Ireland's Tillage Farmers Struggle with High Costs Despite Grain Price Hikes

Tillage farmers in Ireland have faced a tough year due to increased input costs and volatile output prices. The two big co-ops, Centenary Co-op and another unnamed one, announced their grain prices this week, with barley and wheat prices coming in at €220-€230/t. While this price increase is welcome, it's been largely offset by the surge in fertiliser, fuel, and plant protection costs.

The situation has left many tillage farmers struggling to make a profit, especially those renting land who are likely losing money. The decline of premium grains available to growers has also made things worse. Malting barley markets have declined, but ironically, farmers whose malting barley was rejected will actually get paid more to sell it as feed barley.

The co-op Centenary Co-op in Thurles stands out for offering the highest grain prices so far, with a price of €225/t for barley with bonuses. The co-op is producing a premium milk product using cows fed non-GM feed, Irish grain, and paying growers accordingly.