Full coverage: Agriculture

From trade wards to the "starbuckification" of food retail, Aidan Connolly foresees disruption and opportunities in the year(s) ahead – with Irish farmers and food processors showing disparate levels of readiness in the face of upcoming challenges.

Contemptuous of cheddar, but jealous of Irish rain: a new study by Bord Bia’s French counterpart assesses the performance of Ireland among the world’s top dairy exporters and holds some lessons for the industry here.

Protesting farmers are right to say that Irish commodity prices should not be lower than elsewhere in the EU. They must now realise the transformation their industry is facing to achieve this.

Ireland is now under EU obligation to designate a regulator for the food trade. Who should police relations between farmers, processors and retailers? How much power should they have? Thomas Hubert meets Christine Tacon, the Groceries Code Adjudicator in the UK – arguably the most advanced country in this area.

The weight of Chinese demand on Ireland’s agri-food exports and the markets they serve comes out stronger than ever in the latest Teagasc outlook – but a no-deal Brexit is by no means out of the way.

Irish entrepreneurs have attracted attention – and capital – in the rush to revolutionise agriculture with technology. Here are some of those who are converting ideas into solid investment, and why their backers decided to take the plunge.

The ongoing price crisis in the beef sector has highlighted the need for alternative export markets. Beijing-based Ian Lahiffe warns against the expectation that growing Chinese imports alone will save the day.

Celtic Wind Crops has appointed IBI to raise €3.5 million. It sees its future in CBD, a natural remedy made from cannabis to treat common ailments. The Currency reveals how the business plans to tap into a growing market.

The complexity of the corporate structures behind horse breeding magnate John Magnier’s global investments has grown in tandem with his empire. A two-month investigation by The Currency explores dozens of firms in the Coolmore empire.

Many sectors face severe disruption if Brussels and London fail to seal a Brexit agreement in the coming days. One would disappear: milk production and processing in Northern Ireland.