IFA ‘con’ warning to grain growers

THE annual war of words between grain producers and processors has commenced with the Irish Farmers’ Association warning farmers “not to be conned”.

IFA National Grain Committee chairman, Colum McDonnell, warned growers not to be conned into taking low prices for grain this harvest, as the trade tries to talk down prices.

“There is a major concentrated effort by the trade to talk down prices and price expectations this harvest, with talks of a bumper harvest, carry over stocks and lack of storage availability”.

“Despite the increase in wheat sowings, the overall wheat tonnage is unlikely to exceed 900,000 tonnes leaving an import requirement for 400,000 to 500,000 tonnes of wheat. On the barley front the overall tonnage will be between 1.1 to 1.2 million tonnes, marginally up on last year. On the oat front, despite a large swing to winter the total acreage is marginally back on last season.”

Mr McDonnell said on the stocks front the carryover of old crop into the next season will be no higher than normal, as cereal inclusion rates in compound feed rations have increased in recent weeks.

He said wheat and barley has become more competitive as maize prices have moved out over €240/t collected ex store.

“In recent days there has been increased interest by livestock farmers ie purchasing grain for crimping or as green grain. Many farmers were disappointed with the performance of compound feed rations last winter as cereal inclusion rates were reduced dramatically.”