“Farmers in Brazil can grow three crops of maize annually. And the current prospects for maize production in that country are extremely positive. “In contrast, drought is impacting on Argentine crop production at the present time.” Here in Europe, the harvest prospects for the current season are well down, relative to the output secured in 2022. “Winter planting rates are well down in Ukraine, across all crops,”
said Eudall. “In Russia the latest 2023 grain harvest prediction has come in at 84.8mt, down from the 100mt figure of 2022.” He concluded: “We are about to reach a tipping point, where
northern hemisphere grain prospects for 2023 are concerned. All it would take is for one development, a serious weather event for example, to send cereal markets on an upward trajectory.”
TEAGASC LAUNCHES ‘CROPS COSTS AND RETURNS’ BOOKLET FOR 2023 Ireland’s recent National Tillage Conference marked the launch of Teagasc’s ‘Crops and Returns’ 2023 information booklet. Relative to last year, the new figures confirm a 17% increase in machinery costs. Teagasc tillage specialist Shay Phelan further explained: “We have an estimated a 22 to 25% increase in fertiliser costs, year on year. “This figure might change, given possible changes in the fertiliser market over the coming weeks. “Bank interest charges are also on the rise: we are estimating a 20% plus rise in these costs over the past 12 months.” But it’s not all bad news. Teagasc is confirming a significant
increase in the projected profitability of beans and other protein crops. Shay Phelan again: “The increase in protein scheme payments is
driving this. The 2023 payments will cover all the variable costs incurred by farmers growing protein crops over the coming months. “This leaves growers in a position where growing crops will,
essentially, be expected to cover their machinery costs in order to break even.” Assuming that average yields are secured by the likes of beans
this year, Teagasc is predicting that they could leave a gross margin that matches the very best crops of winter wheat. The new publication features total variable costs per hectare
for the following cereal crops: winter wheat (€2199/ha); spring wheat (1798€/ha); winter barley (€1974/ha); spring barley (€1589/ha); malting barley (€1569/ha); winter oats (€1671/ha); spring oats (€1568/ha). The projected maximum gross margin that can be achieved in
2023 for the various crops are: winter wheat (€930/ha); spring wheat (851€/ha); winter barley (€626/ha); spring barley (€501/ha); malting barley (€706/ha); winter oats (€558/ha); spring oats (€442/ha). A range of non-cereal crops are also referenced in the 2023
Costs and Returns projections. Total variable costs follow: fodder beet (€3114), main crop potatoes (€11,833), open maize (€2246), feed peas (€1095), beans (€1162), winter oilseed rape (€1887), spring
PAGE 28 MARCH/APRIL 2023 FEED COMPOUNDER
oilseed rape (€1387). Maximum gross margins that can be achieved in 2023 are: fodder
beet (€886), main crop potatoes (€1667), open maize (€779), feed peas (€755), beans (€768), winter oilseed rape (€828), spring oilseed rape (€473).
In my Opinion … Richard Halleron SPRING BEANS WILL BE A ‘NO BRAINER’ IN 2023 The recent confirmation of a forward contract price for spring beans from Dairygold will come as very welcome news for Irish tillage farmers. In essence, this development represents the last piece of a tillage-
related jigsaw that puts the seal on beans being a more than viable crop option in 2023. Many farmers marked the start of this year by walking some very
disappointing crops of barley. Adding to this sense of disquiet was the realisation that
opportunities to get winter wheat into the ground before Christmas had not materialised on the back of the atrocious autumn weather. The need for a viable spring-cropping option to manifest itself had
become very obvious. So, here comes the good news: spring beans meet this requirement to a tee. Let me put it like this. For farmers with the right land, not to grow
spring beans in 2023 would be akin to missing a penalty kick and the goal keeper absent without leave. It really is that clear cut. According to Teagasc, the protein subsidy for beans this year will
probably work out at around €500/ha. Average crop yields, going back over the past five years, have come in at 5.1t/ha. Meanwhile, Dairygold is offering a minimum contract price for
beans in 2023 of €285/t. So, as they say in the United States: do the math! In truth, it’s all a bit of a no brainer. The last few weeks have seen Teagasc tillage specialists pushing
spring beans heavily on the back of the enhanced protein payment for 2023 alone. The one niggling worry concerned the sale of the crop after
harvest. Mixed farmers have the option of feeding beans to their own stock.
Specialist tillage farmers will have no alternative but to sell their crops on the open market - but at what price? This week’s news from Dairygold has served to take this concern
away. And, who knows? Other buyers may come forward over the
coming weeks to further strengthen the demand for beans across the country. Beans tick every box from a cropping point of view. They represent
the perfect break crop within all possible rotations. And, being a legume, the need to supply artificial nitrogen to growing crops is, more or less, zero. Tillage farmers have been looking for a positive story to allow
them kick start the New Year. It would seem that their wishes have been granted!
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