IFA warn against below-cost prices

As farmers make the most of the breaks in the wet weather to save the harvest, IFA Grain Committee chairman Paddy Harrington yesterday warned them not to be conditioned into accepting prices below the cost of production.

He said a number of major trade buyers are trying to condition growers into accepting low prices on the basis that potential yield increases (which may not yet materialise) will offset any drop in prices. “When growers do their sums, it will become quite evident that they will be financially worse off at the end of this harvest compared to 2003.”

Mr Harrington said last year most grain was harvested at moistures ranging from 14% to 17%, which added €7.50 to €10/tonne to the value of grain.