Potential Impacts loss of chlorothalonil may have on cereal production

An evaluation of the potential impact the loss of chlorothalonil may have on the productivity of winter wheat and spring and winter barley grown in Ireland

Download Publication (PDF)

The report determines:

• Where chlorothalonil is not available this report estimates the most likely scenario for e-Profit Monitor farmers is an average Net Margin reduction of over 50% in wheat and 65% in barley, with growers achieving national average yields at or just above break even. Figures are based on the Teagasc e-Profit Monitor 2016-2017. 
• Cereal production will only be economic on the highest yielding sites with low costs of production as the risks of economic loss will increase dramatically on other sites. 
• Irish growers will lose competitiveness as it is anticipated that other regions outside Ireland will not suffer the same losses, and consequently grain prices will not rise in Ireland to offset yield losses. 
• In the medium term the introduction of new fungicides will be welcome and increase disease control options, however in the absence of chlorothalonil a more rapid loss of efficacy of these fungicides is expected due to high disease pressure.