Contractors’ costs revealed
Machine telematics are helping agricultural contractors identify their true costs, according to the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI).
“We now know that a high-output 10 acres per hour mowing combination will burn almost two litres of diesel per acre, while combination balers are burning close to two litres of diesel per bale,” said FCI national chair Richard White.
“Pumping slurry with umbilical pipe systems is power and fuel hungry, using up to 20 litres per hour, all at a time when rates for work and payment dates are under pressure,” he said.
“Larger self-propelled harvesters are using upwards of 12 litres per acre, so even with these modern and efficient machines, the fuel costs for silage making are significant, and far greater than many farmers will be aware of.”
“This is just one of a number of major issues that are impacting on the long term viability of silage making activities for many members,” said Mr White.
Labour is one of the other issues.
Mr White said, “Skilled machinery operators are being drawn back into the construction sector, and that is once again a huge challenge for us agricultural contractors, who can only offer seasonal driving opportunities.”
“If we don’t invest in reliable machinery, we cannot provide a quality service, at a fair price and with sensible payment plans, which is what we all, as contractors, aspire to,” said the FCI chairman.
“A set of quality tyres for a 150 horse power tractor costs upwards of €8,000, and that’s only one part of our investment as contractors in ensuring that we give a quality service to all our farming customers.”
“Diesel cost increases are running at more than 12% year-on-year, and these additional costs are also impacting on contractor profitability in 2017,” he said.
