A survey compiled by the Irish Grain Growers (IGG) has shown that a significant amount of tillage farmers are behind on the sowing of spring crops.
According to the survey conducted on 100 tillage farmers, just 25% of farmers have all of their spring planting done while almost 15% of farmers have no spring crops planted.
The survey also shows that half of tillage farmers have had to alter their cropping plans, while 30% have reduced the total area of their farm devoted to tillage.
IGG chair Bobby Miller said: " The survey is an accurate reflection of what is happening on the ground, there are pockets that have been hit hard."
He also went on to say: "There are a lot of farmers without a crop in the ground" which was startling, especially as we are approaching the start of May.
Miller said that co-ops need to offer tillage farmers more support. He pointed out to the fact that they were happy to reduce the price of meal by €50/t and import fodder for livestock farmers earlier in the spring, but so far have offered support for tillage farmers.
Another interesting aspect of the survey said that only 10% of tillage farmers have opted to grow fodder crops for the first time this year for other farmers, despite the existence of match making services between livestock and tillage farmers.
However, according to Miller this is due to a lack of interest from the dairy and beef sector.
Miller said: "Tillage farmers are unwilling to invest €2,500/hectare if there was no market for there crops" and that "it is up to co-ops to guarantee a market for tillage farmers".
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Sunshine gets fieldwork under way in reasonable conditions
Just 5% of field veg crops planted
A survey compiled by the Irish Grain Growers (IGG) has shown that a significant amount of tillage farmers are behind on the sowing of spring crops.
According to the survey conducted on 100 tillage farmers, just 25% of farmers have all of their spring planting done while almost 15% of farmers have no spring crops planted.
The survey also shows that half of tillage farmers have had to alter their cropping plans, while 30% have reduced the total area of their farm devoted to tillage.
IGG chair Bobby Miller said: " The survey is an accurate reflection of what is happening on the ground, there are pockets that have been hit hard."
He also went on to say: "There are a lot of farmers without a crop in the ground" which was startling, especially as we are approaching the start of May.
Miller said that co-ops need to offer tillage farmers more support. He pointed out to the fact that they were happy to reduce the price of meal by €50/t and import fodder for livestock farmers earlier in the spring, but so far have offered support for tillage farmers.
Another interesting aspect of the survey said that only 10% of tillage farmers have opted to grow fodder crops for the first time this year for other farmers, despite the existence of match making services between livestock and tillage farmers.
However, according to Miller this is due to a lack of interest from the dairy and beef sector.
Miller said: "Tillage farmers are unwilling to invest €2,500/hectare if there was no market for there crops" and that "it is up to co-ops to guarantee a market for tillage farmers".
Read more
Sunshine gets fieldwork under way in reasonable conditions
Just 5% of field veg crops planted
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