Behind the Story recorded a bonus episode from the National Ploughing Championship this morning.
Katie, David and Fran took to the road and headed for Screggan in Co Offaly.
The panel discussed key challenges facing farmers - including the nitrates derogation, the EU-Mercosur trade deal, succession and social media.
Deputy editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Caitríona Morrissey said the farming industry is facing generational uncertainty.
"Less than 4% of Irish farmers are aged under 35," she said.
"Probably what's even more alarming is that there’s 38% of farmers aged over 65.
"So [it has] a real top heavy age structure, which isn’t what any industry wants because in any industry – whether it’s farming, dentistry [or] electricians – you need the new apprentices coming in."
Read more: Long list of issues for farmers in spotlight
Ms Morrissey said she sees income as "the number one barrier".
"Farm incomes have improved this year but historically [there is] volatility in farming," she said.
"There's no teacher, nurse or engineer who has to guess what their income might be next year.
"So, it’s that mismatch between income and viability of the farm."
However, Ms Morrissey said there is a new accessibility around farming, thanks to social media platforms like TikTok.
"There is an awful buzz around farming; I suppose the hard graft of getting into it as career is where the problem is," she said.
"There's huge grá for farming… there are kids, teenagers, young adults flooding this site this week because of their love of farming.
"The challenge is to provide a pathway for it to become a career for them."
Katie also spoke to Irish farm creators on TikTok. Later she met up with OPW engineer, Barry Doherty who is using Lego to explain to children how flood defence systems work.
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