After an excellent show in Virginia yesterday, with fantastic stock on show, I think about how the fresh milk farmers supplying milk all year round to Tirlán and Diageo amongst others are struggling in a year with poor milk price and incredibly high input costs.

Great selection of quality breeding ewe lambs and hoggets in Carnew Mart today for the Aughrim Sheep Breeders Show and Sale. However there is concern about the hogget trade given where lamb price is and the lack of support in the form of a decent payment on the ewe.

My Irish Farmers' Association Presidential campaign website is now live. franciegorman.com

Government double talk over the nitrates rules has descended further into a blame game between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. As a result, neither party is prepared to defend farmers' interests. #Ploughing2023

A once in a generation disaster year for tillage farmers must be responded to with a comprehensive aid package to avoid farmers exiting the business. More - franciegorman.com/news/once-in-a…

The Department & farming organisations must step up efforts to encourage female participation and recognition on farms. Enhanced childcare supports in rural Ireland, targeted use of gender quotas, & more flexibility around times of meetings are required. franciegorman.com/news/greater-s…

As Irish Farmers' Association President, I will rebuild and restore the strength and reputation of IFA as an organisation that influences policy making, respects and responds to the concerns of all members and, most importantly, delivers positive results and secures income for Irish farmers.

One of the key issues raised with me on my canvas of Kerry today and yesterday has been succession and the next generation of farmers. New measures are required to cater for young farmers.

IFA needs to change. The Farm Centre needs to change. Every Irish Farmers' Association member has an equal right to representation and should accept nothing less than strong leadership on the issues that affect their livelihoods. I will lead IFA on the basis of Unity, Strength and Delivery.

I highlighted the need for a comprehensive aid package for the tillage sector on numerous occasions. The new €1,000/ha scheme for farmers with unharvested crops is welcomed. As always, the devil will be in the detail. independent.ie/farming/scheme…

For this Irish Farmers' Association Presidential Election, members can avail of the postal voting system. It's important all farmers have their say on the future direction the organisation takes. Thank you to the Grant family for supporting my bid to lead IFA.

Down to earth, approachable & willing to listen Reckon Francie Gorman is the right man for next IFA president

#IFAelections23 rte.ie/news/ireland/2…

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Charger those camera batteries! A chance of Northern Lights tonight and could be a very strong display. Once it’s fully dark start looking out for them.

To all dog owners, please please keep your dogs under control, particularly in the countryside, I had a flock of sheep attacked and injured earlier this morning. A very distressing moment for the flock of sheep. It really is totally barbaric that a dog could do this to livestock.

Rts appreciated donedeal.ie/dairycattle-fo…

After 45 years as local representative, Willie Aird is on his way to Dáil at the first time of asking. #VMNews | #GE2024

Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come. ‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair. Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.