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Purpose: This paper examines the role of agricultural advisors in supporting farm families on the complex processes associated with farm succession and inheritance. Design/Methodology/approach: An online survey was conducted of all 256 public sector agricultural advisors in Ireland, examining their role, knowledge, training and support requirements in providing advice on succession and inheritance to farm families. Findings: Agricultural advisors have a key role to play in providing advice to farmers on the succession stage of farm transfer, particularly at the initial stages of the process where a high level of trust is required, and the provision of information is key. In terms of supporting farmers in this process the advisors do not feel they have the knowledge and skills required. Agricultural advisors need a model of training which reflects the subject of succession and inheritance in a softer more reflective approach. Theoretical Implications: This study highlights a new dimension to the extension literature, by identifying very specific roles for agricultural advisors in supporting farm families on farm succession and inheritance decisions and the attendant training and resource requirements. Practical implications: Teagasc agricultural advisors have a key role to play in providing advice on succession and inheritance, and due to their independent position and trust-based relationship with farmers, they require more knowledge, training and resources to effectively provide such advice. Originality/Value: The paper captures a unique understanding of Irish agricultural advisors' attitudes to their role in, and capability to deliver, farm succession and inheritance advice.

Whilst research attention on the mental wellbeing of farmers is growing, there are few studies focused on young farmers. Our research set out to better understand the factors affecting young farmer mental wellbeing and help-seeking behaviour. We draw insights from a combined study in Ireland and the UK, supplemented by separate studies by the same author team in both places. Through the use of young farmer interviews and surveys, as well as interviews of those who support young farmers with their mental wellbeing, we identify a mixed picture of mental wellbeing and a plethora of factors affecting it. Though many of these factors have been identified in the wider literature, the impact of socialisation and time off the farm, and sexism/misogyny affecting young female farmers, were specifically identified in our study. In some cases, young farmers were considered to be better at speaking about mental wellbeing than their older counterparts, but our study indicated that some people in this demographic fail to seek assistance because of stigma, stoicism, and possible lack of confidentiality. Improving the accessibility of mental wellbeing services, as well as normalising conversations on the subject and providing support in informal social settings, were identified as key recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narratives dominate the agricultural discourse that digitalisation is the 'silver bullet' to agricultural, environmental, and global issues, resulting in an external push towards automation and a rapid increase in digital technologies in the sector. Concentrated productivist views and techno-optimist hype and momentum is carrying us briskly towards a digital farming revolution, with little conversation or consideration of the social impacts of digitalisation. The application of social science research to digital agriculture is relatively new and the pace at which it has been developing to keep up with digital advances in the sector has left this body of literature scattered and lacking sufficient overview. To address this, a scoping study was conducted on social and behavioural science literature related to digital agriculture. This scoping study, which incorporates 200 references, pays particular attention to stakeholder engagement and how agricultural digitalisation has been developing. This methodology enables us to provide an extensive overview of this field of research, presenting key themes pertaining to the literature including barriers and facilitators of, as well as anticipated positive and negative impacts of digital technology adoption. We find that whilst there has been a general win-win, techno-positive narrative in the agricultural sector, proof of these benefits is limited and some technologies are eliciting negative effects to its users, transforming the landscape of agriculture. In order to be responsive to these negative consequences, it is important that we turn our attention upstream to examine how technologies are designed and developed for use in an agricultural context. This can be achieved by integrating more inclusive approaches to technology design. These approaches will help to mitigate negative effects of technologies, help to create successful and responsible innovations, tackle low adoption issues, and help to create more responsible digital futures. [Display omitted] • There is a lack of overview of how digital agriculture is developing. • A scoping study was conducted on 200 social science papers relative to digital agriculture. • Digital technologies elicit both positive and negative effects. • Stakeholder engagement is predominantly used to examine or establish reasons as to why farmers are not adopting technology. • A more inclusive approach to technology design and development is needed to mitigate negative effects of technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]