President Michael D Higgins has officially opened this year's National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois, one of the biggest shows of its kind in Europe.
Despite heavy rain today, the three-day event at Ratheniska is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
A total of 66,250 passed through the gates for the first day of the event today. Last year, officials said 91,500 people attended the first day.
In his opening address, President Higgins encouraged farmers to explore the many ways they could help achieve "the balanced social and economic goals" he said we should all be striving for.
He said life in rural Ireland was not just a "zone of production" and called for greater regionalisation.
The president suggested that empty buildings around the country left by departing financial institutions should be used for social purposes.
He also said the State and all its agencies had to be "co-operating partners" in responding to the devastating loss of biodiversity.
Organisers are urging those travelling to the event to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure admission to the site.
Visitors are also advised to pack rain gear and prepare for all weather conditions.
More than 300 competitors are taking part in the event, which continues until Thursday.
Elsewhere across the 700-acre site, there are extensive exhibitions, demonstrations and discussions relating to the latest in agri-technology and innovation.
There are also daily fashion shows as well as live music, baking competitions and other events related to rural life.
Despite heavy rain, traffic moved well on approach routes to the event this morning. But muddy car parks this evening resulted in some difficulty for motorists leaving the site.
"I'm a hardy lad, the rain wouldn’t bother me."
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 19, 2023
It is a wet start to the National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois, but the rain is not dampening the spirits of the people who have been there since the gates opened this morning. pic.twitter.com/3vSG5DpT8Q
No prospect of reopening nitrates talks - McConalogue
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said the European Commission has been "crystal clear" that there is no prospect of the nitrate derogation being reopened.
"Our key objective is to ensure we keep the current derogation when there is a review at the end of 2025.
"We have a big challenge on our hands now in terms of keeping this derogation and the challenge is based on making sure that we improve water quality over the next couple of years."
He told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that European Union Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius has indicated he will accept an invitation to Ireland.
President of the Irish Farmers Association Tim Cullinan said he did not accept that there it would be impossible to make changes.
He said that Mr Sinkevičius was "shocked and alarmed" when he explained the consequences it would have on Irish farmers during a meeting yesterday.
Changes can always be made, Mr Cullinan said.
President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) Pat McCormack said he stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Mr Cullinan on the view that the changes could "absolutely decimate family farms".
Mr McCormack said that the minister needed to "stand up and fight on behalf of the family farmer".
HSA warning over quad safety
The Health and Safety Authority has said that quad bikes are the most dangerous piece of equipment on farms.
This is why we have brought in regulations requiring farmers to get training and wear a helmet, HSA Senior Inspector for Agriculture Pat Griffin said.
Farmers are taking the message onboard and there has been an uptake in training, he added.
"When we go out on inspections, we will be asking farmers for proof of training and we'll ask them where their helmet is. And you know, we want to stop these deaths, these life changing injuries."
Mr Griffin told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that 75% of child deaths on farms involve vehicles.
We need to keep children away from tractors and quad bikes, he said.
