THE NEW Irish Farmers' Association leader was in County Wexford last week to rally his Model troops. Kilkenny man John Bryan took over twothirds of the Wexford vote in the recent presidential election, so he came to the farm centre in Ennsicorthy to say thank-you.

He attended the annual general meeting of the county I.F.A. organisation as Ger Lyons from Craanford was returned for another year as chairman. The members present at the a.g.m. also gave secretary Liam O'Byrne from Tagoat and treasurer John Fitzgerald from Rathgarogue further terms in office as there was no change at the top table in the elections.

As the meeting reviewed the agricultural scene, much of the debate was spent in dismal review of the prospects facing grain growers. With Europe's grain silos full and prices predicted to remain low, many acres are likely to remain under grass rather than corn in 2010.

'Farmers may well pull back from sowing grain, especially feed grain,' forecast Ger Lyons who expects much land to remain idle during the year to come.

Wexford is well represented in the higher ranks of the I.F.A., with J.J. Kavanagh from New Ross the current national treasurer, while Michael Doran from Duncormick represents beef farmers on the national executive.