IFA President John Bryan has called on livestock, dairy, sheep and pig farmers to demand the maximum inclusion of high quality native grain when purchasing compound feeds in a show of support for Irish tillage growers. In addition, the IFA President said “farmers have an opportunity to buy quality native grain at excellent value direct from tillage farmers to get over the current fodder shortages.”

 

Mr Bryan said, “Irish grain prices are trading close to historic lows and the financial problems experienced by growers have been compounded by extremely difficult growing and harvesting conditions over the last two seasons. In addition a number of mills are bypassing Irish grain supplies and sourcing imported cereals at a time when there are ample stocks available on farm and in merchant stores. These same mills are jeopardising their own future as the area of spread lands for pig manure and poultry litter will diminish if the Irish cereal industry is not supported. It is crucial that a vibrant tillage sector is maintained in Ireland as it provides approximately 2 mt annually of competitively priced high quality feed to the livestock sector.”

 

“After one of the coldest winters on record for the last 50 years fodder supplies are running extremely tight on many farms and grass growth is non existent. It is critical that farmers take action now to extend whatever scarce fodder supplies they have. One tonne of rolled barley can replace up to six round bales of silage at a fraction of the cost of purchased fodder or compound feed. Quality native rolled cereal is really excellent value for money. Rolled and whole cereal is readily available from local tillage farmers and grain stores at extremely competitive rates. Professionally formulated livestock rations maximising the inclusion of rolled cereal are available of www.iFarm.ie and at local IFA offices.”

 

John Bryan said “the IFA National Grain Committee had worked hard in successfully promoting farm-to-farm trade of cereals, with close on 800,000t being traded inter farm. There is potential for this market to expand further allowing grain farmers to add value to their produce while at the same time enhancing livestock performance and reducing costs for feeders.”