If there is one sector that is really suffering at the moment, despite the relatively decent weather, it is the tillage sector. On the face of it the fields of golden straw paint a nice picture. Lift the lid and the outlook is not what you want to see for tillage farmer livelihoods.

Yields and quality of the winter sown crops are relatively good. However, the prospects for profit are slim to non-existent).

How can we realistically plan to grow or hold the sector if no profit is forthcoming? Was the growth strategy proposed just another Government ploy to potentially reduce stock numbers further? We need real strategic action on support to build a future vision for the sector.

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I see the ‘RENURE’ concept, which essentially means separating nitrogen and other nutrients from slurry, getting support from European ministers after a Dutch call this week for the wider use of RENURE in the Nitrates Directive.

Basically this is the recycling of slurry into fractions that potentially could reduce the need for artificial fertilisers. As a concept, that is all fine and the ministers are proposing finalising support for this in September. However, in an Irish context, it’s not the solution to the Nitrates Directive we need.

The stocking rate derogation is the Irish solution to an inherently more environmentally sustainable system