Huge concern as Longford and Midlands farmers income has fallen dramatically

Farming income in Longford and other Midland counties plummeted sharply in 2023 according to the latest set of figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Recently published Regional Agricultural Accounts show that the region's operating surplus fell by 39%, a drop of €128million to €202m in the 12-months to December 2023.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurial income for farmers fell by 54% in the Midlands, which includes Longford, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, to €123million during the same period.

Longford IFA chairperson John Sheridan stated the figures are very concerning.

"We also have to take it in context that we are down from a high income in 2022," he said. "Our biggest problem with the whole thing is that our costs did not come down with the prices we were getting."

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Mr Sheridan, who has a family farm in Firmount, Edgeworthstown, stated the price of fuel, feed and fertiliser has soared in recent years.

"The high cost of doing business in this country, no matter what you do, is an issue," he said. "It was never easy to make a living but it's getting more difficult and the most worrying aspect of the whole thing is who is going to take over and who is the next farmer?"

Mr Sheridan estimates about four-fifths of farmers now have a second job.

"There is a great attraction and the love of the land but the younger generation see nothing but hard work and little income out of it," he added.

The CSO said the Midlands region is the second smallest agricultural-producing region, generating just 10% of the State’s output.

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The statisticians add that it has the second highest dependency on cattle and pigs for its output, with cattle generating a third of its agricultural output at basic prices and pigs a further 10%.

The CSO calculates that just 19% of the value of its output comes from crops, with cereals generating 3%.

Agricultural output at basic prices dropped by 11% (a fall of €141m) to €1.2bn in the twelve months to December 2023, while the value of cattle fell by 1% (down €3million) to €388m and sheep 13% or €3m to €20m.

Elsewhere, milk contracted by 30% (down €137million) to €323million.

The value of crops remained relatively static despite a 53% or €40million drop in cereal values, while potato values grew by 34% (up €1million) to €4million and fresh vegetables were up 5% or €1million to €15million.

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Dairy beef and tillage farmer and agricultural contractor Phil Stewart said he was not surprised by the figures.

"I know the price of milk had come way back on the price in 2022 and I do not think there was much of a difference in relation to livestock figures but input costs have went up," he added.

Mr Stewart believes there are less cattle around with an increase in older cattle as the older generation of farmers are starting to scale down or move into alternative agricultural areas.