That's a wrap on our live blog of day one of the National Ploughing Championships 2026. Thanks for tuning in.

We'll be back on Wednesday morning for another packed schedule of events, so be sure to drop by at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184.

77,000 attended day one

77,000 people have attended the first day of the 2026 National Ploughing Championships.

The figure is down very slightly on the 78,500 people that attended on day one of the event last year.

Safe travels home to all those who turned out for the event.

It has been a busy day one at Ploughing 2026.

Agriland held our Ploughing livestream from our tent at the event, and we will be again livestreaming on days two and three.

Be sure to pop in to us at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184 tomorrow or tune in to the livestream on our platforms.

Members of the Agriland team have been out and about all day chatting to those who travelled from all corners of the country to attend the Ploughing.

Reaction to farmer survey

There has been a lot of reaction today to the stark results of a farming survey.

The new survey found one-in-three farmers indicating their intention to exit the farming sector within five years.

The survey was conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the ICMSA. 

When questioned by Agriland editor Stella Meehan about the survey and the viability of farming, Tánaiste Simon Harris replied: "It's been a bloody tough time to be a farmer in Ireland, right?"

He said that his government hears farmers’ concerns and that it will support the sector.

You can read more on this here.

Porsche popular amongst politicians

Politicians visiting Agriland today at the Ploughing were fond of the restored vintage Porsche tractor on display.

Ballymahon's Mercy Secondary School has joined up with Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland to raffle off the fully-restored tractor.

You can click through the images below.

Top tip from the Ploughing - 'get up early, don't be late'

Agriland got some solid advice today from a punter at the Ploughing.

The wise man advised to "get up early, don't be late" to ensure success when attending.

Progress in Ireland's sustainable agri-food system

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has launched a report at the Ploughing outlining progress in building a sustainable agri-food system in Ireland.

The report sets out key developments under Food Vision 2030 through which the agri-food sector collaborates to position Ireland as a global leader in sustainable food systems.

Minister Heydon said that supporting the ongoing viability and sustainability of the Irish food system is his “main priority”.  

You can read further detail here.

Budget 2027 a key topic

The upcoming budget has been a key topic across day one of the Ploughing 2026.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris said that the government "will continue to support" farmers and promised "further measures" of support in the upcoming budget.

“In the here and now, what can we do in fodder? What can we do in fertiliser? What can we do in fuel?" he said.

He added that he and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon "intend to move on all three".

You can read more on this here.

Day one livestream comes to an end

Agriland's official livestream for day one has come to an end, but our coverage of Ploughing 2026 continues.

Our team is out and about to learn more about what keeps people coming back to the Ploughing each year.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin on farming

You can hear more of what Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in discussion with Agriland's Stella Meehan below.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin on stage

Taoiseach has said the government "understand fully" that it has to "try and reduce pressures on farmers in particular, because food production is key to the country, key to Europe as well, because Ireland contributes to food security globally".

He said government has "done a lot in terms of succession - but we can always do better" and there is a need "to make farming meaningful" for young people to enter the sector.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has now joined Agriland's Stella Meehan on stage. More on this to come.

Weather update - sun cream and rain coats

Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly has joined Agriland editor Stella Meehan to give a weather update.

He said today, we have escaped the showers really well in Screggan.

He said Wednesday is expected to be more cloudy but largely dry with some drizzle.

Thursday will be very mixed with good sunny spells, however breezy and some showers could be heavy - but will move quickly.

Alan said both sun cream and rain coats could be needed for those attending the Ploughing.

"Come down every year, spend a few pound"

Agriland is out and about this afternoon to see what new machinery punters have their eyes on.

Groundbreakers live - women in agriculture

A number of farmers who were featured in Agriland's Groundbreakers series have now taken to the stage for a discussion.

Carina Roseingrave, Ireland's ambassador for the International Year of the Woman Farmer, is joined by Laura Hannon and Ciara Stanley.

Speaking on the farm safety panel, Teagasc's Paul Mullins said farmers will be under pressure in the coming months.

