Ireland’s agriculture sector is undergoing a major transformation, blending tradition with innovation.

At the forefront of this shift is Herdwatch, a global leader in livestock management technology, now headquartered in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

With digital solutions revolutionizing farming, strong government and EU backing, and Ireland’s booming export market, the country is poised to become a hub for smart agriculture. This article explores how technology, economics, and sustainability are shaping the future of Irish farming. 🚜

Ireland’s Agricultural Evolution & Herdwatch’s Role

Agriculture has long been a pillar of Ireland’s economy, contributing €9.89 billion annually and supporting 169,000 jobs. As farming adapts to modern challenges—climate change, global trade shifts, and efficiency demands—digital transformation has emerged as a game-changer.

At the heart of this revolution is Herdwatch, a cutting-edge livestock management platform, used by over 20,000 farmers worldwide. Herdwatch’s recent global headquarters opening in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, marks a defining moment—not just for the company, but for Ireland’s position as a leader in agritech innovation.

Herdwatch: From Local Startup to Global Powerhouse

Founded in 2012 by Fabien Peyaud and FRS Co-op, Herdwatch began as a solution to one of farming’s biggest headaches—record-keeping and compliance management. Farmers faced endless paperwork, tracking livestock treatments, breeding cycles, and sales records manually. Herdwatch changed everything, offering an easy-to-use mobile app that eliminates paperwork, reduces admin time by 50%, and boosts efficiency.

Today, Herdwatch operates in Ireland, the UK, the USA, Canada, and Ukraine, with plans to expand further across Europe and North America. The Roscrea headquarters, a 4,000 sq ft facility, serves as the company’s innovation hub, fueling advancements in AI-powered farm management.

How Herdwatch Works & Why It’s Revolutionary

Herdwatch provides farmers with real-time access to data, allowing them to track livestock health and productivity, automate compliance reporting, optimize breeding cycles, monitor feed consumption, and receive mobile alerts for disease prevention. Gone are the days of guesswork and manual logbooks—Herdwatch integrates seamlessly with government and industry databases, ensuring farmers stay informed, compliant, and ahead of the curve.

Beyond efficiency, Herdwatch is helping digitize livestock management, making farming more sustainable. By reducing administrative burdens, ensuring better animal welfare, and increasing profitability, the platform is transforming farming into a streamlined, data-driven process.

The Agritech Revolution & Market Impact

Digital farming isn’t just making agriculture smarter—it’s fueling Ireland’s economic strength. The livestock management sector, now worth over €15 billion globally, is shifting toward data-driven platforms, with Herdwatch leading the way.

Irish farms using AI and IoT technology have reported 20-30% productivity increases. The sector’s 7.9% annual growth rate has attracted European and US investors. Herdwatch has helped cut costs, streamline operations, and improve animal welfare, making food production safer and more sustainable.

Support from the Government & European Union

Herdwatch’s expansion comes amid strong national and EU support for agritech growth. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) has allocated €9.8 billion to modernize farming. Other key initiatives include €17.8 million in European Innovation Partnership (EIP) funding for regenerative agriculture, €224,508 secured for the Ecofabulands Initiative backing research in agroecology and smart farming, and €2.112 billion in Irish Government Budget for Agriculture, including €85 million in new measures for innovation.

With this investment, Ireland is fast becoming a European leader in digital agritech, supporting farms as they transition to cutting-edge technology that improves efficiency and sustainability.

Ireland’s Agriculture Sector: Strengths, Challenges & Exports

Agriculture remains one of Ireland’s strongest industries, with a trade surplus of €12.2 billion recorded in January 2025. The country exports €19 billion in agricultural products annually, with dairy and beef leading the charge.

Ireland’s agricultural exports include dairy products, beef, sheep meat, mushrooms, barley and grains, potatoes, seafood, poultry, processed foods, and animal feed. The top export markets include the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium. Ireland’s position as a major food exporter has strengthened due to advancements in digital farming tools such as Herdwatch, which increase efficiency, compliance, and food traceability.

The Biggest Agriculture Companies in Ireland

Ireland is home to several leading agriculture companies, each playing a significant role in the sector’s economic strength. The largest include Dole, Fyffes, Origin Enterprises, Keelings, Monaghan Mushrooms, Manor Farm, MD Agri Spares, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Drumanilra Organic Farm, and Codd Mushrooms. These companies drive Ireland’s agricultural economy, producing top-quality food exports while adapting to new digital solutions like Herdwatch.

The Future of Digital Agriculture in Ireland

The opening of Herdwatch’s global headquarters in Roscrea signals a major transformation in Ireland’s agriculture sector. Farms are rapidly adopting AI, IoT, and cloud-based technologies, boosting efficiency and sustainability. With strong government and EU support, Ireland is on track to become a global leader in smart farming, ensuring higher productivity, improved food safety, and reduced environmental impact.

The future of agriculture isn’t just traditional farming—it’s digital, data-driven, and powered by innovation. Herdwatch is proving that technology is the key to sustainable, profitable agriculture.

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Take your farm to the next level with Herdwatch — the smart way to track, manage, and optimize your herd and flock. 10 years of innovation, trusted by over 22,000 farmers worldwide to boost efficiency, ensure compliance, and drive profitability.

🚜 #SmartFarming 📱 #AgriTechRevolution 🇮🇪 #IrishAgriculture 🐄 #HerdwatchInnovation 🌍 #SustainableFarming