Tillage area decreases by 20% due to weather, poor market conditions

THE total tillage area in Ireland has reduced by 20% this year compared with that sown in 2008 due to difficult weather and poor market conditions, Teagasc revealed yesterday at its Tillage Open Day at Knockbeg Research Farm, Carlow.

Farmers attending also heard how recent market conditions have placed great strain on the sector and despite some positive signs over the past few weeks the recent collapse in barley prices is a source of big disappointment.

Head of the Teagasc Crops Research Centre Professor Jimmy Burke said those in the tillage sector now have a chance to make business decisions uninfluenced by subsidies and must respond to market signals if they are to prevent losing money.