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An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the Virginia show this Wednesday and news correspondent Odile Evans heard what he has in mind for farmers in the next budget.

Former rugby international Tony Buckley told news correspondent Hannah Quinn-Mulligan about his fears for the farming community as fodder concerns grow, and his own battle with depression.

Dairygold co-op chief executive Jim Woulfe spoke to Hannah Quinn-Mulligan at Cappamore Show about how the co-op is carrying €12m more debt than the same period last year, but credit will be available in the future.

Also at Cappamore, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed highlighted concerns about farmer well-being as the drought impacts grass growth and the government’s commitment to importing fodder and providing solutions.

Meanwhile, IFA president Joe Healy called for the immediate roll-out of low-cost loans, and told news correspondent Hannah Quinn-Mulligan that a fodder and financial crisis is facing many farmers across the country.

Teagasc director Gerry Boyle addresses comments claiming that high stocking numbers exacerbated fodder shortages.

Martin Stapleton, IFA farm business chair, spoke to news correspondent Barry Cassidy about the IFA's proposals for budget 2019 and the need for an immediate roll-out of low cost loans.

Co Wicklow sheep farmer Ashley Bourne wants to produce renewable electricity, but like many visitors to the Energy in Agriculture event in Gurteen College that he is frustrated by delays in accessing the national grid. He spoke to Thomas Hubert.

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