Latest from Agriland
Agriland
18 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Avian flu, enhanced welfare standards impact UK poultry feed production
A decline in UK poultry feed production levels has been confirmed by the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB). Driving this trend has been a combination of factors including avian flu and the introduction of enhanced bird welfare standards, according to the board. Animal feed production accounts for over 50% of total domestic cereal usage in the UK, the AHDB said. Demand from the poultry sector continues to consume the largest share of this output. However, the percentage share that poultry feed demand has slightly this season (July 2024-April 2025) compared with the previous five-year average. Poultry feed production In overall terms, total GB poultry feed production up to this point in 2024/25 is down 2% on the same period last year. AHDB said there are a number of factors driving this decline. From a broiler perspective, a number of large UK supermarkets have committed to reducing bird stocking densities to improve welfare standards. This has led to a 21% reduction in stocking rates for some producers, down from 38kg/m² to 30kg/m², AHDB said. In addition, avian influenza outbreaks and higher energy costs have impacted producer margins. Feed typically represents around 50% of total broiler production costs. However, in 2023/24, feed accounted for 64.3% of total costs, according to data from the UK Farm Business Survey. According to the AHDB, while there have been reductions in costs recently, these have not returned to pre-war levels. Meanwhile, broiler chick placements within the UK poultry industry have fallen consistently since their peak in 2021 at just under 1.19 billion chicks. This is down 6.5% to 1.11 billion in 2024. However, the AHDB said from January to May 2025, there has been the first signs of growth since 2021, with placings up 4.6% (477.3 million) compared to the same point last year. Poultry meat Significantly, there is no projected slowing in demand for poultry meat, with UK consumption levels estimated to increase by 250g/person/year by 2028. For layers, 2020 was the peak of layer placings in the UK with 40.5 million head. Numbers dropped off after this to a nine-year-low in 2022 to 34.2 million chicks, the AHDB said. Reasons hold parallel to that of the broiler industry, as the Farm Business Survey found that fuel and heat costs were up 12% and 19% respectively, with prices being paid by retailers not matching the rise in costs. As for feed, layers make up a smaller proportion of total feed consumption compared with broilers, but still substantial, the AHDB said. Looking forward, according to the board, the laying sector still has room for growth and is not yet back to 2020 capacity. However, from January to May, UK layer chick placings were up 3% on year earlier levels, suggesting growth in the sector. Meanwhile, the anticipated rise in demand for poultry meat is likely to drive increases in feed usage. However, longer-term projections are complicated by external pressures, particularly the uncertainty surrounding future trade agreements and ongoing volatility in global energy and input markets.
Agriland
4 days ago
- Politics
- Agriland
12 EU member states want animal-sourced food names protected
12 EU member states have supported a call for the European Commission to introduce protections on traditional animal-sourced food names so they cannot be used on plant-based food labels. The delegation from the Czech Republic presented a paper on the issue at a meeting of agriculture ministers in the Council of the EU this week. The Czech paper was supported by 11 other member states, including Ireland. The document said that the food market in the EU is increasingly composed of products that consist only of plant-based ingredients and are similar in appearance, taste and consistency to products of animal origin. These plant-based foods are very often labelled with the names belonging to meat, eggs, honey, fish, and products made from them. However, the paper said that plant-based products differ substantially from food products of animal origin, particularly in terms of composition and nutritional value. The Czech submission said that it is 'essential' that foods which imitate, mimic or substitute foods of animal origin do not mislead the consumer by their labelling as to their true nature. Protection of names is already in place for products for the dairy sector. However, no other protection of food names is in place at EU level for other animal-sourced products, and some member states are considering the introduction of reserved names for other food of animal origin at national level. The member states involved in the paper are calling for 'harmonisation of legal protection' to be provided on food names. They are seeking a legislative proposal from the commission to protect the names of animal origin, providing them with similar protection that already exists for milk and dairy products. The pressure on the commission to protect names of animal-sourced food has been welcomed by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA). ICMSA president Denis Drennan claimed that the inclusion of terms such a 'sausage' or 'burger' in vegetarian or vegan foods 'was deliberate and cynical'. He said that the 'hijakcing' of traditional meat and dairy terms 'actually constitutes an admissions by the corporations involved that they were unable to convince consumers other than by such camouflage'. 'Obviously, people are free to eat whatever they want but it is a matter of considerable irritation to farmers to see the very people and corporations who want to replace our naturally produced meat and dairy with their own non-meat and non-dairy products very deliberately using the terms that they know are generally understood to refer to traditional dairy and meat products,' Drennan said. 'They want to use our terminology and the acceptance borne of centuries that those terms have amongst the general public to effectively smuggle their own products past a sceptical public.' The ICMSA president said it is 'no longer tenable to allow non-dairy and non-meat products to advertise and promote themselves using terms and language associated with the traditional foods these vegetarian and vegan products are attempting to supplant'. 'It's self-evidently wrong that products that contain not a trace of meat are being sold as 'sausage' or 'burger' and being marketed in this disingenuous way. These corporations…are quite deliberately playing on people's desire for healthy, traditional, meat-based foodstuffs while actually substituting real meal ingredients with cheaper and more processed vegetable and plant-derived elements,' Drennan said.
