Teagasc is forecasting a mixed year ahead in terms of farming incomes.
The authority's economists predict that dairy farmers will experience a drop in their incomes of up to 30% this year bringing it back to 2010 levels.
However, this comes after dairy incomes last year reached unprecedented high levels.
Beef prices are expected to rise by 15% in 2012 because of a shortage of supply across Europe and a weaker euro aiding competitiveness.
However, the poor weather in Ireland and abroad is pushing up grain and animal feed costs so that will impact on the general income of beef farmers.
Sheep farming incomes are expected to remain strong and will be on a par with last year.
While the price of pig meat is on the rise, profitability in this sector is expected to remain low in 2012 after high food costs are taken into consideration.
