Around 2,000 farmers gathered on Monday in Dublin city centre to protest over falling food prices.
They were appealing for the European Union to intervene and protect farm incomes.
Farmers from all sectors gathered outside the EU Commission's office on Dublin's Mount Street, accompanied by a cow, some pigs and a trailer of grain.
They say their businesses are facing possible collapse in the face of higher production costs, price volatility and the continuing Russian import ban.
Irish Farmers' Association President Eddie Downey has called for action at European level, and from EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, to safeguard the incomes of farming families.
Over 2000 #farmers protest falling food prices and farm incomes #dublin #ifa @rtenews pic.twitter.com/TQUkefbNxC
— Sharon Tobin (@sharontobin) August 31, 2015
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said he will be engaging with his counterparts in other Member States in the coming days to discuss proposals to provide further assistance to farmers.
A Department of Agriculture spokesman said Mr Coveney is "acutely aware of the fact that farmers in some sectors are facing significant challenges at present".
Mr Coveney put the hardship suffered by farmers down to "a difficult, but temporary global market downturn".
He described a meeting with Commissioner Hogan last week as "very constructive".
The protest comes ahead of a major gathering of European farmers in Brussels next week where agriculture ministers will be meeting.
