The conflict in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global agriculture.

It has also shone the spotlight firmly on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane that normally carries roughly a quarter to a third of the world’s nitrogen fertilizer exports.

What will this mean for Irish farmers who rely heavily on imported fertiliser?

In this episode of AgriFocus Francess McDonnell is joined by Sam Taylor an executive director with RaboResearch, a division of Rabobank.

Currently based in the US, Sam has been involved in agriculture throughout his life, having grown up in a large farming family in the UK with mixed crop, livestock, and broiler farms.

He said what Irish farmers need to know now is that nitrogen, ammonia, and sulphur markets all rely heavily on Middle Eastern supply. 

Once those flows are disrupted, the effects ripple right through the fertiliser supply chain—from producers to distributors, and back to them is significant.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

It is one of the busiest times of the year for dairy farmers with calving season in full flow.

Days are long, the weather has been less than helpful and the sheer tiredness of it all can see some people slip into survival mode.

Add to the mix a downward trending milk price and stubborn production costs and some dairy farmers may simply be too busy to think about what may lie ahead for the rest of 2026.

In this episode of AgriFocus Francess McDonnell is joined by Patrick Gowing Dairy Specialist at Teagasc who says it is vitally important for dairy farmers to consider where they might be by September.

According to Gowing what they need to do now is understand their true cost structure and tighten budgets to maximise grass as their most valuable feed.

He also shares practical, no-nonsense ways for dairy farmers to protect profit and build a more resilient business. 

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this week's episode of AgriFocus, Agriland editor Stella Meehan speaks to some Irish MEPs during the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Firstly she speaks to Fine Gael Ireland South MEP, Sean Kelly who is a member of the EPP political grouping in the EU. He discusses the importance of resourcing farmers sufficiently in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to ensure they can maintain and develop further environmental measures.

AgriFocus also speaks to Fianna Fáil, Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher, who is a member of the Renew political grouping in the EU about the EU-Mercosur trade deal, CAP funding and the impact of bluetongue virus on live exports.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is continuing to carry out epidemiological investigations and surveillance following confirmation of an outbreak of bluetongue in Co. Wexford.

According to DAFM the case was detected in a cow which had no clinical symptoms.

But what what might confirmation of the first case mean for Ireland?

In this episode of AgriFocus Stella Meehan is joined by the deputy chief veterinary officer at DAFM, Dr. Eoin Ryan to explain why bluetongue is in Ireland and how it spreads.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

Tens of thousands of Irish farmers showed their strong opposition to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement at a major protest in Athlone, Co. Westmeath but the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, is still preparing to travel to South America on Saturday (January 17) to sign the trade deal.

But once the deal is officially signed what will this really mean for Ireland?

In this episode of AgriFocus Francess McDonnell is joined by Thijs Geijer, a senior sector economist at the Dutch banking group ING who specialises in the food and agriculture sector. 

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

Live from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEP Ciaran Mullooly speaks to AgriFocus about the momentum that is building this week in opposition to the EU Mercosur trade deal in its current form.

Over the past week Agriland reported on the news that there was a suspected bluetongue case reported on a farm near Bangor, Co. Down in Northern Ireland.

Results from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) active surveillance for bluetongue indicated the presence of the disease in two cows.

As a result they have activated stringent disease control measures including a 20km temporary control zone and restrictions on the movement of livestock.

In this episode of AgriFocus, Agriland editor Stella Meehan speaks to Dr. Gerald Barry, assistant professor of virology & deputy director of the One Health Centre at UCD

He explains how bluetongue is detected, the ways in which it spreads and why vaccines are not the ultimate panacea.

He has stressed that rapid robust surveillance now needs to be completed both north and south of the border.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In general most dairy farmers have had a relatively good year but since July there has been a downward trend in milk prices which has only accelerated in recent months.

Teagasc has forecast that 2025, on average, will likely be “the second most profitable year on Irish dairy farms after 2022”.

However as co-ops and processors have repeatedly highlighted since the summer months milk supply growth is outpacing demand which in turn is hammering commodity prices.

In this episode of AgriFocus Francess McDonnell chats to Tom Booijink, a senior dairy specialist with Rabobank, focused on Europe and Africa on what the outlook may be for Irish dairy farmers in 2026.

Tom has warned that it is likely that next year “will start with low milk prices” and it could be challenging to begin with.

But he believes demand for dairy remains good and “for the longer term” he is optimistic.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this episode of AgriFocus we are taking a closer look at the issue of rural crime – from trespassing to illegal hunting and theft and the impact it has on farm families.

We speak to one dairy farmer who has had a number of terrifying encounters with trespassers.

Limerick dairy farmer, Louise Crowley, who is the chair of the Limerick Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), tells us what it is like when you come face to face with unwanted and often threatening individuals in your own yard or in your fields.

We also hear from Barry Carey, who is the co-secretary of the National Rural Safety Forum and crime prevention office with the IFA about why farmers “feel under seige” in some parts of the country.

Finally we ask An Garda Siochana’s first ever Rural Crime Lead,  Super Intendent, Michael Corbett who is based in Fermoy in Co. Cork, what is being done to help people living in rural communities and on farms feel safer.

Go beyond the headlines with our podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.

In this special episode of AgriFocus, we are joined by Alison McHugh, EY Ireland tax partner and head of private client services, to take a look at everything effecting agriculture and rural life that was announced today in Budget 2026.

Go beyond the headlines with our new podcast series – AgriFocus – where we take a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.