Agriland
5 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Average family income on cattle-rearing farms revealed
In 2024, the output value on cattle-rearing farms increased due to higher cattle prices, the latest National Farm Survey (NFS) from economists at Teagasc has revealed. The results of the survey were released today (June 23), with approximately 15,675 cattle rearing farms represented in the survey. According to the NFS, the average family farm income (FFI) on cattle rearing farms was €13,547, up 93% year-on-year. The survey found that suckler cow production is the dominant enterprise on these farms. The table below outlines the different components in FFI on cattle rearing farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey Teagasc believes that lower production costs contributed to the improved economic performance on these farms. Participation in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS), and Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) also helped to underpin the improvement in incomes. The table below outlines the average indicators on cattle rearing farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey On individual cost items, expenditure on fertiliser declined by 30% to €2,352 on average. The data indicates that there has been some increase in usage on a per hectare basis. The NFS found that spending on bulky feed declined, while expenditure on concentrates at €4,131 remained relatively stable compared to 2023. Contracting expenditure increased by 9% to €4,466 on average, livestock and veterinary costs remained generally stable at €2,368, while other costs increased by 7% to €1,827. According to the survey, overhead costs on the average cattle-rearing farm fell in 2024 to €18,937. The table below outlines the distribution in cattle-rearing FFI between 2022 and 2024. Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey Teagasc noted that on 48% of cattle-rearing farms, the holder also worked off-farm in 2024. Cattle other Elsewhere, there were approximately 35,823 'cattle other' farms represented in the survey in 2024, with an average income of €18,101. This represents a 32% increase on the 2023 level. Cattle finishing is the dominant enterprise on these farms. Teagasc found that the average output value per cattle other farm was relatively unchanged in 2024 at €61,387, due to a reduction in production value. The table below outlines the different components in FFI on 'cattle other' farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey The NFS found that the proportion of farms reporting an FFI below €5,000 decreased to 20%, down 21 percentage points compared to 2023. The proportion of 'cattle other' farms with an FFI of between €5,000 and €10,000 increased by 11 percentage points to 25%. Meanwhile, farms reporting an FFI of between €10,000 and €20,000 increased from 19% to 25% year-on-year, and the proportion reporting income in the €20,000 to €50,000 category increased to 23% in 2024. There was a four percentage point increase in the proportion of 'cattle other' farms earning more than €50,000, at 8%, on average in 2024. As in other farm systems in 2024, total costs declined on cattle other farms compared to 2023, with a reduction in both direct and overhead costs. On average, production costs declined by 8%, and overhead costs declined by 14%. Spending on fertiliser declined by 24% to €3,208 on average, while nitrogen usage was down compared to 2023. Contracting related costs increased by 14% year-on-year to €4,825, on average. Expenditure relating to livestock and veterinary averaged €2,384, down slightly on the 2023 level. The table below outlines the concentrate feed use per livestock unit on 'cattle other' farms in 2024: Source: Teagasc National Farm Survey The average utilised agricultural area on 'cattle other' farms in 2024 was 32ha. Livestock numbers were also down, by 5%, while the gross margin per hectare increased by 6% in 2024 to €1,193. In terms of the overall population of 'cattle other' farms, approximately 3%of farms fall into the greater than 100ha size category, with 12% in the 50-100ha bracket, and a further 19% in the 30-50ha category. According to Teagasc, about 21% of 'cattle other' farms were in the 20-30ha category, with the remaining 44% comprising farms of less than 20ha. Teagasc noted that 56% of 'cattle other' farm holders also worked off farm in 2024.
