A new tillage organisation, Tillage Industry Ireland (TII), has been set up to promote the tillage sector.

It will be composed of representatives from eight different bodies: the IFA, the Animal and Plant Health Association (APHA), the Irish Seed Trade Association (ISTA), Independent Merchants Ltd (ACORN), the Federation of Agricultural Retail Merchants (FARM), the Irish Fertilizer Manufacturers’ Association (IFMA), the Irish Tillage Consultants’ Association (ITCA) and the Irish Farmers Journal.

It has already commissioned an independent report to value the total contribution of the tillage sector to Irish agriculture and the rural economy.

It also supports a significant number of jobs in the supply and downstream trading and processing industries

The tillage sector in Ireland extends to around 350,000ha of farmland, including cereals, vegetables, root and horticultural crops. The 2m tonnes of cereal crops produced annually are valued at up to €400m at the farm gate. According to TII, the sector supports over 10,000 jobs directly.

It also supports a significant number of jobs in the supply and downstream trading and processing industries such as machinery manufacturing, plant breeding, the drinks industry, food oils and crop protection.

TII president Matt Dempsey said it was established to provide a cohesive voice for Irish tillage and will champion the importance of a sustainable tillage industry within Irish agriculture supporting the reputation of Irish food and drink exports, which now exceed €12bn annually.

“The organisation encompasses all layers within the tillage supply chain including growers, merchants, consultants and the seed trade, along with crop protection and fertiliser suppliers,” he said.