Farmers walking a tightrope

IFA’s recent request for an 80% advance of the Single Farm Payment seemed surprising, at first glance, in a year when cattle prices jumped 18%.

They wanted the €1.2bn of cheques sent out early, to help livestock farmers hit by increased expenses, REPS payment delays, and the banking credit crunch.

Prices may have increased, but it’s clear that most farmers are walking a tightrope of higher production cost, after paying 60% more this year for fertiliser, 23% more for fuel, 21% for livestock feedstuffs, and 11% more for seeds.