Farmers attending this year's Clogher Show in County Tyrone highlighted a range of pressures bearing down on the agriculture sector, from spiralling costs to unpredictable weather and a growing regulatory burden.

Several attendees pointed to the financial barriers now facing new entrants. Catherine McAdoo noted that many young people are turning away from farming, while Hannah Mitchell said the high capital needed to establish an operation is a major obstacle.

The cost of inputs was a recurring theme. Michael Egin cited fuel prices as a particular strain, and Sarah O’Kane said that everything from supplies to compliance is becoming more expensive. She also raised the impact of restrictions on when fertiliser can be applied.

Weather patterns added to the uncertainty. Howard McIlwain said conditions had been very dry in the run-up to the show, while acknowledging that unpredictable spells are now a constant challenge. He also flagged difficulties around livestock movements to Great Britain, noting that once animals cross they cannot be brought back.

Regulatory changes were pressed by Clive Morrison, who described legislation on issues such as slurry storage as a growing concern going forward. John Kirk said that profitability remains the central question, adding that farming operates on a different model to any other business and that the industry has changed markedly from past decades.