Grain growers can’t afford another year of losses

GRAIN growers have been advised to critically evaluate the cost of conacre in 2003, following their drop in income in 2002.

Latest Teagasc estimates put the fall in gross margins for the main crops, winter wheat and spring feeding barley at €93 per acre and €67 per acre, respectively. Jim O’Mahony, Chief Tillage Adviser, Teagasc, predicted last week that when Teagasc complete their analysis of farm management accounts, the outcome may be even worse.

Lower yields and price cuts combined to make 2002 one of the worst years ever for cereal farmers.