Tillage farmers, along with other farmers, are enduring a tough spring and are busy between the showers trying to plant crops. It’s a struggle and patience is needed.

Land is still drying out and there is rain in the forecast. Grain prices have not risen substantially as fertiliser and fuel prices soar. The value of Irish grain needs to be appreciated by every sector.

It is good to see farmers maximising beans area in the current climate, but the question is whether merchants and co-ops will support the sector and purchase these beans.

ADVERTISEMENT

It is great to hear positivity around Irish grain on the tillage pages this week.

J Grennan & Sons doubled their oats usage this year while other feed mills left them sitting in sheds. All of the company’s barley, wheat, oats and beans are Irish. They are buying grain from merchants who buy their feed.

A circular economy is what’s needed to help tillage and support all farming sectors. It’s also positive news to see the IFA council progressing the proposals for a minimum inclusion of Irish grain as part of the Bord Bia quality assurance schemes across different sectors.

While the document is only at the proposal stage, with a number of issues around supply still to be ironed out, it is still a positive step forward to try to encourage Irish grain use in rations and in turn protect Irish grain growers.