Farmers operating suckler or sheep enterprises lost over €4,500 of their direct payments last year through actively farming.

Direct payments contribute 158% of the average suckler farmer’s income and almost 137% of sheep farmers’ incomes.

Payments to the average suckler farmer totalled €13,109 last year but they made an income of just €8,318, a loss of over €4,500 in payments. Sheep farmers received an average payment of €18,812 but made just €13,769, a loss of over €5,000.

While these farms are the most reliant on direct payments, they receive the smallest average payment.

Dairy farmers received an average payment of €21,131, accounting for 34% of their income. Tillage farmers had the largest payment of €23,132, making up 54% of their income.

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Teagasc received €15.4m from CAP in 2018

Top 2018 CAP beneficiary companies and organisations