20 SEPTEMBER 2017

ICSA president Patrick Kent has said he is extremely worried about the viability of the tillage sector. “The Government, in conjunction with the tillage sector, must prioritise devising a strategy to make a viable future for tillage farming in Ireland.”

Mr Kent said that the key elements will include more use of native ingredients in livestock rations, a re-examination of the case for sugar beet, support for energy crops across Europe and closer links between livestock farmers and tillage farmers.

“Cheap grain is no good for anybody as it leads to downward pressure on meat prices. We also need sufficient tillage farmers to provide adequate amounts of straw for the livestock sector. ICSA also believes that a much tougher line will have to be taken in relation to the malting sector.”

To ensure the voice of tillage farmers is heard loud and clear ICSA will today officially launch a tillage committee at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore. The event will commence at 2.30pm and will take the form of a panel discussion followed by a question and answers session. Panellists for the occasion will be Darragh Cleary – 2016 Tillage farmer of the year, David Shortall from Quinn’s of Baltinglass and tillage farmer Seamus Duggan.

The ICSA stand is located on Block 2, Row 13, Stand 294. All are welcome to attend.

ENDS