Farmers question logic of growing grain sold for ‘less than cost of production’

THE majority of grain growers are questioning the logic of growing a crop this year, the Irish Farmers’ Association has claimed.

Grain committee chairman Noel Delaney said the current forward price for grain this coming harvest would not cover the cost of production unless prices significantly increased, input costs were reduced dramatically and exceptional yields achieved.

Growers experienced losses of up to €150 per acre last season. High world and EU carryover grain stocks into the 2010/11 campaign will limit any prospect of a significant price rise.