Farms in south and east sell far more produce, research shows

Farmers in the south and east sell far more produce than their counterparts in other areas of the country, according to new research.

The Farm Structure Survey 2013 reveals farms in the Border, midland and western region have an average annual standard output of €23,013 - less than half of the €50,303 average figure for farms in the southern and eastern region.

The survey, published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), appraises average standard output for farms, which reflects sales of farm produce.

Farms in the southeast of the country registered extremely positive returns with a standard output of almost €63,000 for 2013 - over four times the equivalent figure for farms in the west which stood at a comparatively low €15,321.

Farmers’ groups have previously been critical of the widening income gap which has become evident between dairy farmers and those with suckler cows in particular, but this latest CSO report illustrates the stark differences aligned to geographical location as well as livestock profile.

‘Significant concern’

Responding to the findings, Irish Farmers' Association economist Kevin Kilcline said the issue of low revenue among drystock and suckler beef farmers is causing "significant concern" within the sector.

“The reality is that for certain sectors the low-income situation on drystock farms is of significant concern.

“When you look at drystock farms, the real issue for it is that they’re heavily reliant on single farm payments and direct payment supports. They’ve been making an average market loss over a number of years,” said Mr Kilcline, whose organisation represents many of the country’s drystock farmers along with some dairy farmers.

The research found almost 80 per cent of Ireland’s 1.16 million-strong dairy herd are in the southern and eastern region, while the west is noted for its specialist sheep farms, and Border areas maintain a strong association with pig and poultry farming.

Farmers in the Border, midland and western region have smaller farms on average, and almost 60 per cent of the 30,000 farms with the lowest standard output (below €4,000) were located in that area.

In contrast, three-quarters of farms with standard output of €50,000 or more were in the southern and eastern region.

Resilience during recession

The Farm Structure Survey, which also tracks the period between 2010 and 2013, indicates the farming sector remained relatively resilient during the years following Ireland’s economic collapse.

The number of farms nationwide, which stood at nearly 1.4 million in 2013, remained “relatively stable” between 2010 and 2013, according to the authors, and the overall average standard output increased by 16.9 per cent from €30,726 to €35,912.

Beef production remains by far the largest farming sector, accounting for 56.5 per cent of total businesses, with dairy and sheep farming the next largest at 11.2 per cent and 10.7 per cent respectively.