Farmers fear there will not be sufficient labour available to keep their farms working fully next year, according to new research published this morning.
66% are finding it hard to get workers and 75% said getting workers with farming skills is also difficult.
Farm Relief Services (FRS), which commissioned the research, said the situation is severe and more work permits are needed for agricultural workers to come from abroad.
Many Irish farms are 365-day operations and there is a constant need for hired help.
FRS already has 1,100 workers assisting farmers every day but the demand for help is rising and the supply of labour is short.
The research finds that two out of three farmers found it hard to get workers and 75% said finding workers with farming skills is also difficult.
A majority said they now have a poor work/life balance.
Farm Relief Services CEO Colin Donnery said it is proving really difficult to find labour as the economy approaches full employment and farmers are under pressure to remain productive.
He said they are currently trying to recruit 300 workers, but also want the Government to issue 500 work permits for international workers to come to Ireland in 2023.
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150 such permits were issued this year, and all were taken up by skilled workers from as far away as India, Africa, Nepal and Saudi Arabia.
