in farm incomes. Average family farm income on cattle rearing farms dipped to an


estimated €8,318 in 2018 – a reduction of 22 per cent on the €10,642 in 2017, with a sharp rise in production costs the main driver. Cattle other farms, which comprise a range of cattle production systems (e.g., cattle finishers) other than suckler production systems, also experienced an income drop, due to higher input expenditure. But it was not as steep as that which occurred on cattle rearing farms. Average cattle other farm income in 2018 was €14,408 – a reduction of 11% on the 2017 figure of €16,115. According to Teagasc economist Dr. Emma Dillon, dairy farms


incurred the largest income reductions in 2018, with average dairy farm income falling by 31 per cent to €61,273, compared with the 2017 level of €88,829. Concentrate feed use increased by almost one-third, to over 1,300 kg per cow. Sheep farms also experienced an income reduction in 2018, with


higher than normal levels of feed and fertiliser use. Average sheep farm income fell from €17,357 in 2017 to €13,769 in 2018, a reduction of 21%. In 2018, in general, winter-sown crops fared better in terms of their


yield performance than spring-sown crops. While crop yields on tillage farms were well below average trend yields, farmers benefitted from a large jump in harvest prices in 2018 relative to 2017. In spite of the low yields, this price increase was large enough to boost the average income on tillage farms in 2018, which was €42,678 – an increase of 18% on the 2017 figure of €36,048. Across the farm sector, as a whole, the average family-farm income


in 2018 declined by 21%, dropping from €29,774 in 2017 to €23,483. However, the average on individual farm systems continues to vary greatly.


MYCOSORB A+® LATEST ALLTECH SOLUTION TO BE


is capable of improving livestock and aqua performance by reducing the impact of mycotoxins. The Trust has confirmed that, in terms of ruminant livestock, it is


CERTIFIED BY THE CARBON TRUST The Carbon Trust has validated that the correct use of Alltech’s Mycosorb A+


likely that these changes will lead to a reduction in methane emissions in ruminants against a valid baseline and improvements in animal efficiency and performance in both monogastric livestock and aqua. “Mycotoxins threaten animal health and producer profitability,


so identifying and addressing these hidden challenges is very important for farmers,” explained Nick Adams, global manager of the Alltech®


Mycotoxin Management team. “Mycosorb A+ reduces mycotoxin absorption within the animal, thereby negating the damaging effects of mycotoxins on its health and


productivity. The accreditation from the Carbon Trust gives recognition to Alltech’s continued drive to help producers improve productivity in a way that leads to a reduction in environmental impacts.”


IN MY OPINION … RICHARD HALLERON consumer expectations regarding ‘cheap food’ availability must be challenged I recently attended an international agri-food conference in Dublin at which a respected economist said that farmgate prices will continue to decrease over the coming years. His perspective on this is that the farming industry must respond in a two-fold manner: increase productivity and improve efficiency levels. All of this is fine and dandy, up to a point. But with increasing


bureaucratic, environmental and administrative challenges continuing to impact on Irish agriculture, surely farmers must get paid a price that reflects all of the ensuing investment that will be required to ensure compliance, where these matters are concerned. The reality is that we don’t do cheap food in Ireland. Further


evidence of the increasing bureaucratic pressure on farmers is the recent confirmation of increasing numbers of cattle being discarded at meat plants, because of issues relating to their identification. A recent survey confirmed that farmers get more vexed when it comes to securing compliance with animal identification and traceability measures than would be the case with any other facet of their businesses. It’s also worth pointing out that, had red meat prices kept track with


inflation over recent years, the producer price for beef now would be almost twice what it is today. This figure knocks for six the notion that food is expensive. In reality,


all the staple food items are cheaper now, in real terms, than they were a generation ago. It’s also worth remembering that the amount of aid available to agriculture, courtesy of the Basic Payment, is reducing every year. And who knows what’s coming down the track once London and Brussels sort out their affairs post 2020. This last comment assumes that some form of Brexit will be agreed to later this year. But irrespective of the politics, the need for farming and food


across the island of Ireland to get a strong and clear message across to consumers has never been greater. Farmers cannot be expected to work for nothing. There is a clear and strategic need for the maintenance of a strong


indigenous farming industry in Ireland – north and south. However, this will not be secured on the back of a cheap food policy. Production costs have doubled on many farms over the past five


years. This development has not been reflected in the shops, which means that farmers are taking most of the pain. Retailers and consumers must, therefore, be reminded in the strongest possible terms that farmers can only take so much.


Choose the proven leader for all of your feed additive needs


Alltech.com/ireland AlltechNaturally @Alltech Sarney | Summerhill Road | Dunboyne | Co. Meath FEED COMPOUNDER JULY/AUGUST 2019 PAGE 27


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  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76