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As much as 20% of the straw crop remains to be baled, according to Teagasc director Gerry Boyle.
His estimate, shared with members of the Oireachtas agriculture committee as they continue to deliberate the state of the tillage sector, highlights the volume of work remaining.
While the straw crop is valuable, at this stage many tillage farmers will be primarily concerned with clearing it to allow autumn cultivation and planting to progress.
Some good weather at the start of the week has allowed some field work.
The harvest is almost over outside the northwest, with the exception of beans which are being whittled away, albeit at fairly high moisture levels.
Teagasc’s Michael Hennessy said that 650 acres are needed to make a living from tillage farming. In answer to a direct question at the Oireachtas agriculture committee meeting,
Hennessy said that taking into account the capacity of one person to effectively run a tillage operation, the range was from 200ha to 400ha. “I would lean towards the higher figure,” he said. IOFGA’s Gillian Westbrook said that there is a deficit of supply of organic tillage crops.
20% of straw left to bale in Ireland - Teagasc
Tillage farmers need at least 650ac to make a living
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