Dairygold has put forward a minimum green contract price for Beans of €175/t for the 2018 harvest, the co-op announced at a tillage conference it sponsored in Corrin Mart, Co Cork on Tuesday evening.

A Dairygold spokesperson said that the co-op was fully committed to maximizing the use of native Irish cereals and beans across its range of feedstuffs. The conference was presented with data from Teagasc showing the growth in the beans area from 3,000ha to 11,000ha in recent years, with the potential to displace 1.2mt of imported protein feed.

IFA grain chairman Mark Browne welcomed the announcement ahead of the sowing season. “The Dairygold price of €175/t is €15/t over last year’s harvest non-contract bean price. The increased price offer is a welcome development," he said. "This announcement will enable growers to make a commercial decision whether to grow the crop or not. Other merchants should follow the Dairygold lead.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Agriculture has said that the existing protein scheme would continue this year.

Asked about the future of the tillage sector at the ICSA AGM last week, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed highlighted protein crops as a way of developing the industry while supplying GM-free feed to Irish livestock farmers.

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