production at 45,600 tonnes. Total third quarter sheep feed increased markedly from the levels


it recorded a year earlier. The 102,900 tonnes or production was 14,000 tonnes or 15.8 per cent greater than the output from the corresponding period of 2019 and the second highest production level for the period on record, below only the anomalous returns of 2018. Highlighting the fact that 2019’s Q3 output was at historically low levels, the total under review was markedly less advanced of the 10 year average for the period, which it bettered by 9,900 tonnes or 10.1 per cent. Notwithstanding sheep protein concentrates, whose production


levels dropped substantially from 1,500 tonnes to 700 tonnes, a fall of 800 tonnes or 53.3 per cent, all other sheep feed sectors advanced beyond their year earlier levels for the timeframe. Compounds for growing and finishing sheep mirrored the sector as a whole as production rose by 11,100 tonnes or 17.8 per cent to its second highest total on record of 73,500 tonnes. Q3 production of blends for breeding sheep more than doubled from a year previously, with production increasing by 1,400 tonnes or 107.7 per cent to 2,700 tonnes. The sector was rounded off by an 800 tonnes or 4.8 per cent increase in blends for growing and finishing sheep, up to 17,600 tonnes and a 1,700 tonnes or 25.0 per cent rise in compounds for breeding sheep, up to 8,500 tonnes. Despite surpassing the output from the corresponding period of


2019 by a notable 3,600 tonnes or 10.6 per cent, third quarter total horse feed production was nonetheless at the historically low level of 37,700 tonnes. This was the fifth lowest total for the time frame this millennium and resulted in 2020’s Q3 output falling below the 10 year third quarter average by 500 tonnes or 1.3 per cent. In a similar pattern, total other feed, at 110,600 tonnes, had


increased by 1,500 tonnes or 1.4 per cent from the Q3 output of 2019. However, the total under review was the second lowest of the decade and it therefore fell a sizeable 13,300 tonnes or 11.3 per cent below the decade long average for the timeframe. Overall, the feed production rates in the third quarter of 2020


were strong in comparison to their year earlier counterparts. Only total poultry feed did not match its 2019 levels and even then production was still high. Outputs were also strong in relation to their historic averages and total other feed was the sole division that fell below this marker by over 1.5 per cent. Total pig feed was once again the stand out sector as it climbed to the highest output for the period this millennium, however, the stark contrast between it and the ruminant sectors that was seen at this point in 2019 and the beginning of the calendar year is no longer the case. Sheep feed dramatically outstripped both year earlier and long term outputs whilst cattle and calf feed significantly bettered its 2019 production and finished around its 10 year average. It is extremely unlikely that 2020 feed production levels will match the exceptional yields of 2018; they sit 264,000 tonnes or 3.0 per cent below them at this juncture. However, production is on course to reach the second highest tonnage for a calendar year on record and in doing so, arrest the widespread slump in levels that occurred in 2019.


PAGE 8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 FEED COMPOUNDER


NORTHERN IRELAND August Production Overview Total production of compounds, blends and concentrates during the month of August 2020 in Northern Ireland fell 5,700 tonnes or 3.2 per cent below 2019’s output to 170,600 tonnes; this was the second year in succession that August feed production had dropped under year previous returns. Despite these consecutive falls, the total under review was 4,700 tonnes or 2.8 per cent above the 10 year average for August. Total feed production during the month of August 2020 was made up


of: 48.4 per cent cattle and calf feed, 36.4 per cent poultry feed, 10.3 per cent pig feed, 1.6 per cent sheep feed and 3.3 per cent other feed. One of only two sectors to surpass its year earlier performance,


total cattle and calf feed rose by 2,700 tonnes or 3.4 per cent to reach 82,600 tonnes of output. Whilst this total was the fourth highest for the month on record it was just 2,200 tonnes or 2.7 per cent higher than the 10 year average for the month. Only dairy coarse mixes or blends failed to outstrip year previous


output and even then production was just 100 tonnes or 0.8 per cent below 2019’s return at 12,800 tonnes. Output of all other cattle compounds remained steady at 300 tonnes and other calf compounds rose by 100 tonnes or 2.2 per cent to 4,700 tonnes. There were slightly more significant movements across the rest of the sector with: beef cattle compounds rising by 500 tonnes or 5.3 per cent to 9,900 tonnes; beef coarse mixes or blends increasing by 800 tonnes or 6.2 per cent to 13,700 tonnes; and dairy cow compounds growing by 1,700 tonnes or 4.3 per cent to 41,400 tonnes. For the first time this calendar year, total pig feed fell below year


earlier output. August 2020 production, of 17,500 tonnes, was at its lowest level since the corresponding month of 2016 and a substantial 2,300 tonnes or 11.6 per cent down on 2019’s output. The current total, regardless of its poor performance by recent standards, was high enough to surpass the long term average of the last 10 year by 1,600 tonnes or 9.6 per cent. Only pig growing feed bettered its year previous counterpart as


it rose by 200 tonnes or 5.7 per cent to 3,700 tonnes. In contrast, pig link and early grower feed fell a significant 900 tonnes or 28.1 per cent below the record total from 2019 to 2,300 tonnes of output, although this level was still relatively high by historic standards. At 1,900 tonnes, pig starter and creep feed was also unable to match the record output from a year earlier which it dropped 700 tonnes or 26.9 per cent below.


Comment section is sponsored by Compound Feed Engineering Ltd www.cfegroup.com


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