According to the chair of the Irish Grain Growers’ Group (IGGG) Bobby Miller, politicians must deliver fully costed commitments for the tillage sector in the run up to the 2024 general election.
“The political parties’ manifestos must contain fully costed policies that will deliver for the tillage sector well into the future.
“The current government promised bespoke, long-term support measures for tillage.
“Budget 2025 contained an aid package for this year only. Tillage farmers need the security of support measures that will allow them to build for the future on a sustainable basis.”
IGGG
The IGGG representative also has a very clear message for Irish grain buyers and the agri co-ops at the present time.
“Tillage farmers must receive realistic prices for the cereals they produced in 2024. International grain prices have increased by around €20/t since the end of this year’s harvest.
“This means that Irish grains, now in store, have risen in value by this amount. All of this must be reflected back in the prices paid to Irish tillage farmers over the coming weeks,” he said.
Meanwhile, field work continues apace on tillage farms across the country.
“Ground conditions continue to hold up well in most parts,” Miller added.
In my own case, this week will see the end of my autumn drilling programme. Gluten free oats are always the last crop to be planted out.
“Oats are sensitive to frost damage. So, it’s always a balancing act to get a planting date that reflects this fact, but which also acts to give the new crop the best possible start.
“In or around October 20 meets this requirement. Thankfully, ground conditions this year have allowed this to happen.
“Once all the planting work has been completed, it’s a case of getting on with the required herbicide programmes across all the crops,” he explained.
The coming weeks will see the IGGG rolling out its winter programme of events.
“The need to improve water quality is a key priority for all tillage farmers at the present time”, confirmed the organisation’s chair.
“With this in mind we are encouraging all farmers to sign up for the Farming for Water programme, which has been developed under the auspices of the European Innovation Partnership.
“It works under the jurisdiction of the Local Authority Waters Programme. Improving water quality is a challenge that involves every farmer in the country,” the IGGG representative said.