Ploughing Day Two: IFA Calls On Farmers To Accept Shannon Pipeline Deal

Just under 80,000 were on site in Screggan yesterday.

Thousands of attendees are enjoying another mostly dry day at the National Ploughing Championships for Day Two of the Europe's biggest outdoor agri-event.

Day two of The Ploughing has seen the launch of a new Rural Safety Action plan along with classic staples including the All Ireland Welly Throwing Competition in aid of mental health charity SOSAD.

Martin Heydon says being at the National Ploughing Championships in Offaly as the Minister for Agriculture is "particularly special".

The Kildare South TD is also welcoming the move to Screggan Tullamore - branding it a "great location".

Minister Heydon says he's delighted to be at the Ploughing:

The Electoral Commission is holding a mock potato election at the event, to show people how to vote correctly, ahead of next month's presidential election. 

Brian Dawson from the Electoral Commission says the votes will be counted the official way:

Either take the deal, or take a worse deal.

That's the warning from IFA President, Ballinakill's Francie Gorman on the Shannon Pipeline compensation package being offered to his members.

Last week the Irish Farmers Association reached an agreement with Uisce Eireann over the project which will see a pipeline running from Parteen Basin in Tipperary through Offaly, Laois, and Kildare all the way to Dublin.

Farmers and landowners are expected to receive an average of €100,000 each.

The Laois man says every farmer affected needs to be aware of the details:

Despite an overnight downpour, weather conditions are set fair for the second day in Screggan.

It will be largely dry but cloudy this morning with just limited sunny spells.

Better sunny spells will develop during the afternoon.

Highest temperatures will reach between 17 to 19 degrees.

The President is warning about the rise in ‘meaningless divisions’ and says ‘racism’ is at the root of some politician's agendas.

Michael D Higgins, speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore, says he's outraged at people making bad faith representations about the protection of culture and society.

Asked if he had any advice for his successor, President Higgins urged caution against the far right, and ‘unethical morals’:

The All Ireland Welly Throwing Competition has returned to the National Ploughing Championships. 

Anyone attending the Screggan site in Offaly today can compete in the competition, and help raise money for the mental health charity SOSAD. 

It's the 12th consecutive year it's taking place. 

Heather O'Malley, from Portwest Ireland, says there'll be a big prize for the overall winner tomorrow:

Young people need funding and support to encourage them to enter the farming industry. 

Macra is calling for immediate government action to tackle the declining number of young farmers, and to address concerns around succession of family farms.

The organisation says a lack of access to land, difficulty in securing finance, uncertainty around succession and insufficient policy supports are preventing many people from entering the career. 

Macra National President, Josephine O'Neill, says financial support should be a key priority:

An inter county hurling manager is advising people to keep up with their health and fitness to help with their physical and mental health. 

Antrim manager Davy Fitzgerald was in attendance at the Zurich Insurance Stand at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan yesterday to oversee Ireland’s Fittest Farmer competition.

Fitzgerald says physical exercise shouldn't be something to be worried about:

A well known TikTok farmer from the midlands feels the buying and selling of cattle is becoming a risky game. 

Longford's Philip Stewart, also known as Farmer Phil on TikTok, believes there are concerns from farmers regarding Bluetongue and the Mercosur trade deal. 

Stewart says the price of cattle is an issue facing the farming community:

Property crime, animal and wildlife crime, community engagement and roads safety are key priorities of a new Rural Safety Action plan. 

Details of the plan have been revealed at the National Ploughing Championships today. 

It will run for the next two years, and will include steps like having more visible Gardaí in the community and providing safe public spaces and amenities.

Junior Justice Minister Niall Collins, says it requires the work of 24 stakeholder groups:

A Laois CEO of a community development organisation has welcomed the community element included in the Rural Safety Action plan.   

Rosie Palmer, CEO of Muintir na Tire is happy with the details of the plan which was announced today at the National Ploughing Championships. 

Muintir na Tire was one of the founding members of the Rural Safety forum. 

The Portlaoise woman feels checking in on others is essential. 

She says making sure others are ok is a major part of the plan:

Consumers have been told to get used to higher food prices, with butter alone up 50pc in the last five years.

The latest data shows Meat, milk, sugar, olive oil and butter prices in this country have shot up, with sugar and olive oil prices also up more than 50pc in the last decade.

Young people and farmers at the National Ploughing Championships have differing opinions on where the problem lies:

A total of 85,000 people attended Day 2 of the National Ploughing Championships.

On top of the 75,000 people that attended on Day 1, an overall tally of 160,000 people have attended the championships so far.

Large crowds are anticipated for the third and final day tomorrow.