Dairy farmers have been called on by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae to reflect on their work-life balance.

This comes after the minister was presented with findings of a recent study, at the Moorepark open day 2025. Research carried out by Dublin City University (DCU) and Teagasc among Irish farmers showed 24% reporting burnout and 50% reporting sleep issues.

Minister Healy-Rae said: “While farmers are under pressure, particularly during the busy spring period and at harvest, it is encouraging that this study found that by adopting more effective work organisation, workloads can be reduced, leading to an enhanced and more sustainable lifestyle for dairy farmers and their families.”

The People in Dairying Research Programme, which was managed by Dr Conor Hogan, Teagasc research officer, found that farms with more effective work organisation reported shorter working hours, more days off, and earlier finish times in spring compared to all other farms. These farmers also found it easier to attract and retain staff.

Farmers in the study identified five key areas that can save time or cause hardship during spring:

  • Calf management.
  • Workforce planning.
  • Weather.
  • Animal health.
  • Work organisation.

    • Earlier evening milking was a key practice to reduce total working hours, while early planning, smart investments, and initiative-taking workforce sourcing helped reduce stress and save time during the calving season.

    “Practical measures which contribute to improving farmers’ work-life balance are essential for safe and productive farming," the Minister said.

    "After a hard day’s work, it is important that there is time for family life and interests outside the farm gate. Research also shows that by planning and managing the workload, the risk of a safety incident is reduced.”