Difficult start

As we look back at the start of 2026, farmers and agricultural contractors were faced with many challenges. With the ground waterlogged and no sign of the rain abating, it was almost impossible to remember when we had a dry day.
Now, because of Mr Trump’s actions in Iran, we now also face massive fuel and fertiliser price increases. Agricultural contractors have no control over sudden fuel-price increases and, therefore, can have difficulty pricing work accurately. I always advise contractors to discuss with their farmer, before work begins, what will happen if there are unexpected fuel increases. Failure to do this can result in disputes that are hard to resolve. 

Shocking 2025 fatality figures

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has confirmed that there were 23 fatalities on Irish farms in 2025. This is a significant increase from the 12 fatalities reported in 2024. Shockingly, this represents 40 per cent of all workplace fatalities in the farming sector that employs just 4 per cent of the workforce. The main causes of fatalities were, falls especially while mending roofs, interactions with livestock, and machinery/vehicles.
It is recognised that farmers work under considerable stress. Financial stress is always prevalent, and the availability of labour – or lack of it – also weighs heavy, causing many farmers to work much longer hours than would be normal. Striving to get it all done means that farmers are often rushed and fatigued, which can lead to impaired judgement. But trying to save a few minutes can have long-term consequences of injury or even lead to death; leaving a family devastated.
There is a problem in Ireland with an ageing farm population. The average age of farmers is now 59 years, with 33 per cent of all farmers being 65 years or older. This demographic remains the most vulnerable of all as they continue to work well past retirement age. By mid-2025 over 65s accounted for 75 per cent of farm fatalities and for more than 50 per cent of farm fatalities and over the last 10 years. All farming families must be aware of the limitations of people in this age group. It is horrendous that someone who has given their life to farming is killed or involved in a life-changing accident when they should be reaping the rewards of a lifetime’s work. Trying to instill the safety message every day is difficult, especially for routine tasks, but it is usually while doing these that accidents occur. Always have safety to the front of your mind and, older farmers, ask yourself would you allow your children or grandchildren to take that risk that you’re about to take? Stop and think and don’t become a statistic.

Interesting times

Interesting times ahead in the Netherlands where they are implementing a pretty radical scheme, which will see €25 billion spent to reduce the national herd, including cattle, pigs, and poultry. Estimates suggest that a cut of up to one third of livestock numbers may be required to meet EU mandated nitrogen emission targets. Initially the government is offering a voluntary buyout scheme but is not ruling out a compulsory buyout. In the simplest of terms, the government wants to cut meat imports and exports and keep animals only to satisfy the demands of its own population. It’s worth bearing in mind that in December 2025 the Netherlands bid for a nitrate derogation was turned down while Irelands request was granted - but for how long? Could we be forced to introduce a similar scheme? I might say that could never happen here; but do I believe it?