What are the stories that got farmers talking in 2025?
Below is a list of stories from throughout the year that generated the most engagement across our social media channels.
From tractors to succession and country stars to Euro-Stars, the Irish Farmers Journal had it all covered in 2025.
Legal age to drive a tractor
Potential introduction of a tractor-driving test in January \ Donal O'Leary
There was a mixed reaction among farmers to the potential introduction of a tractor driving test.
Many on social media strongly opposed the idea, arguing it would worsen labour shortages and add unnecessary costs for contractors.
ICBF debacle
Five cattle breed societies opted to withdraw the ICBF Euro-Star indices from their sale catalogues in February. \ Odhran Ducie
Five cattle breed societies opted to withdraw the Irish Cattle Breeding federation (ICBF) Euro-Star indices from their sale catalogues after criticism erupted online.
Many farmers on social media felt the February indices bore little or no relation to the actual profitability of the progeny, prompting widespread debate among breeders.
Planning series (Irish Country Living)
How to build a home in rural Ireland? \iStock
'How to build a home in rural Ireland' was the focus of an eight-week Irish Country Living series in print and online.
The series generated strong engagement, with many on social media angry at the current planning system.
Beef prices: how high will they go?
Beef prices: how high will they go? \ Donal O' Leary
There was no shortage of superlatives used to describe the beef trade in 2025. Sky-high prices dominated discussion under social media posts, with farmers closely tracking movements in the trade and questioning just how far prices could rise.
Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan's father Dewayne on Ryan's dairy and pig farm in Ballylooby, Co Tipperary.
More than 160,000 people attended Zach Bryan’s Dublin concerts this summer, but it was an Irish Farmers Journal report on plans for his father and stepmother to visit a dairy and pig farm in south Tipperary that sparked widespread sharing of the photos and story across social media.
Barne Estate case
Barne Estate.
John Magnier’s high-profile high court bid to enforce an alleged deal for the 751ac Barne Estate for €15m captured national attention.
Farmers across the country closely followed the case through the Irish Farmers Journal social media channels as the legal proceedings unfolded.
Live exporters’ boycott
Hands of concentration at Castleisland Mart. \ Valerie O'Sullivan
Hundreds of comments were received following the exporter boycott that took place in October.
Many farmers reacted angrily on social media to reports of exporters boycotting cattle sales, describing the move as unfair and heavy-handed at a time when cattle prices were positive.
Ifac cost of production warning
Ifac predicted milk prices to fall below the cost of production in 2026.
Ifac predicted milk prices to fall below the cost of production, which they set at 42c/l, but the figure was divisive on social media, with many farmers comparing it to other lower-cost estimates in the industry and sparking debate about milk prices heading into 2026.
Rockwell farm sale
Rockwell Farm land yards and sheds.
Social media speculation surged after the 813ac Rockwell farm was placed on the market this year.
Many farmers debated who might invest in the well-known Co Tipperary dairy farm, making it one of the most talked about land sales of 2025.
Brazilian bombshell
IFA senior policy executive Tomás Bourke and Irish Farmers Journal deputy editor Adam Woods with some of the animal medicines they were freely able to buy during their investigation in Brazil last month.
Following an investigative trip to Brazil, the Irish Farmers Journal’s Adam Woods and Philip Doyle, alongside the IFA’s Tomás Bourke, outlined the stark reality of antibiotic use in Brazilian beef production.
The story sparked an immense reaction on social media, with many farmers calling for EU and Government action on the Mercosur trade deal.
What are the stories that got farmers talking in 2025?
Below is a list of stories from throughout the year that generated the most engagement across our social media channels.
From tractors to succession and country stars to Euro-Stars, the Irish Farmers Journal had it all covered in 2025.
Legal age to drive a tractor
Potential introduction of a tractor-driving test in January \ Donal O'Leary
There was a mixed reaction among farmers to the potential introduction of a tractor driving test.
Many on social media strongly opposed the idea, arguing it would worsen labour shortages and add unnecessary costs for contractors.
ICBF debacle
Five cattle breed societies opted to withdraw the ICBF Euro-Star indices from their sale catalogues in February. \ Odhran Ducie
Five cattle breed societies opted to withdraw the Irish Cattle Breeding federation (ICBF) Euro-Star indices from their sale catalogues after criticism erupted online.
Many farmers on social media felt the February indices bore little or no relation to the actual profitability of the progeny, prompting widespread debate among breeders.
Planning series (Irish Country Living)
How to build a home in rural Ireland? \iStock
'How to build a home in rural Ireland' was the focus of an eight-week Irish Country Living series in print and online.
The series generated strong engagement, with many on social media angry at the current planning system.
Beef prices: how high will they go?
Beef prices: how high will they go? \ Donal O' Leary
There was no shortage of superlatives used to describe the beef trade in 2025. Sky-high prices dominated discussion under social media posts, with farmers closely tracking movements in the trade and questioning just how far prices could rise.
Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan's father Dewayne on Ryan's dairy and pig farm in Ballylooby, Co Tipperary.
More than 160,000 people attended Zach Bryan’s Dublin concerts this summer, but it was an Irish Farmers Journal report on plans for his father and stepmother to visit a dairy and pig farm in south Tipperary that sparked widespread sharing of the photos and story across social media.
Barne Estate case
Barne Estate.
John Magnier’s high-profile high court bid to enforce an alleged deal for the 751ac Barne Estate for €15m captured national attention.
Farmers across the country closely followed the case through the Irish Farmers Journal social media channels as the legal proceedings unfolded.
Live exporters’ boycott
Hands of concentration at Castleisland Mart. \ Valerie O'Sullivan
Hundreds of comments were received following the exporter boycott that took place in October.
Many farmers reacted angrily on social media to reports of exporters boycotting cattle sales, describing the move as unfair and heavy-handed at a time when cattle prices were positive.
Ifac cost of production warning
Ifac predicted milk prices to fall below the cost of production in 2026.
Ifac predicted milk prices to fall below the cost of production, which they set at 42c/l, but the figure was divisive on social media, with many farmers comparing it to other lower-cost estimates in the industry and sparking debate about milk prices heading into 2026.
Rockwell farm sale
Rockwell Farm land yards and sheds.
Social media speculation surged after the 813ac Rockwell farm was placed on the market this year.
Many farmers debated who might invest in the well-known Co Tipperary dairy farm, making it one of the most talked about land sales of 2025.
Brazilian bombshell
IFA senior policy executive Tomás Bourke and Irish Farmers Journal deputy editor Adam Woods with some of the animal medicines they were freely able to buy during their investigation in Brazil last month.
Following an investigative trip to Brazil, the Irish Farmers Journal’s Adam Woods and Philip Doyle, alongside the IFA’s Tomás Bourke, outlined the stark reality of antibiotic use in Brazilian beef production.
The story sparked an immense reaction on social media, with many farmers calling for EU and Government action on the Mercosur trade deal.
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