Irish tillage incomes are set to rise significantly in 2025, according to Teagasc director, Prof. Frank O’Mara.
He made this assertion while addressing the 2025 Teagasc National Tillage Conference this past week (Wednesday, January 29).
“The income projections are based on two factors that are outside growers’ control – the weather and international grain markets,” O’Mara said.
Teagasc figures confirm that the average income generated on tillage farms was €30,000. This figure was based on an average farm size of 65ha.
The projected figure for 2025 is expected to rise to €42,000. A key driver in this regard is the excellent ground and weather conditions that characterised last autumn.
“Winter cropping levels for the 2024/2025 season rose significantly relative to the previous year,” O’Mara continued.
“And winter crops have established well up to this point. Let’s just hope that the weather plays fair with tillage farmers over the coming months.”
2023/2024 tillage season
Reflecting on the 2023/2024 growing season, the Teagasc director referred to the spring planting season and the weather that followed as being the critical factors in salvaging what had been a very poor year for cereal growers up to that point.
“The cool summer conditions of 2024 provided spring crops with a long grain fill period, which helped to boost yields,” he continued.
“And the excellent harvest weather meant that crops were harvested in time and without stress.”
Looking ahead, Frank O’Mara noted the commitment made by the main parties making up the new government to deliver additional support for tillage over the coming years.
“Teagasc fully recognises the vital role played by the tillage sector within agriculture as a whole. And our research and advisory programmes will be developed to meet this need,” he continued.
“The expansion of the cropping sector remains a fundamental part of Ireland’s’ Climate Action Plan.
“This reflects the low carbon footprint of tillage. The current figures indicate that tillage enterprises generate 1.9t of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is much lower than other sectors.”
He said that Teagasc is committed to further quantifying this all important factor over the coming years. An example of this is the life cycle assessment research already underway.
This project will be undertaken with the support of Tirlán.
Conference delegates were told that tillage would be included within AgNav. The online platform provides farmers with support to identify mitigation strategies for their farm to deliver on climate action.
And, finally, turning to the Teagasc advisory service, Frank O’Mara confirmed that a trial is about to get underway which will see advisors segregated into two groups during the spring months – those dedicated to delivering technical advice on farm only, and those dedicated to all other matters.
“We are aware that farmers need access to technical advice at those busy times of the year. The new trial has been developed in response to this demand.”