Native Cereals Key to Cutting Winter Feed Costs – Delany

IFA National Grain Committee Noel Delany said that feeding crimped and processed grain or whole crop cereal is the key to cutting dairy and beef farmers’ feed costs this winter.

Mr. Delany said, “Feedingstuff purchases for many intensive livestock farmers are by far the single biggest expenditure item and any savings achieved go straight to the bottom line. Crimped, processed grain and whole crop wheat or barley is a viable alternative to expensive compound feeds as it provides a high quality, high energy dense feed achieving major cost savings.”

“Approximately 2 million tonnes of compound feed are used by the dairy and beef sector annually, costing farmers €450m – €500m. Livestock farmers can achieve major cost savings if they shorten the supply chain and source crimped, whole crop cereal or whole cereals directly from tillage growers. The development of new processing methods, such as crimping, caustic treatment and urea treatment, in addition to traditional acid treatment and dry rolling, has meant that large quantities of cereals can be processed at low cost.”

Noel Delany said, “There is a golden window of opportunity at harvest time that allows livestock feeders to source top quality home grown cereals at competitive prices. The newer processing options give growers a wider harvesting window and access to a larger and often higher value markets.”