Some one in four contactors have spread at least 100t less fertiliser so far this year, compared to the same period of 2025.

That's according to Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI), which carried out a recent survey of its members on their fertiliser usage.

This survey found that 67% - around two-thirds - of surveyed contractors have seen a reduction of some amount in the fertiliser they've spread so far this year compared to last year.

33% of respondents said they had spread up to 50t less, while 9% said they had spread between 50t and 100t less.

25% of respondents - one-quarter - have spread over 100t less fertiliser so far this year.

Of this, 12% have spread between 100t and 150t less fertiliser; 2% have spread between 150t and 200t less; 7% have spread between 200t and 250t less; and 4% have spread more than 250t less.

The FCI said that drought conditions have seen a reduction in hours of work for most farm contracting activities during the summer of 2026.

The association said that a reduction in fertiliser spread "is just another hit, in a long line of hits throughout 2026, that the sector has suffered".

The FCI has already written to the government this month requesting a temporary extension of the slurry spreading period, with the association now saying that a similar temporary extension should be introduced for fertiliser applications where ground conditions, weather conditions and grass growth allow, and when there is no risk to waterways.

The organisation said that contractors in Ireland currently employ close to 8,000 people full-time; but claimed that the current deadline for fertiliser application of September 15 "could impact that figure significantly".

Commenting on reduction in fertiliser spreading, FCI national chairperson Norman Egar said: "The reduction in fertiliser spread is just another cross for contractors to bear.

"This year has felt like death by a thousand cuts for contractors," he added.

FCI managing director Anne Gleeson Hanrahan said: "Exceptional times call for an exceptional response, but so far government has made no commitment of further supports for the sector most affected by the summer of drought and the ongoing fuel crisis."