Irish Tillage Sector Hit by Poor Yields and Rising Input Costs

The Irish tillage sector is experiencing economic pressures due to poor yields and rising input costs. According to Teagasc's initial analysis, yields were the main contributor to tight margins recorded by farmers following harvest 2026.

This year saw a €20/t increase in grain prices, but this was not enough to offset the impact of drought on crops. Teagasc tillage specialist Shay Phelan pointed out that while spring barley yielded moderately well in some areas, other crops suffered significantly due to the drought.

Winter oilseed rape has been a success story for Irish tillage over the past two years, thanks to strong prices and moderate yields. However, rotation restrictions may limit additional planting opportunities for the crop in certain regions.

Phelan warned that early planting of winter cereals comes with risks and additional costs, including the threat of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV). While using disease-tolerant varieties or insecticides can help mitigate these risks, they do not offer full insurance cover against BYDV.