Nuffield Conference explores how varied demands will influence future of farming
Industry leaders gather in Athlone
The annual Nuffield Ireland Conference took place at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone last week, bringing together industry leaders to discuss the future of Irish agriculture. Marking 30 years of Nuffield Ireland, the conference examined how people, nature and consumer demands will shape the future of Irish farming beyond agricultural output.
People, Purpose, Possibilities
This year's conference, 'Farming the Future – People, Purpose, Possibilities', explored several major themes shaping Irish agriculture. Discussions highlighted the growing role of technology in farming, the importance of connecting food production with changing consumer expectations, and the need for new business and succession models to support generational renewal. Speakers also examined how farmers are increasingly being asked to deliver environmental outcomes alongside food production, and how resilience requires tailored solutions that reflect differing farm systems, locations and resources.
Keynote speaker Dr Siobhán Jordan, head of technology transfer and commercialisation at Teagasc, explored how technology could reshape farming by 2050 and the leadership needed to navigate this change while two panel discussions looked beyond production. The first, ‘Producing More Than Food’, explored nature, succession and making farming a viable career for women and young people, while ‘Beyond the Farm Gate’ examined what tomorrow’s consumer will expect from Irish food, from nutrition to planetary health.
Gráinne Dwyer, Chair of Nuffield Ireland, said: "Thirty years ago, Padraig Walshe and Jim McCarthy set out as Ireland's first Nuffield Scholars. Today we saw what that idea has grown into - a network of people who have challenged established thinking and brought learnings from the best of the world's agriculture home to Irish farming."
2025 Scholars
Attendees also heard from returning 2025 Scholars, who shared insights from their international research projects:
Marina Conway found that 65 per cent of landowners without agroforestry would consider adopting it, with permanence of forestry designation identified as the key barrier.
Seamus McMenamin highlighted that 84 per cent of sheep farmers under 35 work off-farm, reinforcing the importance of diversification in retaining younger generations in the sector.
Majella McCafferty explored how Ireland's future competitive advantage will depend on connecting food production more closely to people and consumers.
Zoe McKay demonstrated that no single solution exists for pasture resilience, with farmers instead requiring a flexible toolbox tailored to individual farm conditions.
The conference also marked the midway point of the 2026 Scholars’ journeys: John Donlon, Conor Hogan, Paula McCooey, David Scallan (Nuffield Ireland FBD Scholar) and Kenny McCauley, and also welcomed the newly announced 2027 Scholars: Tom McGrath, Niamh Brennan (Nuffield Ireland FBD Scholar), Emma Flynn and Shauna Jager.
Michael Berkery, Chair of the FBD Trust, said: "As founding investor of Nuffield Ireland, FBD Trust is proud to have sponsored this 30th anniversary conference. Today showed exactly why investing in people matters. We congratulate and wish our 2027 Scholars every success, especially Nuffield Ireland FBD Scholar for 2027 Niamh Brennan."