Grain prices have been made public by three co-ops: Centenary Thurles, Tirlán and Dairygold. Tillage farmers expressed their views on prices and the economics of tillage farming this week.
Jeremy Dineen, Ovens, Co Cork
“The grain prices are disappointing, but hardly surprising. Thankfully, the prices improved a little bit since before harvest, but still, it isn’t an answer to our problems.
“I would give Dairygold some credit for its bean price and the concept of the minimum price when you’re sowing the crop.
“We need to go down that line more, particularly with malting barley. If farmers knew what they’ll get before they put seed in the ground, it would take a lot of the risk out of malting barley.
“Tillage had all the limelight last year and it was recognised, the mess we were in, but it’s worse now.”
Andrew Revington, Delvin, Co Westmeath
“To be real about it, the grain price we’re being paid by the co-ops is a relatively fair price when you look at the world market. It’s when you look at the costs involved in growing the crops that the price isn’t fair.
“The harvest was average except for the beans, which did surprisingly well.
“We’re being asked to grow a crop to a very high standard, which is fine, but grain is allowed to be imported with very little standards applied to it.
“How can Irish dairy or beef be in Origin Green if they’re importing GM maize or soya to feed the cows?”
Gary Roe, Ballacolla, Co Laois
“On feed grain prices, Tirlán’s offer was disappointing.
“They dress it up with their bonuses.
“I think Centenary Thurles’ price was a fair price. We’re all working on world markets so that’s the way it is.
“It’s the malting barley that I’m disgusted at.
“For roasting barley, that just colours the Guinness to make more than the brewing barley, that actually makes the Guinness, it doesn’t add up.
“Diageo has lost touch with growers in Ireland.
“It’s only a few cents on a pint that would make a huge difference to farmers.
“There’s no profit this year, it’s a loss farmers are making, especially on rented ground.”
Craig Masterson, Bunclody, Co Wexford
“The malting price was very disappointing. I’d like to see the parity charge removed by Boortmalt. It wouldn’t be a lot to ask for and it’s the least Boortmalt could do this year. It would acknowledge the risk that farmers take in growing malting barley.
“It would give a bit of confidence, a bit of hope to the tillage sector. At the moment, the malting price will be in the back of people’s minds and I don’t see why they wouldn’t grow feed over malting barley next year.
“Four or five years ago, you would’ve been happy with this grain price, but the costs have gone up so much.”
Pat Collins, Castlemartyr, Co Cork
“The world market isn’t highly buoyant, but I think they could’ve done better with the prices. We’ve heard a lot over the past few years about maize keeping the price of barley down. There’s less maize this year with the poor harvest in France, so it should be able to raise the barley price too.
“The trading bonuses are now added into the price of grain. They’re not a bonus anymore, they’re propping up the price.
“We’re a mixed farm that grow a lot of what we feed, but it’s nearly cheaper now to buy in the barley than to grow it. These prices are completely unsustainable for grain growers.”
IFA grain chairperson John Murphy has said a malting barley growers’ meeting will be held on Monday, 12 October, in The Dolmen Hotel, Co Carlow, at 8pm.
SHARING OPTIONS