Harvesting is now underway in parts of the country, leaving tillage farmers with a decision between chopping or baling straw, without knowing if the land they applied for will be included in the Straw Incorporation Measure.
Wexford farmer Isaac Wheelock began harvesting oats on Monday and has already started chopping straw.
Wheelock applied to enter just under 100 acres of oats, wheat and oilseed rape into the measure but said he received no update from the Department of Agriculture.
He said he intends to continue chopping his oat straw but may bale wheat straw if he does not receive confirmation shortly.
Action needed
Wheelock added that the Department now needs to either issue acceptance letters to farmers or secure the funding required to cover applications.
“The tillage sector is currently on its last legs,” he said.
“They [the department] are all talk when it comes to the tillage sector, but when it comes to it, they turn around and walk away.”
He also argued that tillage has an important role to play in lowering agricultural emissions.
“We are the only sector that can bring the carbon footprint down, and we’re not being helped to do it,” he said.
No confirmation
Clive Carter, secretary of the Irish Grain Growers’ Group, has also received no confirmation regarding his application.
Carter applied to enter 58 acres of oats into the scheme and said he intends to chop the straw because of the value it will return to the soil.
However, he said the continued uncertainty has made planning difficult for growers, particularly as oat harvesting is underway and oilseed rape harvesting is beginning.
He said farmers need clarity on whether they should chop straw or retain it for baling.
Carter also raised concerns about weak grain prices and called for greater support from buyers and users of Irish-grown grain, adding that breweries and the animal feed industry should prioritise Irish-grown grain.
SHARING OPTIONS