The Irish Grain Growers Group has called on co-ops and merchants to back Irish tillage farmers and come out with grain harvest prices that show financial support in such a difficult harvest.

“It’s the best and only way that matters to farmers,” chair of the IGG Bobby Miller said.

Reports of prices at the €148/t mark from merchants do not “reflect the market and is extremely disappointing that they have let down their farmers in this manner,” Miller told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“I’d encourage farmers to shop around and consider where they do business into the future, before they start planting for the new season. Forward prices will be available, do business with those offering the most,” he said.