footprint, considering the direct emissions from production, as well as the transportation of feed and indirect emissions that arise from the impact of that feed on the animal. However, the true impact depends on the species and the system of production.
The Feeds EA™ model provides an opportunity to optimise a ration by demonstrating how formulation changes could reduce the carbon footprint of the feed.
In my opinion … Richard Halleron
WHAT DOES FUTURE SUSTAINABILITY REALLY MEAN FOR FARMERS?
I’m tired of being told that farmers must accept that the only scenario coming down the track for them is one within which food prices keep getting ever lower.
In response to this, producers will be expected to “get their act together” 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 local 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 this part of the
world.
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 in the region of €5.50/kg deadweight.
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 Scheme, is reducing every year. And who knows what’s coming down the track, both in an Irish and UK context, once Brexit is finally sorted out. All of this serves to highlight the need for our farming industry to get a strong and clear message across to consumers, highlighting the need for a proper and constructive debate on the way food is now produced. 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 and the UK. 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 retail outlets across the EU, 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. Back when Phil Hogan was EU agriculture commissioner, commitments were made to the effect that farmers’ “exposed” position at the very beginning of the food chain would be fully recognised by Brussels. Unfortunately, this story seems to have run out of steam since the new Commission took office.
Advice | Design and Engineering | Process Optimisation Real Time Sensor Data
Feed Mill Engineering
van Mourik Group Boylestraat 34 6718 XM Ede
The Netherlands PAGE 30 MARCH/APRIL 2021 FEED COMPOUNDER +31 (0)318 64 11 44
www.vanmourik-group.com
info@vanmourik-group.com
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