is welcome.

“Funding has been secured to deliver on the government’s commitment for a €100 per hectare payment to support tillage and horticulture growers.

“While there will always be room for funding improvement for the agriculture sector, there is a general mood of positivity among members of the Westmeath IFA at present, the hope being that our newly formed government will looked favourably on the industry in the times to come,” Mr O’Brien concluded.