September 2026 sees the Irish Farmers Journal team return to the National Ploughing Championships, with another jam-packed, three-day programme planned for visitors to our stand.
From live podcasts and discussions on the issues affecting rural Ireland to cookery demonstrations, entertainment and the return of The Great Big Agri Quiz, there will be something happening for you throughout each day. This year, our stand is located at Block 3, Row 9, Stand 166, right across from the NPA headquarters.
Tuesday
We will kick off our programme on Tuesday morning with a live recording of the Down to Agribusiness podcast, as Lorcan Roche Kelly and I take to the stage, before our editor Adam Woods hosts a live recording of Farm Tech Talk with the livestock team.
Martin Merrick will then launch Martwatch, with a live feed to a mart, before Siobhán Walsh takes over for the Tillage Podcast.
The importance of the rural pub to community life will be up for discussion from 12.15pm, in a session brought to you by the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland in partnership with Diageo, before chef and food writer Janine Kennedy takes to the stage for a live cookery demonstration.
Rural crime will also come under the spotlight, with Jacqueline Hogge leading the session, looking at drugs and problems on farms and the effect it is having on farm families. Siobhán Maher, National DRIVE Coordinator (Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement) will be speaking on the supports available and the chair of the Mid West Region Drugs and Alcohol Forum, Jim Finn will also be taking part.
Dairy editor Brendan Horan will then host the first Inside Dairy podcast of the week.
The Great Big Agri Quiz returns from 3.15pm, before entertainment from Des Willoughby brings Tuesday’s programme towards a close.
The first daily winners of the Irish Farmers Journal and ESB Networks Farm Safety Competition will then be announced.
Wednesday
Wednesday sees the return of some of our popular daily segments, alongside a packed programme covering everything from female farmers and sustainability to politics, rural employment and agricultural education.
Ciara Leahy will get proceedings under way with our Female Farmer Panel, before Adam Woods and the livestock team return for another live recording of Farm Tech Talk. Martin Merrick will once again bring Martwatch to the stage with a live feed to a mart.
The importance of the rural pub to community life returns at 11.45am, before attention turns to land use, sustainability and forestry in a panel supported by the RDS Forest and Woodland Awards.
Irish Country Living’s Janine Kennedy will be back from 1pm with another live cookery demonstration, before Pat O’Toole hosts The Politics Panel.
Rural jobs and the next generation will then come into focus, with William Minchin and Ciara Leahy leading a session on employment opportunities and agri-education, supported by Agri Aware.
Later in the afternoon, Aileen Spearin will discuss the key trends shaping the Irish land market for 2026 and the top five land stories from farmersjournal.ie, while Lorcan Roche Kelly and Phelim O’Neill will take to the stage for Down to Agribusiness.
Brendan Horan returns with Inside Dairy, before Ciara Leahy and Sarah McIntosh put visitors’ agricultural knowledge to the test with another edition of The Great Big Agri Quiz.
The day will finish with the announcement of Wednesday’s Irish Farmers Journal and ESB Networks Farm Safety Competition winners.
Thursday
For the final day of Ploughing 2026, there will be another chance to catch some of the week’s most popular sessions, alongside discussions on young farmers, tillage, dairy and the role of renewables in agriculture.
Adam Woods and the livestock team will begin the main programme with Farm Tech Talk, followed by another Martwatch live feed with Martin Merrick.
Lorcan Roche Kelly will host Down to Agribusiness, before Hannah Furlong takes to the stage for the Young Stock Podcast.
Janine Kennedy will then return for the final cookery demonstration of the week.
The afternoon will see Brendan Horan return with Inside Dairy, followed by Siobhán Walsh and the Tillage Podcast.
Renewables and farming will then take centre stage, with a dedicated discussion hosted by me from 2.30pm.
There will also be a taste of the new Irish Country Living podcast, as Ciara Leahy hosts This Is Country Living with Anna Marie McHugh, before Aidan Brennan takes charge of the final Great Big Agri Quiz of Ploughing 2026.
Sarah McIntosh will announce the final daily winners of the Irish Farmers Journal and ESB Networks Farm Safety Competition, before Barry Murphy and I bring the curtain down on what is set to be a busy three days with our wrap of Ploughing 2026.
This year will see a special focus on the Irish Farmers Journal’s suite of podcasts, with live podcasts being recorded each day at the Ploughing. Down to Agribusiness will be recorded on Tuesday at 10am, while the Tillage Podcast will record on Tuesday at 11.45am; with a second recording taking place on Thursday from 1.30pm to 2pm.
Farm Tech Talk will be recorded on Thursday from 10.30am to 11.15am, while Young Stock will record on Thursday from 12pm to 12.30pm. Inside Dairy will be recorded on Tuesday from 3pm to 3.45pm, while This is Country Living will record on Thursday at 2.30pm. There will also be a special Plough On – Inside the Farmers Journal podcast published live each evening between 6pm and 7pm.
Speak to the experts
The Ploughing Championships will see all of the Irish Farmers Journal team line out over the course of the three days and, as always, represents a great opportunity to talk directly to them. Be sure to get involved in the hourly panel discussions, give your opinions and ask questions, and chat directly with the experts on our stand throughout the day.
Livestock competition
For the first time ever the Irish Farmers Journal will be giving away a free heifer on the Irish Farmers Journal stand at the National Ploughing Championships. Visitors to the stand can enter for free with a simple form to be filled out for entry. The January 2025-born Limousin heifer is by the famous Elderberry Galahead and out of a Belgian Blue cow and is sure to attract big attention on the Irish Farmers Journal stand over the three days.
Irish Farmers Journal and ESB Networks Farm Safety Competition
The Irish Farmers Journal has teamed up with ESB Networks to bring you the “Spot the Hazards” competition at Ploughing 2026. Simply call by the Irish Farmers Journal stand, chat to the team from ESB Networks and complete the entry form to be in with a chance to win a €50 One4All gift voucher every day.
The competition aims to increase awareness of farm safety on farms in relation to electricity wires and poles and visitors will also have a chance to download the ESB Networks Farm Safety booklet.
Irish Farmers Journal farm shop
As always, there will be great value on offer at the Irish Farmers Journal stand, with exclusive Ploughing subscription deals and savings across our merchandise range. Pick up a six-month home delivery subscription for €110 and receive a free pair of Dunlop Purofort wellies worth €85, or get Digital Premium for just €5.99/month, down from the usual €15.99. Farmers can also save up to 50% on the cost of their subscription, as the Irish Farmers Journal is a tax-deductible business expense related to running a farm. You can also browse our latest merchandise, including Jack Pyke zips and gilets, Masita hoodies, new jerseys and all your usual favourites. Be sure to call by the stand and pick up a great deal while you’re there.
Drop by our stand
Whether you want to test your farming knowledge, catch a live podcast, enjoy a cookery demonstration or simply take a break, we look forward to welcoming you to Block 3, Row 9, Stand 166 at Ploughing 2026.
If you can’t make it, keep up with all the latest news and views on farmersjournal.ie.
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