Irish income to fall in 2009

TOTAL farm income in Ireland is likely to fall in 2009, according to Teagasc economists Trevor Donnellan and Kevin Hanrahan.

In 2008 high commodity prices, an increase in the milk quota and the introduction of the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme, will mean farmers will not see a dramatic reduction on the record income level in 2007, even though input prices for feed and fertiliser have risen considerably.

There was little sign of prices for the main inputs — feed, fertiliser and fuel — falling, and output prices were under pressure.