A survey conducted by the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has found that contractors have less fertiliser and less slurry applied for the year-to-date in 2026, when compared with the same period of 2025.

It notes that two out of three farm contractors have seen a reduction in the amount of fertiliser they have spread, with one in four contractors having spread 100t less of fertiliser than last year.

Meanwhile, it notes that one in three contractors have spread 450,00l less slurry this year.

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The association said it is keen to stress to the Irish agricultural sector and wider public that it is not just high fuel prices that are affecting the sector this year. Drought conditions have seen a reduction in hours of work for most farm contracting activities during the summer months.

It said that unusual growing conditions have disrupted normal silage and slurry-management patterns.

Allowing additional spreading days, where appropriate conditions exist, would support further grass growth by allowing nutrients to be utilised, while grass is still growing, in turn facilitating an additional autumn silage cut, thus reducing pressure on farmers as the winter housing period approaches.

FCI response

FCI said its findings of a reduction in fertiliser and slurry spread is just another hit, in a long line of hits throughout 2026, that the sector has suffered. Having written to Government this month requesting a temporary extension of the slurry spreading period, FCI believes that a similar temporary extension should be introduced for fertiliser application where ground, weather conditions and grass growth allow, and when there is no risk to waterways. FCI managing director Ann Gleeson Hanrahan said: “Exceptional times call for an exceptional response, but so far Government have made no commitment of further supports for the sectors most affected by the summer of drought and the ongoing fuel crisis.

“Contractors are not demanding a free-for-all on slurry spreading. We are asking Government to recognise that the weather and ground conditions this year are exceptional and to prepare a mechanism by which slurry could be spread beyond 1 October, if the weather and ground conditions are suitable.”