The Irish Seed Trade Association (ISTA) is forecasting that there will be no shortage in spring barley seed produced by Irish growers for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was a key message delivered by the organisation\u2019s vice-president, Fred Lynch at the 2024 Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) cereal variety trials open day this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event, which was organised in association with ISTA, was held at Ballyderown Farm, near Kilworth in Co. Cork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis projection is based on the state of crops in the fields right now. And, obviously, a lot can happen between now and harvest,” Lynch continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut, assuming, we get decent weather over the coming weeks, there will be enough indigenous supplies of spring barley seed to meet the needs of Irish growers next year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile DAFM is confirming that Ireland\u2019s tillage area in 2024 is on a par with that of last year. This is despite a significant fall-off in the area of winter cereals sown out last back end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAFM\u2019s head of division for crop policy, evaluation and certification, Barry O\u2019Reilly, spoke at the variety trials open day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He confirmed that the prolonged period of very wet weather since last summer resulted in significant challenges for tillage farmers in getting crops harvested for the 2024 harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe area of winter cereal crops is approximately 70% of the five-year average, taking account of the period 2019 to 2023,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cMost planting of spring cereals took place later than normal. This follows what was a very challenging year for growers in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDespite these challenges, the overall area of dedicated to crop production has remained relatively stable. This is a testament to the commitment and resilience of growers and of the entire tillage sector,” he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food and feed security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to O\u2019Reilly, the tillage sector is an important and integral component of Ireland\u2019s agri-food industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is important in increasing food and feed security while also contributing to our climate change objectives,” he continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThe Food Vision Tillage Group was established last year to set a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 400,000ha by 2030.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n