Higher silage costs ahead

Irish silage makers are expected to be paying more for diesel, plastic film and netwrap, as well as facing increased labour costs.

HIGHER diesel, plastic film and netwrap prices, and rising labour expenses will hit silage makers this year, warns Sean O’Connor, Managing Director of Irish Polythene Agri, the biggest supplier of stretch film, netwrap and silage covers in Ireland.

He says increased economic activity in China and Eastern Europe has pushed up oil prices and raw material costs for their products, and any stocks of stretch film at 2004 prices had all been used up.