Drystock farmers are most likely to sell their land in 2019, a report has found. The findings are part of the annual Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)/Teagasc Agricultural Land Market Review and Outlook Report 2019.

According to the study, 60% of respondents think that drystock farmers will be the type of farmer that is more likely to part with their holdings this coming year.

The report also focused on land mobility issues within the agricultural sector as well as land prices and supply. It concluded that land values have risen in 2018 to €9,910/ac, up 12% from 2017 values, noting restricted supply as a major contributing factor to this. It also cited long-term leasing as a more popular choice for landowners in 2018.

Miah McGrath of SCSI and auctioneer in Munster said that: “The low level of sale transactions in the land market is one of the main reasons why long-term leasing is becoming a popular solution for landowners who no longer have a desire to farm all or a portion of the farm.

“When rare opportunities arise for expanding the farm or buying neighbouring land that has come to market, demand can quickly result in higher prices. Land values are not always directly correlated with farm profits.”

The report was launched at the RDS/Teagasc Land Mobility Seminar last week.

Land Report

The Irish Farmers Journal Land Report, published in March outlined that land prices were steady in 2018, with the average price €9,088/ac, virtually the same as the year previous when values stood at €9,091/ac.