Farm incomes increased last year but the average age of farmers continues to rise, according to latest research from Teagasc.
Regarding incomes, the research found that despite "very challenging weather conditions" for the first half of 2024, higher farm gate prices later in the year for milk, beef, and sheep meat helped to boost farmers' earnings in the main farming sectors - helping them to beat 2023 levels.
The state agency’s 'Advancing Innovation, Sustainability and Technical Performance of the Agri-Food Sector in 2024’ report also said farmers benefitted from good grass production and grazing conditions in the autumn and early-winter period.
The findings indicated a decline in the proportion of young farmers in recent decades, with data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey revealing that a third of Irish farmers are aged over 65, with an average age of 58.
The research states there was a 4.6% year-on-year greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the sector, which was attributed to "significant advances ... in relation to adoption of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions".
According to Teagasc, nitrogen (N) fertiliser use was close to the target set for 2030, while protected urea made up 26.4% of straight N use, with a target for 2030 of 95%.
In relation to water quality, the research points to the Enviornmental Protection Agency report for 2016 to 2021, which shows that over half (54%) of Irish surface waters are "in good or better ecological status".
It added that "recent EPA data indicates that nitrogen concentration in 20 selected rivers has declined in the first six months of 2024 relative to 2023, which is welcome".
Commenting on the research, Teagasc Director Professor Frank O’Mara said: "Good technical performance underpins farm profitability and environmental sustainability and Teagasc research, education and advisory programmes are focused on improving the performance indicators included in this report."
