On the brink of the silage season, contractors are facing significant challenges with regard to labour availability and managing labour costs.

“Skilled machinery operators are being drawn back into the construction sector and that is once again a huge challenge for agricultural contractors who can only offer seasonal driving opportunities,” said Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) national chair Richard White.

“Labour availability is just one a series of major problems impacting on contractor cashflow and longer-term viability,” White said.

“We now know that a high output 10 acres/hour mowing combination will burn almost two litres of diesel per acre, while combination balers are burning close to two litres of diesel per bale.

“Larger self-propelled harvesters are using upwards of 12 litres/acre, so even with these modern and efficient machines, the fuel costs for silage making are significant and far greater than many farmers will be aware of,” White said.

€12,000 for charity

Meanwhile, the FCI has raised €12,000 for two charities, the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown, Dublin, and Down Syndrome Ireland. Some 1,00 people attended the fundraiser last week.

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