Market news and developments are hugely important. Each week in the paper, we detail market trends, dips and climbs.

However, the majority of farmers sell their grain at harvest and do not try to control the price that they are paid.

It can also be said that we have no control over the world markets. We cannot control getting an extra €5/t because of a drought somewhere in the world.

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If we stand back, while that €5/t is very welcome, in a year like 2026, that €5/t will increase income, but a lot more is needed.

This means we need premium markets. We need to add value to the grain that we produce.

In the markets session at Tillage Day 2026, we will hear from CEO of the Malting Company of Ireland Paul McGillicuddy. Paul will give an overview of malting markets and the future ahead for them, as well as opportunities to increase payments to farmers.

John Martin of Centenary Thurles will update the audience on the co-op’s Tipperary Fresh product. He will give an update on sales and markets and explain why the co-op decided to produce this high-value, non-GM product and if it is producing a benefit for the co-op and its suppliers.

Trading

Paul Ward of Drummonds will discuss grain trading in Ireland. Drummonds buys a huge amount of grain and a large amount of this is sold on to other feed mills. Are Irish markets set up as well as they could be? How does imported grain affect the market and how grain moves?

The three speakers will chat through the challenges, the positives, the opportunities and changes that may be needed in markets to make them work better for the farmer.

Grain sales are obviously still important, but finding premium markets that can add significantly to grain prices is what is needed to really help tillage incomes.

Yes, we’ll take any increase in grain price that comes, but we must start to value Irish grain and get milk and meat producers to value it as well to produce products fed Irish grass and Irish grain.

We also need to create demand for malting barley by examining the ingredients used in Irish drinks production.

Tillage Day is organised by the Irish Farmers Journal and supported by the Irish Seed Trade Association. To purchase tickets you can log onto www.ifj.ie/tillageday or phone 01-419 9525.

To view the full agenda, click here.