Succession crisis looms as 676 farmers exit tillage sector, Macra warns

Macra na Feirme president raises concern about a succession crisis following the exit of 676 farmers from the tillage sector this year alone

A total of 676 farmers have exited the tillage sector in 2026, according to department figures.

Following the exit of 676 farmers from the tillage sector this year alone, an urgent call has been raised to make the sector viable and attractive to the next generation.

Figures from the department show that 676 farmers exited tillage production in 2026, with the number of farmers growing tillage crops falling from 11,440 in 2025 to 10,764 this year. The area under tillage has also fallen to an estimated 344,675 ha.

Macra national president Josephine O’Neill said the stark figures should be a wake-up call for Government.

“At the current rate of decline, if 676 farmers were to leave the sector every year, Ireland would have no tillage farmers left within 16 years. While such a straight-line decline is unlikely, it just goes to show the urgency of the crisis tillage farmers are facing.” 

The sector figures are framed by a difficult growing season in 2026, with the year starting off wet before later being hit by a prolonged drought period. While harvest conditions themselves were generally good, the combination of weather conditions meant crops did not reach their full potential.

Continuing, Ms O’Neill said: “The Government has set an ambitious target of 400,000 hectares of tillage by 2030, yet we are seeing more farmers moving out of the sector… 

"Budget 2027’s €54m package for tillage is welcome, including €30m for the Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme, €14m for the Straw Incorporation Measure and €10m for Protein Aid. However, support alone will not solve the underlying problem if farmers cannot see a viable market and a future for their farm business.” 

Ms O’Neill said the future of the sector must be considered if farmers are exiting tillage in their hundreds.

“Succession is not simply an issue for dairy, beef and sheep farms — it is an issue for tillage too,” she said.

The organisation believes stronger markets for Irish grain are essential to securing the future of tillage.

Macra’s recent work on the Irish Whiskey Technical File highlighted the opportunity to strengthen the connection between Ireland’s world-renowned drinks industry and Irish tillage farms. 

The Department’s consultation itself recognised the potential to promote native grains in Irish whiskey production.

Need to stimulate demand for Irish grain

“We need to create more demand for Irish grain. That means looking beyond the farm gate and examining how we can increase the use of native grain in whiskey, food production, and animal feed,” Ms O’Neill said.

Macra has called for Irish merchants and feed manufacturers to increase the inclusion of native Irish grain in animal feedstuffs.

“We produce high-quality grain here, yet imported feed ingredients continue to compete directly with Irish growers,” Ms O’Neill added.

The recent sod-turning at Slaney Flour Mills in Co Wexford highlights the importance of developing domestic markets for Irish grain. With Ireland importing an estimated €100m worth of flour annually, the new facility presents an opportunity to use more locally sourced grain and create additional demand for Irish tillage farmers.

The organisation stresses that the future of tillage cannot be secured by annual payments alone, but requires a combination of targeted financial support, stronger domestic markets and a clear pathway for the next generation to take over viable tillage enterprises.

Macra believes the situation can improve with targeted support for young tillage farmers to improve the attractiveness of the sector as a career path for young people to pursue.