Farmers feeling the pinch due tohigh costs and political instability

LAST year began with the battle of the climate change Bills but following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the debate quickly switched to one of food security as prices for feed, fertiliser and fuel soared amidst concerns over availability of these vital farm inputs.

With no Assembly sitting for the latter half of the year there was little progress on major issues such as farm support and the control of diseases such as TB and BVD. Bird flu was an ongoing threat to the poultry sector at both ends of the year.

And as always the weather was a major talking point with sweltering summer heat and, just before Christmas, the coldest snap for many years.

FarmWeek Editor Robert Irwin has been reviewing the ups and downs of 2022.