Press release
Tillage crop area remains steady
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
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 31st May showed that the overall area of tillage crops in 2024 (cereals, maize, OSR, protein crops and beet) is 334,450ha which is a reduction of approximately 1% from 2023.
Commenting on the figures, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., said:
“These crop area figures are positive given the various pressures that our tillage farmers have had to endure over the last two years. 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. This follows what was also a very difficult harvest year for tillage farmers in 2023.
“Despite the difficult backdrop, over the last four years, the overall crop area has increased by almost 21,000ha or 6%. 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. I am committed to the sector and its importance within the wider agricultural industry, and I want to put the sector on a firm footing into the future. To give confidence to farmers to plant this year, I announced in April I would seek to secure a €100/hectare payment for all farmers that plant field crops for the 2024 harvest.”
Wet weather in autumn 2023 reduced winter cereal plantings compared to normal. The figures show the area of winter cereals at approximately 94,000ha. This is approximately 70% of the 2019 – 2023 average of 132,000ha. 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 168,954ha this year and total cereal area to within 3% of last years total.
The Minister added:
“It was a very difficult autumn and spring for planting cereal crops with most spring planting much later than normal. 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 add 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 68,000ha in 2023 to 71,500ha in 2024. The area of protein crops (peas, beans, cereal/crop mix) has increased by 20% to over 21,000ha while maize area has also increased by 20% to over 23,000ha.
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 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.
The Minister concluded:
“I am a strong supporter of the tillage sector. I believe it has huge potential and I am committed to delivering on this potential. I provided significant additional support to the sector in 2023 as it was a difficult year. In 2024, this support continues through my commitment to seek a €100 per hectare payment for field crops planted for this year’s harvest. I was also very pleased to publish the Final Report of the Food Vision Tillage Group recently which sets out a roadmap to sustainably grow and develop this important and vital sector into the future. I have tasked my officials with putting a plan in place to oversee the implementation of the strategy.”
Figures on crop areas are based on 2024 BISS applications after the closing date for amendments on 31st May and can be found at: gov - BISS - Crop Areas (www.gov.ie)