The average family farm income rose to over €53,800 in 2025, according to the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS).

Over half of the farms in the survey were considered economically viable, a significant improvement on 2024 figures. All farm systems saw an increase in incomes, but dairy remains as the highest earner of the main systems.

Dairy: incomes rise by 41%

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Dairy farms experienced an average income increase of 41% in 2025, to €153,000.

This increase was driven by stronger milk prices, increased milk output and higher revenues from the sale of calves and cull cows. The sale of calves and cull cows contributed to an increase in gross output on the average farm of 13%.

Sucklers: highest income on record

The average income rose by 74% on suckler farms to an unprecedented €24,100.

A notable increase in the price of young cattle supported a 22% increase in gross output on these farms.

Relatively stable production costs per farm (up 1% on average) also supported the improvement in farm incomes last year.

Cattle other: lift of 81%

Cattle other farms, which includes finishers, farms selling stores, dairy-to-beef and contract rearers, recorded the sharpest percentage income growth of any farm system in 2025, with the average income increasing by 81% to €32,800. Strong prices for finished and store cattle resulted in a 31% increase in gross output, offsetting a 12% rise in direct costs associated with additional feed and fertiliser.

However, production costs for the average cattle other farm also increased year-on-year, up 11% on average.

Tillage: incomes up following tough 2024

The average income on tillage farms rose by 33%, reaching €54,900, despite grain prices being lower in 2025. Lower grain prices were offset by a notable improvement in cereal yields, and only a slight increase in costs, leading to a 7% increase in gross output. This data includes farms with a secondary cattle enterprise, and data from specialist tillage farms will be published later this year.

Sheep: highest income on record

Sheep and lamb prices increased by about 6% in 2025 on the record levels in 2024.

Higher prices reflected the reduction in sheep supply across the EU.

There was a more modest increase in sheep farm incomes in 2025, up 7% compared to 2024.

This is the highest average sheep family farm income on record, at €29,344.

Despite a reduction in the volume of sheepmeat produced, a continued improvement in prices resulted in a small increase in output value, up 1%.