A Longford farmer says the challenges facing the agriculture sector next year are mounting up in a significant way.
Phil Stewart who runs a 500 acre farm with his family at Ballinamore, Longford says the price of fuel is one major issue for farmers over recent months, but the price and availability of fertiliser is also a major cause for concern.
The Stewart farm raises dairy beef, and is almost self-sufficient for feed with a large area of tillage crops being grown for that purpose.
It also runs an agri-contractor business.
Speaking on the Let's Talk show today, Philp Stewart says like every other farmer, he's watching the input costs rising in a major way, and that will present serious challenges.