figures are recorded at harvested moisture contents. Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) and Take-All impacted on winter
barley yield in southern and coastal counties. But, overall, average winter barley yield was only 0.22t/ha below the 5 year average yield of 8.9t/ha with the figure reflecting higher yielding crops in other parts of the country. The yields and quality of straw were excellent this season due to the
harvest weather; as a consequence, straw was saved without additional cost. The straw market was back slightly on 2021 but Ireland’s Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) was very successful with a very high level of uptake recorded for the scheme. It is estimated that the winter cereal area for 2023 has fallen back
by in excess of 30,000 ha. This is a direct result of the unfavourable weather conditions during the autumn period. However, the area of winter oilseed rape is estimated to have
increased to 19,000 ha due to a combination of an early finish to the harvest, planting opportunities in late August and a strong market for oilseeds.
IRELAND’S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN 2023 Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has welcomed the launch of the Climate Action Plan 2023.
The actions for agriculture in this plan provide a viable pathway to
achieve a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for agriculture by 2030. These actions are in line with achieving a 51% reduction in Ireland’s overall GHG emissions by 2030, and net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Minister McConalogue said: “This all-of-government plan commits
every sector, including agriculture, to strong climate action. In agriculture, the focus is on reducing nitrogen and methane emissions, while increasing carbon capture and storage and contributing in a positive way to the decarbonisation of the energy system. “We need to accelerate progress through reduced application
of nitrogen based fertilisers, replacing them with protected urea and reducing the age of cattle finishing. I recognise that achieving this ambition will not be without its challenges and that significant and transformational change will be required. “I am confident that farmers and fishers will rise to this challenge,
to ensure that Irish agriculture is leading the way for environmentally sustainable food production within a global marketplace.” The Minister continued: “The protection and enhancement of our
sustainable food production system, while ensuring that agriculture plays its part in climate change mitigation, has been a priority for
this government. I am committed to delivering on the three pillars of sustainability in agriculture: environmental, societal and, crucially, economic. “I am confident that farmers and fishers will embrace this challenge
which will require continued engagement and proactive action amongst all of our farmers. “Diversification opportunities like anaerobic digestion, forestry and
tillage will also provide opportunities for farmers who wish to consider alternative income sources.” The minister concluded: “Irish farmers are incredibly committed
to ensuring that they farm in a sustainable way. This commitment will contribute to a vibrant rural economy for generations to come. Irish farmers are innovative, resilient and already committed to working together to find solutions in the face of this enormous challenge. “Farmers have been on a journey towards becoming more
sustainable for many years. We are now stepping up that ambition. We want to ensure that there is a bright and sustainable future for our farm families for this and subsequent generations.”
CLIMATE CHANGE: GOVERNMENT MUST ENGAGE POSITIVELY WITH FARMERS Reacting to the publication of the government’s Climate Action Plan, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president Tim Cullinan said there’s a lot of further engagement needed with farmers to ensure we can reduce emissions while developing our sector. He said: “The world needs more food and Irish farmers are well
placed to produce food in an environmentally efficient manner. We are committed to reducing emissions but it cannot be at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods or by reducing output. “When we met the Minister for Agriculture last week, we made it
clear that IFA is willing to engage further to try and find agreement around a Climate Action Plan for the sector which can continue to facilitate the sustainable development of our sector.” Cullinan continued: “The debate has become unnecessarily divisive
with far too much focus on cattle numbers. The focus must be on reducing emissions, not on reducing cattle numbers. “The issue is that the government could do real damage to our
sector to meet a short-term target when technological advancements could well to help us achieve our 2030 targets. The government needs to invest in R&D to activate these technologies.” The IFA president concluded: “The European Union has already
approved a product which significantly reduces methane emissions from livestock. We need to expedite already promising research on how this and other products can be delivered in a grass-based system.”
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Alltech.com/ireland AlltechNaturally @Alltech Sarney | Summerhill Road | Dunboyne | Co. Meath FEED COMPOUNDER JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 PAGE 21
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