Tillage sector 'at breaking point' - future 'holds no promise at all'

A field flooded with water last October where winter wheat should have been planted only for the very wet conditions on the lands of tillage farmer Dick Fitzgerald, Loughane, East Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

There is a “deepening crisis” on farms due to the persistent wet weather and while all sectors are suffering, the Irish Farmers’ Association has warned that tillage is at “breaking point”.

Farmers are unable to plant and sow their crops so far this year, and this follows a “horrendous” harvest last year where they incurred big losses, IFA president Francie Gorman has said.