Floods to 'put an end to the salvage effort that was harvest 2023'
"There will be crops around the country that simply won’t be harvested this year. What has been collected has largely been of lower quality and yields in many parts, meaning little or no returns for cereal growers."
The Government has been urged to provide targeted financial support "to tillage farmers most in need".
Irish Farmers' Association grain committee chairman Kieran McEvoy said that the rainfall "has been relentless" throughout 2023 and has made for a "very challenging year" on all tillage farrms.
"However, an initial IFA survey through our national grain committee shows a number of growers, particularly in the south and south-east of the country, still have unharvested spring cereals remaining in fields," McEvoy said.
"IFA analysis shows the potential losses per hectare for an unharvested spring cereal crop grown on rented land could exceed €2,200 per hectare, with a salvaged crop potentially losing up to €1,700 per hectare."
Mr McEvoy described the financial implications for growers caught in these circumstances as "extremely serious".
"The €8m funding announced for the tillage sector in Budget 2024 is very modest," he added.
"The only way it can make a difference is to target it towards tillage farmers who have lost most or all of their crops in this very difficult year."
IFA president Tim Cullinan in recent days has called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to support the farm families whose homes, lands, and/or farmyards have been impacted by the unprecedented deluge of rainfall that has hit many parts of the south and south-west.
"The minister needs to act quickly to ease the emotional and financial strain on impacted farm families. This is the last thing farmers needed this year," Mr Cullinan said.
"Many have already been stretched due to delayed farm payments and falling output prices. They are facing significant added expense as a result of the recent flooding."
Mr Cullinan said farmers are facing increased operational pressures to rehouse stock in drier locations; dealing with fodder stocks underwater/destroyed; and land sown for cereals where the crop has been washed away.
The IFA president also appealed to the banks "to take a flexible and understanding approach as farmers grapple with very difficult conditions".
With rainfall expected to continue, "this will only add to the pressure that farmers are experiencing as they work to keep their livestock safe", Mr Cullinan said.
"There will be crops around the country that simply won’t be harvested this year. What has been collected has largely been of lower quality and yields in many parts, meaning little or no returns for cereal growers.
"Increased targeted interventions are needed."
