Costs and losses soar for embattled farming sector

Tillage and livestock farmers are facing huge financial losses due to the unprecedented rain and the recent widespread flooding.

Thousand of acres of both cereal ground and grassland are still under water this week and though conditions have improved, livestock producers and grain growers have incurred considerable additional costs as a result.

Although harvesting has restarted in some areas, farmers are facing a minimum loss of 5-10pc of crops, with the potential for up to 50pc losses if the improved weather conditions do not hold.

Crop harvesting is two weeks behind normal and a severe crisis in the sector is now looming.

Major problems with quality of seed, malting and milling crops have developed and many crops will be downgraded to feed quality as a result of the weather and delayed harvest.