Crop area has increased over last four years despite 'difficult backdrop'
That Farmers Given Pressures These Endure Years "positive" Had Have Two Over The Various Figures Tillage To Are The Last
The overall crop area has increased by almost 21,000 hectares or 6% over the last four years, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed.
Figures on tillage crop areas for 2024 show that the overall tillage area has remained relatively stable.
Applications to the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) after the closing date for amendments on May 31 showed that the overall area of tillage crops in 2024 (cereals, maize, OSR, protein crops and beet) is 334,450 hectares which is a reduction of approximately 1% from 2023.
These figures are "positive" given the various pressures that tillage farmers have had to endure over the last two years, Mr McConalogue said.
"The prolonged period of very wet weather since last autumn gave rise to significant challenges for tillage farmers in getting crops planted for this year’s harvest," the minister said.
"This follows what was also a very difficult harvest year for tillage farmers in 2023.
"It is Government policy to increase our tillage area as we know that a vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is hugely important in increasing our food and feed security while also contributing to our climate change objectives."
In April, Mr McConalogue said he would seek to secure a €100 per hectare payment for all farmers that plant field crops for the 2024 harvest.
Wet weather in autumn last year reduced winter cereal plantings compared to normal.
The figures show the area of winter cereals at approximately 94,000 hectares.
This is approximately 70% of the 2019–2023 average of 132,000 hectares.
However, the reduction in winter cereal area was made up somewhat with an increase of approximately 10% in spring cereals bringing the spring cereal area to 168,954 hectares this year and total cereal area to within 3% of last year's total.
“It was a very difficult autumn and spring for planting cereal crops with most spring planting much later than normal," Mr McConalogue continued.
"While the overall cereal area is down, it is encouraging to see the area of non-cereal crops increase by 5%. Increasing the area of non-cereal crops adds to the diversity and sustainability of our cropping system.”
The area of non-cereal crops (protein crops, beet, maize and oilseed rape) in 2024 has increased from approximately 68,000 hectares in 2023 to 71,500 hectares in 2024.
The area of protein crops (peas, beans, cereal/crop mix) has increased by 20% to over 21,000 hectares while maize area has also increased by 20% to over 23,000 hectares.
The results of the recent fodder survey carried out by Teagasc indicate that 25% to 30% of dairy and drystock farmers currently have fodder deficits exceeding 10%.
The Department of Agriculture said that sourcing of whole crop cereal silage and other forage crops from tillage farmers can be an effective way of increasing the supply of fodder along with making more grass silage.
Livestock farmers are also encouraged to engage with tillage farmers to book straw early to ensure sufficient supplies for feeding and bedding. While overall straw yields are expected to be higher than 2023, stocks are depleted from last year.
