Bad weather and increased costs mean that farmers are facing a 30 per cent drop in incomes this year reducing approx �7000 of the average farm income, warns the IFA . This follows an excellent 2011 and will result in farm incomes dropping to 2010 values. In its pre budget submission the IFA is calling for no further cuts to farm schemes saying that Agriculture has taken disproportinate cuts for a sector that continues to retain jobs.
Feed cost increase in the region of 30% together with 30% increase in fertilizer prices and ongoing increases in diesel. The bad weather has also affected milk yields and weight gain in cattle. Prices of meal for the Pork and Chicken sector has risen 30 per cent world wide.
Winter Wheat and Barley yields are down 30% and maize yields and quality will be down according the IFA president John Byran
In reaching out to Goverment to support the growth potential of Farming the IFA estimates that the State provides �310 million in direct payments, which underpins a �24 billion industry of which �9 billion is exported.
Funding from state schemes are falling year on year and Mr Bryan points out there has been a 17 per cent fall last year and 40 per cent fall since the start of the recession.
He also pointed out that the budget of the Department of Agriculture was down 6 per cent last year, almost twice as much as other departments.