Teagasc's income for 2017 was similar to 2016, having increased subtantially for the previous two years in a row, the authority said on Thursday when it published its annual report. Excluding the net deferred funding for pensions, income last year was €187m.

There was a €1.6m increase in grant aid last year, a €1.4m increase in research income and a €0.9m increase in livestock trading income.

However, Knowledge Transfer income decreased by €1.8m.

"Teagasc's research, advisory and education activities continued to support the development of the agri-food sector last year," chair of the authority, Dr Noel Cawley said.

"2017 was generally a good year for farmers with average farm income, as measured by the Teagasc National Farm Survey, increasing on the previous year. This was mostly driven by improvements to dairy farm income, while income on tillage farms also increased. Unfortunately, this has been followed in 2018 with all farming sectors facing weather-related difficulties in the spring and again in the summer."