Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is his estimate of the cost of producing one tonne of barley, one tonne of potatoes, and one tonne of grass silage in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. DunnCosts of production vary widely from farm to farm depending on the yield of crop per hectare, the extent of crop area, whether the farmer has his own machinery or employs a contractor and whether he owns or rents the land. Moreover, on most farms, these crops form only part of the farming activities168W and the apportionment of substantial farm overhead costs must be made arbitrarily. However, costs this year on most farms will probably fall within the following ranges:
Barley per tonne Ware potatoes per tonne Grass silage per tonne £49 to £85 £36 to £60 £6 to £10