He has encouraged farmers to complete a fodder budget, and to seek help and talk to people for support if needed.

"It's not your fault - everyone's in the same boat. Farmers are going to be under a lot of pressure this autumn and they need to talk," he said.

The importance of farm safety is now being highlighted in the Agriland tent.

Ger Hartnett of the Health and Safety Authority, among others, has highlighted the key risks in agriculture, which include machinery and heights.

What makes a good dancer? According to Declan Flanagan of Dancing with Declan, it's really not as difficult a process as people may think.

Agriland's Aisling O'Brien is among those who got a lesson on jiving in the stand.

Tánaiste Simon Harris responds to recent survey conducted by Agriland, ICMSA and Agri-Opinions which found that 1-in-3 farmers intend to exit farming in the next five years.

Ann Gleeson Hanrahan, managing director of the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors and Pat O'Brien, chair of the ICMSA farm business committee, are currently discussing the cost of farming on the Agriland stage.

Agriland's Richard Halloren has been out and about chatting with ploughing punters throughout the day.

Agriland editor Stella Meehan chatted to the students behind a first-of-its-kind school project in Ireland - restoration of a vintage Porsche tractor.

Ballymahon's Mercy Secondary School has joined up with Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland to raffle off the fully-restored vintage tractor.

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and her husband Brian attending the Ploughing. President Connolly officially opened the event today.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has joined Agriland editor Stella Meehan on stage to discuss TB and work/life balance among various other farm issues.

The future of farming! Our reporters are enjoying getting out and about on site today hearing from both young and old.

ICMSA's Eamon Carroll has now joined Agriland editor Stella Meehan on stage to discuss a major new national survey that shows that farming is approaching a "cliff edge", with one-in-three farmers indicating their intention to exit the farming sector within five years.

The findings of the survey – conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the ICMSA - have highlighted the fast-approaching concern regarding farm succession.

Tune into our livestream now to learn more about the survey findings:

Bobby Miller of the Irish Grain Growers' Group, John Murphy of the Irish Farmers' Association and Michael Hennessy of Teagasc are now on stage discussing the challenges facing Irish tillage farmers.

Tánaiste Simon Harris is now speaking on the Agriland stage, addressing supports needed for farmers from Budget 2027 and the next CAP.

He said government is "going to continue to support" farmers and that his focus in the upcoming budget is "making work pay".

Discussions on stage have kicked off with NPA assistant managing director James Sutton joining Agriland editor Stella Meehan.

He said there is a "buzz" to the event made even better by favourable weather conditions.

James said there's something here for everyone at Ploughing 2026, with the highlight being the ploughing itself which gives those competing an opportunity to plough on a national stage and win a title. He said there is "no better feeling".

And we are live! Lots to come over the course of this afternoon. Agriland editor Stella Meehan is now doing an introduction.

Tune in to our livestream until 3:00p.m.

Agriland is once again the proud livestream media partner of the National Ploughing Association.

Today's livestream will begin soon at noon and will focus on 'The state of Irish farming - what's next?'

We'll start off by chatting to ploughing veterans, take a look at the action in the competition and then move to the serious issue of the pressures in tillage at this time.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived on site - the Ploughing is always a key date in the political calendar.

Be sure to stop in to the Agriland tent today located at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184 and also have a chat with our roaming reporters across the Ploughing site.

Those travelling to the Ploughing are being reminded this morning to avoid using satnavs and to follow official signage. There is a very high volume of traffic coming from all areas of the country.

It's all kicking off as the crowds start to roll in. 78,500 people attended day one of the Ploughing last year - how will today compare?

Blue skies so far this morning at Screggan...

Agriland has a packed schedule of events taking place at our tent this year, so be sure to drop by us at Block 4, Row 10, Stand 184 over the next three days.

Good morning all, and welcome to our live blog. If you're heading to Screggan today, take a look at the site map to see where you need to head first - will it be the tractors, or for a bit of food, or maybe even some ploughing?