As the year draws to a close, the Irish Farmers Journal counts down the top 10 most read stories on farmersjournal.ie.

2024 was a year of seemingly insatiable demand for land and insatiable farmer interest of learning the latest developments in the land market, particularly with its biggest players.

Headlines on farm-related court proceedings, tractor licenses and tax defaulters also sparked the interest of readers.

10 - Over €3.7m paid for 139ac in Meath

June proved a hot month for the land market in Co Meath, with 139ac of grassland and yard facilities outside Ratoath fetching in excess of €3.7m.

Just days later, a separate farm slightly above 100ac was bid to €2.1m but withdrawn.

The auctioneers would go on to negotiate a deal on the property for above this figure and the hammer fell on another cracker in the Royal County.

Get the full details here.

9 - Magnier not interested

John Magnier was never far from the headlines in 2024, but, in July, it was the Dealer who brought him to the headlines when pouring cold water over speculation that the Coolmore boss had been in the bidding to buy a 128ac farm in Tipperary.

Magnier was “definitely not interested” in the farm and its four-bed farmhouse as it bid to €2.7m, the auctioneer reported.

Read more here.

8 - Court appeal over ‘unsaleable’ farm

The Court of Appeal dismissed a case brought when uncertainty was claimed on the title of ownership over the entrance to a farm used as security for well over €1m in farmer loans that were defaulted on.

The farmers’ appeal was dismissed, but how exactly did the case play out?

Find out here.

7 - 12 calves dead after cliff fall

Unfortunate news broke in August that a farmer suffered the loss of 12 calves grazing in a seaside field after they fell from a cliff in Co Cork.

A close-by neighbour reported to have heard dogs barking overnight and the Department of Agriculture pointed towards a “strong possibility” of dogs being involved in the incident.

Get more details here.

6 - Coolmore scoops dairy farm

Coolmore Stud was able to chalk another 128ac on to its total land holdings after it bought a 128ac dairy farm in Tipperary.

The farm came with a four-bed house and two apartments, with the lands boasting extensive road frontage.

A total sum in excess of €25,000/ac was paid for the property.

Read the story in full here.

5 - RSA U-turn on tractor licenses

It emerged in March that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) had reversed a decision on C class licenses being needed for work vehicles and tractors on building sites, with W licenses, which cover agricultural tractors and farm work vehicles, not extending to non-agricultural uses.

The U-turn had been called for by the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland.

Read how it all played out here.

4 - Regan snaps up land in heart of Coolmore country

Owner of US construction and hospitality businesses Maurice Regan managed to buy a 47ac farm in the centre of John Magnier’s extensive property portfolio.

It is understood a deal was done around the €25,000/ac mark for the farm in Collanure, south Tipperary, just a stone’s throw from Coolmore’s headquarters.

The move came after disagreement between Magnier and the owners of Barne Estate over an alleged deal the former claims had been struck for the estate, but which was later reneged upon when a bid was offered by Regan.

The owners of Barne Estate deny there had been an exclusivity deal and the matter remains before the High Court.

Get more on Regan’s acquisition in the heart of Coolmore country here.

3 - Coolmore adds to landbank

It was Coolmore boss John Magnier hitting the headlines yet again in March when his tillage and bloodstock operation was reported as being poised to add in excess of 500ac to its books.

A whopping €38,000/ac was paid for land zoned for agricultural use on the outskirts of Clonmel, Co Tipperary, around the same time the billionaire’s enterprise was speculated to be linked with the purchase of another 497ac holding.

Get the full scoop here.

2 - Department inspector convicted for animal welfare offenses

March saw news break that a Co Cavan farmer and experienced Department of Agriculture inspector had been fined over €50,000 in court, but had avoided jail for animal welfare-related offences.

The conviction came after dozens of dead and emaciated heads of livestock were found over the course of an investigation carried out by an Garda Síochána.

The judge noted the farmer and inspector had experienced “reactive depression” after a series of bereavements of persons close to him.

Find more details here.

1 - Five farmers named in list of tax defaulters

Topping the list of the most read story on farmersjournal.ie was news that five farmers appeared on Revenue’s list of tax defaulters for the first quarter of 2024.

These farmers were appeared for reasons including the under-declaration of tax, non-declaration of tax, delivering incorrect tax or VAT returns and the misuse of green diesel.

You can get the details here.