All-time high for Irish farming

Eamonn Pitts finds reasons to be cheerful for almost all sectors of Irish farming at the Teagasc Rural Economy conference

AGRICULTURE is in a confident mood at present. Data which confirms such an outlook was presented at a conference organised by the Rural Economy research arm of Teagasc in Portlaoise last week. The margins per hectare for different enterprises were examined, with results for 2010, based on the National Farm Survey, and estimates for 2011.

These results generally indicate a return to 2008 levels of profitability (a good year) in 2010, with 2011 forecast margins at similar levels (improved in dairying). The data also shows quite how awful 2009 margins were for most enterprises. The percentage increases in margins look impressive, but predominantly reflect the lows of 2009. Average family farm income in 2010 is expected to show a 40% increase on 2009.