Across the Atlantic, Ireland faces similar farm challenges

Iowa Farm Bureau leaders explore Irish agriculture and find common ground in sustainability, profitability and adapting to changing consumer demands.

On an island with a rich agricultural heritage, Ireland's farmers are modernizing their operations to meet shifting consumer preferences, stricter environmental re­­gulations and thin profit margins.

While the size and scale of Ireland's farms are different than the United States, those themes felt familiar to more than 180 Iowa farmers who took part in the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Presidents Incentive Trip to Ireland June 13-19.

"The issues that influence both production and consumer attitudes here … environmental care, water quality … are the same as we face in Iowa," said Colin...