IFA president Eddie Downey said larger grain buyers must take the lead in setting prices that will support growers’ incomes.

“I have been in contact with all co-op and merchant grain buyers,” said Downey. “The price for dried grain for the November/December collection has strengthened and this must be reflected in the price paid for green grain. A strong price is necessary to help grain farmers justify continued planting for next year.”

It is unusual for prices not to be settled at this stage of the year. IFA grain chair Liam Dunne said low prices and escalating costs, particularly for fertiliser, are leading to a third successive year of low incomes.

“It now takes 2.5t of grain to purchase 1t of CAN,” he said. “Historically, the price ratio was 1:1 or less.”

Dunne also highlighted the significant costs new trailer and sprayer specification regulations are imposing on tillage farmers: “Government commitment to a TAMS scheme for grain farmers must be meaningful and introduced without delay.”

A meeting for Glanbia contract oat growers is taking place tonight (Thursday) at the Clanard Court Hotel, at 8.30pm. A proposal to only pay a premium on 80% of delivered tonnage in 2016 has angered growers.