Year 2000 income rises to 1995 level
Year 2000 income rises to 1995 level
IRISH farm incomes staged a 27% recovery in 2000 to average Ir£11,500 (£9130) a unit, according to recent figures from the Teagasc state advisory service.
That takes incomes back to levels in 1995, reflecting last years higher prices and increased direct aid payments in the cattle sector.
The annual survey shows about 47,000 farmers had incomes over Ir£10,000 (£7940), though 50,000 earned less than Ir£5000 (£3970). "The vast bulk of these had other sources of income, social welfare or pension," says the report.
Tillage took over from dairying as the highest income earner in 2000, with an average Ir£23,700 (£18,810), due to record yields. Beef producers, while achieving a 40% improvement in their incomes, still earned just Ir£6000 (£4760) a unit.
The Irish Farmers Association points out farm incomes are only 63% of the industrial average. *