and reporting on market data will help bring transparency to what is a broken system. “But without a food regulator who has the power to ensure a


fair price, farmers remain to be convinced how they will benefit from the long-promised Office of Fairness and Transparency and Food Regulator. The amended Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022 was recently debated by members of the Irish parliament The IFA President said is organisation had submitted several


proposals regarding the bill. While some recommendations were included, such as increased penalties for offences, many others were not.


NIGTA HIGHLIGHTS THE BENEFITS OF A BACK-TO- BASICS APPROACH FOR FARMING Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) chief executive officer, Gill Gallagher, is urging farmers to make best use of all crop nutrients as part of a back-to basics approach to farming. And this is particularly the case where slurry and farmyard manures


are concerned. The latest edition of the NIGTA Feed Forum focuses on this


subject. In it, Gallagher explained: “With the closed period for spreading organic manures having come to an end, attention is now turning to this year’s growing season and planning nutrient applications. Optimising nutrient use efficiency is the key to success in this regard.” Growing more, and better quality, grass ultimately starts with paying closer attention to soil health. “A holistic approach focusing on the physical, biological, and


chemical needs of the soil will ensure that the nutrients supplied are available for uptake and can be properly utilised.” She added: “This involves addressing any compaction or drainage


issues as well as assessing the pH and nutrient status of the soil via soil testing.


According to Gallagher, soil pH is critical because it determines the availability of most nutrients. “It is therefore alarming that an estimated 64% of soils in Northern


Ireland are below the optimum soil pH of 6.0,” commented the NIGTA representative. “This means that a significant proportion of the nutrients applied


by organic manures or chemical fertilisers can be underutilised by the soil. As such, applying lime to correct soil pH is essential and one of the best investments a farm can make. Investing the time and effort in developing a farm nutrient management plan is a worthwhile exercise. By matching the nutrient inputs from organic manures and


fertilisers to crop demand, informed by soil analysis results, this helps to optimise the use of nutrients.” Gallagher concluded: “Not only should this benefit grass yield


and quality, it should also help to reduce costs by avoiding wastage and lessening the risk of losses to the environment through nutrient leaching and run off. “Volatilisation into the atmosphere in the form of greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions will also be reduced.


“It is, therefore, a win-win: economically and environmentally.”


THE NEW NORM FOR WHEAT PRICES COULD BE IN THE REGION OF €300/T Wheat prices at just short of €300/t could be the new norm for the market, according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) economics and analysis director David Eudall. He spoke at the Ulster Arable Society annual conference. According to the AHDB representative grain markets are very much dictated by supply and demand. But these factors can be crystallised into one very fundamental indicator: the stocks to use ratio. He further explained: “Currently this figure is sitting at around 19%.


This is an historically low value, which would point to the potential for grain market prices to increase somewhat over the coming months. “The grain produced last year is now, for the most part, through the system. And the market is looking towards the harvest of 2023.” Eudall is predicting a severe weather event or a political


development taking place in the northern hemisphere over the coming spring months, the impact of which will have a strengthening effect on grain markets. He continued: “It’s unlikely that the price peaks of 2022 will be


reached. However, we are looking towards a future that must take account of Ukraine and the Black Sea region not being major export players on world markets, at least in the short term. “And, if this is the case, the scenario unfolding will be one that


sees the rest of the world finding ways to make up for this significant shortfall in grain production.” Eudall stressed the need for cereal growers to factor in a long


terms understanding of the risks posed to their businesses as they plan for the future. The AHDB representative indicated that South America will


become an increasingly important player on world grain markets over the current years. He based this assertion on a number of factors, including land availability and the ongoing impact of climate change, adding:


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