Harvest 2026 is well under way on tillage farms around the country. It has been a great start, with the weather really playing ball for low moisture and ideal harvesting conditions.

There are varying reports on yields, with some farmers reporting decent yields and others reporting below average yields, with no one reason for reduced tonnage.

Like many other farming sectors in Ireland, supports are critical to the tillage sector, and the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is one of the schemes that saw a big uptake among tillage farmers over the last few years to avail of the extra financial support.

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There were 5,202ha of winter barley straw applied for under the 2026 SIM, along with 8,337 ha of winter oat straw. The problem is that the majority of these areas have been harvested with no confirmation from the Department of Agriculture that farmers have been accepted into the scheme.

The oilseed rape harvest is also under way. This puts tillage farmers in a difficult position as to whether to turn on the chopper or not. It’s not fair for the minister or the Department of Agriculture to leave farmers in such an uncertain position.

Farmers deal with enough uncertainty around input prices and grain prices without having to deal with it in relation to Department schemes.

Many tillage farmers are looking at margins from crops and contemplating ceasing operations on the back of increased costs and reduced grain prices. Everybody acknowledges that budgets are tight, but if a farmer enters a scheme in good faith, the scheme should be honoured or at the very least inform farmers of the outcome before harvest starts.

The minister needs to make an announcement as soon as possible.