Tillage sector ‘in crisis’ as IFA calls national meeting

The Irish Farmers’ Association has warned the tillage sector faces a “crisis point” and is urging all tillage farmers to attend a national meeting in Naas, Co. Kildare, on Friday, September 12th at 7.30pm.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon will address the meeting alongside IFA President Francie Gorman, IFA Grain Chair Kieran McEvoy, Teagasc tillage specialist Shay Phelan, and representatives from the Irish Grain Growers Group, Tillage Food Vision Group, and Tillage Industry Ireland.

“The situation in the tillage sector is critical. Many farmers are facing losses given current feed grain prices,” Gorman said. He added that government support is essential to prevent a collapse of the sector and called on the Minister to act before Budget 2026.

Kieran McEvoy said the meeting is a key opportunity to raise concerns directly with the Minister. “Tillage farmers cannot continue to make losses. We need support if the sector is to survive. Morale is at an all-time low despite a straightforward harvest,” he said.

The IFA will press the Minister to deliver on the Programme for Government’s commitment to invest in the tillage sector. McEvoy warned that without immediate action, parts of the sector could face irreversible decline.