Sustainable Livestock Village to highlight international Year of Woman Farmer
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, TD, has officially launched the Sustainable Livestock Village 2026 ahead of this year’s Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show, on Sunday August 9.
Now entering its fourth year, the Sustainable Livestock Village has become a key feature at Tullamore Show, providing farmers with practical advice, demonstrations and farmer-led discussions focused on improving sustainability and resilience on Irish livestock farms.
A theme of this year’s Sustainable Livestock Village will be the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the vital contribution women make to Irish agriculture while highlighting the importance of generational renewal.
Through expert discussions, practical demonstrations and farmer-led conversations, the programme will explore how the sector can continue to support the next generation of farmers and encourage greater participation, leadership and innovation across Irish agriculture.
At the launch, Minister Martin Heydon said: “The International Year of the Woman Farmer provides an important opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution women make to Irish farming every day. Women play a central role in farm businesses, family farming and rural communities across the country.
“It also highlights the need to ensure that farming remains an attractive and accessible career path for the next generation, supporting greater gender balance, innovation and leadership across the sector.”
The minister said Irish farmers continue to play a vital role in delivering sustainable food production while also addressing challenges around climate, water quality and biodiversity.
“The Sustainable Livestock Village provides an excellent platform for farmers to access practical information, learn from one another and see first-hand the solutions that can help improve both environmental and economic performance on their farms. My government will continue to provide practical supports to farmers to assist them as they transition to more sustainable food production systems.”
The village brings together organisations from across the agri-food sector under one roof, creating a destination where farmers can engage directly with experts and fellow farmers on topics including water quality, climate action, animal performance, biodiversity, farm succession and generational renewal.
In addition to ongoing partner organisations, this year the National Dairy Council and the Agri-Food Regulator join the Sustainable Livestock Village for the first time, further strengthening its role as a collaborative hub where farmers can access information, advice and support from across the agri-food sector.
The 2026 programme will feature a range of interactive displays, livestock demonstrations and expert-led discussions, including sessions on enhancing water quality and biodiversity, supporting generational renewal, driving sustainable animal performance and sustainable farm planning. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore practical examples of how sustainable farming practices can deliver both environmental and economic benefits on farm.
Michela Dolan, cair of the Sustainable Livestock Village at Tullamore, said: “The village has become one of the most popular attractions at the Tullamore Show. Visitors value the opportunity to engage directly with experts, participate in farmer-led discussions and learn about the latest developments in sustainable livestock production.
“The village showcases practical solutions that farmers can adopt on their own farms while also recognising the considerable efforts and progress made by the sector to help ensure the long-term sustainability of Irish agriculture. We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors once again this year.”
Participating organisations include the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia, Teagasc, Animal Health Ireland, ICBF, FBD, Irish Farmers Journal, Macra na Feirme, Meat Industry Ireland, National Dairy Council and the Agri-Food Regulator.
The Sustainable Livestock Village will take place as part of the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show on Sunday August 9.