It will be another year of mixed fortunes in Irish agriculture in 2015, according to Teagasc economists in a new report summarising their mid-year assessment of the sector’s performance.

Drystock producers, who ordinarily have relatively low incomes, will see their farm profits increase in 2015. By contrast, dairy farmers who normally record the highest incomes each year, will see their farm profits fall.

In general Teagasc says farm input price movements to date in 2015 have been minimal with upward pressure on fertilizer prices being offset by lower feed and fuel prices.

Weather conditions have not presented any serious headaches for producers. According to Teagasc current indications are that input usage levels this year are likely to be close to normal.

See below Teagasc’s sectoral analysis:

In spite of the upward income trend on drystock farms in 2015, Teagasc says when the decline in income on dairy farms is factored in, overall average family farm income is likely to fall by about 15% relative to 2014, leaving average income in the €22,000 to €23,000 range.

The report was prepared by Trevor Donnellan, Kevin Hanrahan, Thia Hennessy and Fiona Thorne who are based at the Agricultural Economics and Farms Surveys Department Teagasc.