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Teagasc is predicting a rise in farm incomes on sheep and suckler farms this year.
Government supports will mean that suckler farmers should see their average incomes increase by 5% to €9,700, while sheep farmers will out-fox all other sectors in terms of percentage growth, with a 15% rise to €17,000 for 2020.
The rise in average sheep farming incomes has been helped by better prices, but even though the incomes have increased, they are still well below the CSO average industrial wage of roughly €38,000 per year.
Farming
Teagasc's latest assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on farming predicts that it will have a more limited influence than previously expected, as long as a second wave of the virus does not hit the country.
Government supports will mean that suckler farmers should see their average incomes increase by 5% to €9,700, while sheep farmers will out-fox all other sectors in terms of percentage growth
Across the board, sectors have benefited from reduced feeds bills, thanks to more normalised weather and lower fertiliser costs.
Other sectors also face challenges, with cattle finishers facing a 4% drop in their income, down to an average of €13,300.
Dairy farmers will see their incomes remain steady, around a forecasted €67,000.
Tillage
The most dire warning in the Teagasc prediction comes for tillage farmers. Adverse weather has meant that crops have been affected and the research body predicts that even with better forward prices for some crops, the average tillage farmer will still struggle to make €30,000 in 2020.
It has also warned that the volume of straw available will be down as well, which will worry farmers who need it for the winter housing season.
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