Green Pages Feed Trade Topics from the Island of Ireland
COMPOUND FEED TONNAGES CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Robin Irvine, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA), has confirmed that compound feed production tonnages continued to increase last year. “For the first three quarters of 2018, the year-on-year growth was
in the region of 9 percent,” said Irvine. “This was partly fuelled by the drought conditions of June and July. “We also had strong demand for feed last spring, again, due to
weather-related issues,” Irvine continued. “A return to better grass- growing conditions at the back end took the pressure off compound feed sales at that stage. However, millers are confirming that the sector, as a whole, will record a significant increase in manufactured tonnages for the 12 months of 2018. It was a record year for sales.” Irvine attributed the continued growth of compound feed sales
to the growing demand for animal products in countries around the world.
“Here in Northern Ireland, the livestock sector has significantly
expanded output over the last number of years,” said Irvine. “We now export the bulk of the milk, beef, lamb, pork and poultry that we produce. This expansion has required a commensurate increase in compound feed inputs.” The NIGTA chief executive predicts that the output generated by
Northern Ireland livestock sectors will to continue to increase — and on a “sustainable basis,” no less. “In other words, we can continue to increase output while still
maintaining air and water quality levels,” Irvine explained. “Agriculture in Northern Ireland has a strong track record of being able to tackle environmental issues. Our response to the phosphate challenge is a case in point. “NIGTA field officers are working with clients to develop feeding
systems that are wholly sustainable — and, as new science-based principles are established, from an animal feeding perspective, these will be implemented for the continued benefit of farmers in Northern Ireland,” Irvine concluded. “The continuing expansion within the feed sector has been supported by the investment required to keep up with the growth in demand. Feed businesses have also invested in technology and training to ensure that this growth is environmentally sustainable.” Meanwhile, the 2019 Alltech Global Feed Survey estimates that
international feed tonnages have increased by a strong 3 percent, to 1.103 billion metric tonnes of feed produced in 2018 — the third consecutive year to exceed 1 billion metric tonnes. The annual survey, now in its eighth year, includes data from 144
countries and nearly 30,000 feed mills. The feed industry has seen growth of 14.6 percent over the past five years, equating to an average
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of 2.76 percent per annum. According to Alltech, as the world’s population grows, so does
the middle class, which is reflected in the increase of overall protein consumption. The top eight compound feed-producing countries are China, the
U.S., Brazil, Russia, India, Mexico, Spain and Turkey. Together, they produce 55 percent of the world’s feed and are home to 59 percent of the world’s feed mills. The predominant growth in these regions came from the layer, broiler and dairy feed sectors. The Alltech Global Feed Survey confirms that Europe experienced
an overall growth of around 4 percent last year, making it the second- fastest-growing region surveyed, as a result of feed production increases in layers (7 percent), broilers (5 percent), aquaculture (5 percent), dairy (4 percent) and pig (3 percent). Beef was the only primary protein species to decline, though that decline amounted to less than 1 percent.
MORE PROTECTION REQUIRED FOR IRISH FARMERS IN THE EVENT OF A “NO-DEAL” BREXIT Irish Farmers Association (IFA) President Joe Healy called the EU Commission’s decision to increase the limit on state aid for farmers from €15,000 to €25,000 an important first step in protecting farmers in the event of a crash-out Brexit — but he warned that, if a worst-case scenario plays out, significantly more funding will be needed. Healy said that, in a “no-deal” Brexit, state aid limited to €8,300 per
year would not be enough, given the losses that farmers have already encountered and would face in such a scenario. “We need to see much more urgency from the minister and clarity
on the details of exactly what mechanisms will be applied,” said Healy. “Aid must go to farmers and not be gobbled up by others in the supply chain.” The IFA President warned that, because of the scale of the losses
a Brexit crash-out would incur, the EU Commission would have to be the primary source of funds for an emergency support package. Additionally, due to the uncertainty around Brexit and the chance that it could lead to dangerously unprecedented losses for farmers and the agriculture sector, there cannot be a limit on support at this time. Healy noted that the IFA has proposed comprehensive packages
of market support and direct aid for farmers to the government and the EU Commission.
INPUT COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE ON IRISH FARMS The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) has cited figures released recently by Ireland’s Central Statistics Office (CSO) as confirmation of what farmers already strongly suspected about input costs from their own accounts and enterprises.
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