The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors (FCI) held the fourth annual National Agricultural Contractor Conference on Wednesday, 3rd of December, 2025 at the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise.

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Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae opened the event and announced the FCI New Modern Young Operator/Driver/New Entrant Skills Training Course, which urges operators to focus on ‘Skill not Speed’.

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Michael Healy-Rae said:

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“I am confident that this training course will deliver on its objective to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and competence to operate modern agricultural tractors and associated equipment safely, efficiently, and responsibly ”.

 

The theme of the conference was balancing minds, machines, and money.

Philip O’Connor, Head of Farm Support at IFAC, spoke to our members about future proofing their enterprise through company structuring and financial planning.

 

Cathal Daly, Sales Manager with FBD Life Insurance, gave a talk on the benefits of pension planning and the services available in the 34 FBD branches nationwide.

 

Farm Management Specialist with Teagasc, James McDonnell explained the importance of succession planning. And Padraig Noonan of the FCI Council spoke very personably about his own recent experience of going through a succession plan.

 

IFAC Payroll Specialist, Mary McDonagh, explained auto enrolment and changes to the working time directive. Our members took the opportunity to ask Mary any questions they had on both topics.

 

Fergal O’Sullivan of Munster Technological University gave a very engaging and passionate presentation about how the future Irish contracting fleet could utilize autonomous machines. Whilst Mark Keane showed us how his team at Hibra Design were able to retrofit a John Deere to be fully electric.

 

Noel Dunne of The Irish Farmers Monthly chaired a panel on the future of the Irish contracting fleet. Noel’s wide knowledge of farm machinery, as well as the needs of the people working in our sector, ensured a lively debate between the audience and the speakers.

 

David Kennedy of The Lifestyle Blueprint gave a passionate talk about his real-life experiences with weight-loss and healthy living in an agricultural setting. David’s simple messaging about clearing your mind at the end of the day, and his tips for avoiding common dieting pitfalls during busy periods like silage season, were very accessible to the busy contractors in attendance.​

 

Michael Moroney, Research Director at FCI, examined the benefits of slurry separation as a solution to the practical issues associated with low emission slurry spreading, and the costs associated with slurry separation systems for agricultural contractors.

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​Gerth Pederson gave interesting insights into the Danish experience of agricultural contracting in recent years. Of particular interest were the thought provoking case studies around pricing strategies.