The first in a series of seminars on the prospects for Irish agriculture takes place tonight in Carlow.

Over the coming months, AIB will host a series of regional seminars for farming customers on the prospects for Irish agriculture, starting tonight in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow.

The seminars will feature presentations from industry stakeholders and AIB Agri Advisors. They will look at the outlook for their Irish agri sector and the potential opportunities and challenges it faces. The key considerations when applying for finance, and managing cyclicality and farm expansion will also be discussed.

At tonight's seminar, Justin McCarthy, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal will discuss the macro outlook for the industry in the medium to long term, looking at the opportunities and challenges for the industry and the farming sectors.

Bernard Byrne, Director of Personal, Business and Corporate Banking at AIB will speak about AIB's commitment to the farming sector.

Pat O'Meara will discuss the dynamics at farm level, the decisions farmers are confronted with in terms of expansion and improving efficiency and the importance of cashflow management. He will also look at farm investment and what AIB looks for in a lending application.

Seminars will also take place in Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas, Co Cork on Tuesday 25 November and Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Tipperary on Thursday 27th November.