Farmers are expressing concern over the number of young people choosing to join the sector.

The Irish Farmers Association has said income challenges are putting new entrants off.

Their concerns have been raised ahead of tomorrow's Tullamore Show and National Livestock Show - which is sometimes described as the ‘Cattle Olympics’.

IFA President Francie Gorman said farmers need more help from the Government to earn a decent living from the land.

“The sector [has been] hugely challenged over the past 10 to 15 years,” he said.

“[There have been] changes to policy and the inability of Government to make payment on time this.

“[It’s been] hugely, hugely challenging for everyone in the sector.”

Farmers have got increasingly old in recent decades, according to the CSO.

In 1991, 33.1% of farm holders were under 45 but by 2020 this figure had fallen to 20.8%.