Agriculture in Ireland has always been a buoyant, if unpredictable, industry. There are immediate images that come to mind in considering a career in this field (excuse the pun); but romantic notions of an outdoors, laidback life are certainly misplaced…

As the large retail chain continue to rear its cost effective head in any open space around the country; smaller businesses find themselves facing financial hardship; farms included. In the past, it was possible to keep a small farm operating on very little profit; it is completely different today with farms facing the same profit pressures as any other industry. Economies of scale have led to the increasing disappearance of the small farmer in Ireland and the emergence of larger, more competitive farms.

Farming used to be seen as a vocation in itself but the current economic environment has changed this attitude slightly. Opportunities in other sectors have led to farming becoming an almost part-time activity.

The industry is now as driven by science and technology as any area in Ireland. Indeed, graduates today are as likely to work in a lab, office or factory as on a farm; meaning that there is much more room for variety in the job sector.

All the industries covered in this section face tough challenges. Modern and innovative technologies ensure that there will always be change within agriculture; so notions of a peaceful life should be forgotten! On the other hand there is no danger of boredom in any of the careers outlined in this section and there are undoubtedly countless rewards in working with the land…