We in the Irish Farmers Journal are very conscious of the important role agriculture plays in providing jobs in rural Ireland and we want everybody else to be aware of it too, which is why we compile this Agri-Jobs supplement every year.

This supplement sees us get on the phone to our long and well-worn list of agri-employers across the country to find out exactly how many people they took on this year and to get some details about what recruitment plans they have for next year. If you are not on our list and you are creating jobs (even one job), get in touch and we’ll add you to it as we are always extremely keen to hear about employment, particularly in rural Ireland.

People don’t like doing surveys, but it is the best way for us to find out what’s really happening on the ground. We want to find out what jobs are being created so we can shout about them from the rooftop – on your behalf.

To the companies that carved out some time in their day to pull this information together – thank you. To the companies that didn’t get a chance – we are always happy to hear from you and not just for this annual supplement, but at any time of the year. We need the data to tell your story, because this is a story that needs to be told.

Agri-jobs doesn’t just look back at this year’s agri-employment but it is also full of advice, hints and tips for landing your dream job. You will also find many signposts to where, and what, jobs will be created in 2017, and maybe your dream job is among them. You will also find advertisements for top industry appointments.

Listen to "A preview of the Agri-Jobs supplement for 2016" on Spreaker.

Special focus: agri careers

The Irish Farmers Journal – your megaphone for rural jobs

Every nook and cranny of rural Ireland is being kept alive thanks to agri employment and that's something we should be shouting from the rooftops, writes Mary Phelan.