Posted on April, 3, 2025 at 05:44 pm
Irish Grain Growers Group (IGGG) representative, Bobby Miller, has characterised the spring of 2025 as a perfect planting season.
Miller told Agriland: “Growers have been able to get crops drilled early, working in soil conditions that can only be described as excellent.
“Many crops are now germinating with encouraging plant numbers. In my own case, spring barley crops are already up above ground well and looking well.”
And, its an equally positive story to tell where winter crops are concerned. Last back-end saw Miller sowing crops of winter barley, oilseed rape and oats.
“All the winter crops are looking well at the present time. All field work requirements were carried out on time and crops have responded accordingly,” he continued.
“There is tremendous yield potential in all the winter and spring crops that have been established over recent weeks and months. But no one can predict the weather ahead,” he added.
According to the IGGG representative, three criteria must be fulfilled to allow tillage farmers secure a sustainable livelihood – good weather, good yields and good prices.
“Up to now, two of these drivers have been working in farmers’ favour. But grain prices remain more than challenging.
“This is particularly disappointing given that milk, meat and all other farm gate prices have been so positive over the last number of months.
“Adding to the pressure on tillage margins are the stubbornly high costs associated with all the key inputs required to grow crops successfully: fertiliser, fuel and machinery,” Miller explained.
The 2025 Teagasc Costs and Returns figures for the tillage sector confirm that all outlays associated with machinery continue to rise significantly.
Miller said that while there is currently a perfect planting season for tillage farmers, future conditions may not be as fortunate for them.
“Uncertainty reigns supreme, where the future of international grain markets is concerned. The impact of tariffs introduced by the Trump administration in the United States is another factor that must be factored in.
“Early indications point to many parts of Europe looking forward to excellent yields of grains in 2025. But all of this could change between now and harvest, depending on the weather that comes our way over the coming months.”
Meanwhile, recent weeks have seen IGGG representatives interacting with other stakeholders on a range of key issues for the tillage sector, including that of water quality.
“IGGG representatives met recently met with Teagasc director, Prof. Frank O’Mara, in what turned out to be a very productive get-together,” Miller said.
Source: Agriland