The IFA calculation for winter barley is based on an average yield of 7.9t/ha and costs of €1,221/ha, alongside farmer input spend with the co-op or merchant of €700/ha.

The next biggest loss will be for spring wheat growers, who are set to lose €80/ha this year, according to the calculations.

This is followed by spring barley growers who are set to lose €75/ha.

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However, the biggest loss is expected for bean growers, who look set to be out of pocket by €167/ha.

Meanwhile, some growers look set to experience a profit, including winter oil seed rape growers and spring oil seed rape growers, who are expected to make a €92/ha and €8/ha profit respectively.

Profit losses

These predicted profit losses are the latest in a series of low-price years for the Irish tillage sector. As tillage editor Andy Doyle writes, the low prices have led to a significant challenge for survival for farmers in this sector.

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