The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is calling on agriculture minister, Charlie McConalogue, to introduce a bespoke tillage support measure, which will reflect the immediate needs of farmers.
IFA National Grain Committee chair, Kieran McEvoy commented: “The monies made available must reflect the losses that have impacted on tillage farmers in the wake of the new basic payment arrangements under the Common Agricultural Policy and convergence.
“The bottom line is the absolute need for the tillage sector to be adequately supported at the present time.
“Government must also recognise the fact that tillage farmers have been placed in a totally uncompetitive position when it comes to renting or leasing land.
“Yes the land rental market has cooled a little bit over recent weeks. But with prices still making up to €400/ac, it remains a very harsh environment for farmers wanting to grow crops,” he added.
McEvoy points out that new support measures made available to tillage farmers in 2024 must add to the recommendations that emanate from the Food Vision Tillage Group report.
It is widely anticipated that the group’s final report will be submitted to the agriculture minister during the first half of March.
Significantly, Kieran McEvoy believes that Minister McConalogue is keen to support the needs of the tillage sector.
Meeting with DAFM
A delegation from the IFA’s National Grain Committee is due to meet representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) early next week.
Issues to be discussed include the transport of slurry from livestock to tillage farms, the implementation of the new Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) measures.
“There is significant potential for slurries to be transported from livestock to tillage farms,” McEvoy said.
“Many of our arable soils require additional phosphate, nitrogen and potash. And slurries represent a very valuable source of these essential plant nutrients.
“But we need to work through with DAFM officials the actual nitrates values of these slurries.”
McEvoy envisages slurry movements taking place, for the most part, during the closed period. These are times of the year when slurry cannot go out onto land.
“This brings up the matter of slurry storage on tillage farms. And it’s another issue that we will be discussing with department officials next week,” he confirmed.
Three-crop rule
The IFA has called on DAFM to seek an exemption from Brussels regarding the implementation of ‘three crop rule’ in 2024.
“Farmers were absolute hostages to fortune during the 2023 autumn planting season, as a direct result of the atrocious weather,” McEvoy continued.
“I see no reason why the European Commission cannot recognise this reality.”
The IFA representative foresees a scenario unfolding within which Irish tillage farmers will be allowed to push ahead with the planting of spring barley over the coming weeks.
“But this will bring with it a requirement to focus on the establishment of cover crops next autumn,” he explained.
According to McEvoy, the jury is out as to whether there will be enough spring barley seed in the country to meet 2024 demand.
“The plan to push ahead with the planting of winter wheat crops until the middle of February didn’t materialise, again because of the weather,” he confirmed.
“The seed trade has gone the extra mile in sourcing additional spring barley seed from across Europe. And there may still be scope to bring-in additional stocks.
“But this still may not be enough to prevent the tillage sector hitting a pinch point at some stage over the coming weeks.”