Green Pages Feed Trade Topics from the Island of Ireland
NIGTA PUTS A CLEAR FOCUS ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS The Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) is highlighting the role now being played by feed compounders in Northern Ireland to reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. According to the organisation’s CEO Gill Gallagher, the global
population has grown by one billion people in just over a decade, with the planet now supporting a total population of eight billion. As a result, there is a need to not only feed, but also properly nourish
this growing population sustainably, whilst striving to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. World leaders gathered at the end of last year in the Egyptian coastal
city of Sharm el-Sheikh for the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 27. Prior to the event, the United Nations Environment Programme
warned that urgent action is needed to be able to limit global warming to 1.5°C, whilst the floods that devastated parts of Pakistan and heat waves that spread across Europe are a stark reminder of the threats posed by a changing climate. Gallagher added: “Earlier this year, Northern Ireland agreed its first ever Climate Change Act. “This sets a legally-binding Net Zero target and requires net methane
emissions to be reduced by 46% by 2050 compared to the 1990 baseline year. As we await a new policy roadmap of actions to achieve these targets, it is clear that research and innovation in both mitigation and adaptation will be needed alongside professional advice.” According to Gallagher, the feed industry has been leading the way
in providing quality nutritional and feeding advice to farming customers on how to increase productivity, improve efficiency and enhance animal health to help reduce GHG and other environmental emissions. Around 130 local sales and advisory personnel are members of the Feed Adviser Register (FAR). This approach provides continuous professional development to
ensure members are up to date with current issues related to whole farm feed planning, nutrition, health, welfare and fertility, and environmental policies. There is also a module for FAR members, which focuses on the environmental issues that are pertinent to Northern Ireland. This training will be updated to ensure the content is relevant and reflects current policy, best practice, and scientific advancements. Gill Gallagher again: “A multi-faceted tool kit is needed to help
lower emissions. The future agricultural policy makes provision for the development of an industry-led ruminant genetics’ programme. “This will encourage the breeding of more environmentally efficient cattle, while better farm management, nutrient management planning and
PAGE 20 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 FEED COMPOUNDER
improved grassland management all have a key part to play.” She added: “From a feed perspective, the industry is focused on
precision nutrition to increase production efficiency and reduce emissions by supplying the correct nutrients required to support the nutritional requirements of the animals being fed. “Reducing the risk from anti-nutritional factors such as mycotoxins
is also important. This has been greatly aided by our world leading Food Fortress surveillance programme. In addition, paying close attention to how the feed is delivered and minimising wastage is essential. “All of these initiatives are considered best practice and not only contribute to lower emissions but also enhance profitability.” Significant levels of publicity have been given to the development
and use of methane suppressing feed additives in ruminant diets as a means of driving methane reductions even further. Gill Gallagher concluded: “Some of these products have been
proven to reduce methane by up to 30% without any negative impact on performance. Further research is ongoing to establish how to optimise their use in pasture-based systems. The widespread uptake of methane reducing feed products is likely to be dependent on the financial return to be gained from using them, either in terms of some form of proven production benefit or supply chain incentive scheme.”
TEAGASC: HARVEST REPORT 2022 Teagasc has recently published its harvest overview for 2022. It confirms that total cereal production in Ireland increased by 4% in 2022 to 2.42 million tonnes. There was an overall increase in the tillage area with the cereal
acreage increasing by 4.3%. Winter oilseed rape increased by 45% and the total area of beans, including winter bean crops, was 11.5% higher than 2021. The Teagasc figures also confirm that 2022 was a record year, in terms of yield, for spring barley, winter oilseed rape and spring oats. The average spring barley yield in 2022 was 8.1t/ha, which is the
highest recorded yield for the crop. The figure surpasses the previous record of 8.0t/ha in 2019 and the 7.9t/ha recorded in both 2019 and 2021.
A record yield of 5.1t/ha was recorded in winter oilseed rape, which is 0.6t/ha above the 5-year average. The average yield of spring oats was 7.9t/ha, which is the highest
crop yield recorded. It exceeds the previous record of 7.7t/ha set in both 2021 and 2019. The average yield of winter wheat was 11.0t/ha, which equals the previous wheat record set in 2015. Weather conditions at harvest were excellent and all crops were harvested at lower than average moisture content. The Teagasc yield
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
