A recent study found that over 50% of farm relief operators valued clear communication as an important factor for working on a farm. According to the 2026 Survey of Farm Relief Operators conducted by Farm Relief Services Co-Op ( FRS Co-Op), over 50% of respondents ranked clear communication of duties and responsibilities as the most important factor for working on a farm. This was closely followed by proper rostering, with 44% of farm relief operators agreeing that start and finish times are the most important factor of working on a farm. Over 50% of farm workers have less than 20 minutes commute to work, and a further 26% commute between 20 and 30 minutes to work. When asked what the farming industry needs to do to retain existing employees or to attract new talent, more than 56% of farm workers cited the need for higher wages as the most important factor.

Source: Irish Examiner February 04, 2026 18:30 UTC