Drawing a line

When a family member gets very ill, it focuses the mind, and makes you re-evaluate what is really important. You put love before egos and ‘pressing’ matters that aren’t so important after all. The kindness of neighbours and friends, I think is unique to rural Ireland, and is so appreciated. That is what is important. The stews and sandwiches dropped in, the friendly call and nod in the local shop, the genuine question of whether there is anything they can do – day or night – all point to the heartwarming fact that community spirit in rural Ireland is alive and well. Living in rural Ireland is so different to city living. It is truly special and I will never think otherwise. There is still a ‘door-is-always-on-the-latch’ mentality. Neighbour knows neighbour. You unite on local issues. You follow the local GAA. You do the tractor run or you support it. In 10 years, our local tractor run has raised more than €365,000. This year, in July, we donated €54,000 to the oncology unit in St James’s Hospital. Little did my family know that our relative’s life would be saved in that unit a few short months later. And I also availed of that same hospital services just a few weeks ago. People in rural Ireland look after its rural people with a strong sense of love and kindness that is unrivalled.
Before I sign off for the year, we have to get down to a little bit of business! The machinery industry held well against a backdrop of uncertainty in both domestic and world markets in commodity prices. While in Europe, there was a drop of 28 per cent year on year in sales, Ireland remained steady though and tractor sales will be in line with 2024 – not a bad result.
Tillage 2025 was under pressure coming from an ideal planting season to a season of damning input costs and volatile prices for the finished crop. Yields varied and were up in some cases down in others. Winter barley was disappointing in some parts with yields of 3.3t/acre, while oilseed rape ran at around 2.3t/acre and winter wheat came in at 4.3t/acre. Spring barley sat at 3t/acre, and more, depending where you are. Straw ran at €250 per hectare for those who were in the incorporation scheme and 4x4 bales of straw averaged at €20, or more, per bale. All in all, this had led to a crisis in the tillage sector and will need serious addressing by the government going forward if we are to have native grain in our native drinks and food.
Elsewhere, beef prices are up, sheep are up, and the dairy industry is steady for now with price stabilisation anticipated in the new year.
Agritechnica was a huge success, LAMMA will hit us in the first week of January, and the spring farm machinery shows will kick off in the new year also. The flagship FTMTA show is in November next year and I keep telling you to book your stands now as it is selling out fast.
Prior to that the Ploughing returns to Screggan in Tullamore, Co. Offaly! We have so much to look forward to in 2026!
Thank you all for reading my column, and to my advertisers, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing kindness and support for our publication. Without you, we wouldn’t be here.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas and new year. Until then, farm wisely and farm safely.