Agriland
5 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Dairy farm incomes more than doubled in 2024
Dairy farm incomes more than doubled in 2024, rising by 113% to an average of €108,189, a new report has revealed. According to Teagasc's National Farm Survey, the recovery in dairy incomes in 2024 was driven by a strong recovery in milk prices and favourable grazing conditions from mid-year onwards, which boosted production later in the year. Teagasc said: 'In addition, input costs, such as feed and fertiliser, eased slightly relative to 2023, as did overhead costs. 'The strength of the income recovery is a reminder that Irish dairy farm incomes are highly sensitive to milk price movements in successive years, a factor over which dairy farmers have no control.' The National Farm Survey represents around 88,000 farms in Ireland, according to Teagasc. There were 15,131 dairy farms represented in the survey in 2024. Teagasc said that a farm is deemed viable if family farm income (FFI) can cover family labour and provide a 5% return on non-land assets. A large decrease in the proportion of dairy farms reporting an average FFI below €30,000 is apparent, dropping from 38% to 13% year-on-year. The proportion of farms in the highest income category rose from 16% in 2023 to 46% in 2024. In 2024, 12% of dairy farms reported an average FFI of between €30,000 and €50,000, with a further 13% earning between €50,000 and €70,000 and 16% reporting an average of between €70,000 and €100,000. National Farm Survey results Despite a decline in milk production in quarter one of 2024, compared to 2023, favourable weather conditions later in the year facilitated a recovery in production in quarter four, the Teagasc report outlines. As a result, overall, milk production in Ireland declined only marginally by 0.4% in 2024 compared to 2023. Gross output in 2024 typically increased by 15% relative to 2023 on dairy farms. This was due to the higher milk price, with a marginal decline in volume. On a per hectare basis, average milk production decreased by 4% year-on-year to 11,210L. Despite this, the improved milk price in 2024 resulted in an increase in gross output per hectare of 15% to €5,967 on average. On a per hectare basis, direct costs decreased by 7% on average to €2,318. Overall, this resulted in the average dairy gross margin per hectare increasing by 34% to €3,649 in 2024. Dairy farm inputs On the average dairy farm, total production costs declined by 4% year-on-year, with a reduction in both direct and overhead costs. There was a significant decline in feed and fertiliser prices in 2024. Purchased concentrate expenditure typically totalled €61,517 in 2024, a 5% decrease relative to 2023. Expenditure on purchased bulky feed increased by 21% (to €8,861) on average in 2024, due to unfavourable weather conditions at times and possibly also to boost yields given the rising milk price over the course of the year. Fertiliser expenditure on dairy farms decreased by 29% in 2024 to €17,820, on average. The volume of fertiliser use increased in 2024, Teagasc data shows, up 7% on average following a number of successive declines in preceding years. On average, machinery hire – contracting – expenditure increased by 9% in 2024 to €19,938, with other livestock and veterinary costs remaining relatively unchanged at €17,509 following previous annual increases. Overhead costs decreased by 5% on the average dairy farm in 2024, driven by lower building depreciation (down 23% to €11,403) and machinery depreciation (down 18% to €17,429). Machinery operating costs remained relatively stable at €13,804. Costs relating to hired labour increased, up 4% to €10,916. There was also an increase in spending relating to land rental, with expenditure up 13% to €11,954, on average in 2024. Almost eight in ten dairy farmers are renting in some land and that proportion has stabilised in recent years. Milk quota removal A decade has passed since the abolition of the EU milk quota system in April 2015 and in that time, the Irish dairy sector has undergone substantial change, Teagasc's report said. Data from Teagasc and the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that while the number of dairy farms increased in the run up to the removal of the milk quota system, the number of dairy farms has actually declined slightly since then. The dairy cow population increased from 1.13 million in 2014 to 1.51 in 2023, an increase of 33%. However, recently there has been a slight decline, with the dairy cow population falling to 1.48 million in 2024. 'The number of dairy farms reflects the net change resulting from new entrants to the dairy sector, farms exiting the dairy sector and dairy farm consolidation,' Teagasc said. Compared to 2014, milk production in 2022 had increased by 56%. Teagasc said that data shows farm incomes have become 'increasingly volatile' over the last number of years. 'The volatility in milk prices over the last decade is very pronounced, with the annual average milk price in 2022 more than double the average annual milk price in 2016.'
Agriland
6 days ago
- General
- Agriland
Is soil fertility on farms holding back growth rates?
Soil fertility may be holding a lot of farms back in terms of grass growth, as it is often the first piece to rectifying the grass growing puzzle. As we are into the main grazing season, farmers may feel restricted with how much grass they are growing and wonder why they are not growing as much as other farmers despite good nutrient usage and quality management. In a time where nitrates regulations, banding, and environmental restrictions is somewhat holding back the amount of cows each holding can milk and how much fertiliser can be spread, consolidating what we have is essential and that starts with soil fertility. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are very important nutrients and should be at index three or four to firstly save on fertiliser bills and to more importantly grow more grass. However, if the soil pH is not optimal, the plant simply cannot make efficient use of the nitrogen (N), P or K that is applied to the ground. Soil pH should be above 6.3 for grass-only swards. In order for clover to persist in swards, ideally the pH of the soil should be 6.5. From purely a production or profitability/acre angle, land is not as valuable as it once was. Farmers cannot stock the same number of cows on that land as they could previously, due to factors such as the nitrates derogation and banding. So in order to maximise production/acre, a soil health plan needs to be developed on your farm, with work in the next couple of weeks to identify which if any paddocks have been underperforming. Soil fertility According to Teagasc, reports from 2024 suggest that soils on dairy farms were significantly below the levels required for optimum pasture growth and nutrient use efficiency. The reports showed that only 24% of soils are at optimum pH, P and K, and only 60% of the soils have a pH of over 6.3. More than half (53%) of soils are only at index one or two for P and under half (47%) of soils are at index one or two for K. Grass dry matter (DM) production on Paturebase Ireland recording farms averaged 13.2t DM/ha/year from 2014 to 2024, which is more than likely influenced primarily by this poor soil fertility status. The target, although it proves to be very difficult – especially for different land types – to grow 15t DM/ha/year. This can only be done through optimum soil fertility where the ground can retain and utilise the nutrients. That being said, other factors such as nutrient application, grassland management, and clover incorporation also have a huge input into how much grass the farm grows. But the first step should be rectifying soil fertility. Soil sampling the farm is a must, as for farmers who are above 130kg organic N/ha, in the absence of soil sampling, index 4 for P will be assumed. Sampling ideally should be done between October and February. Rectifying Seeing results from improving soil fertility can take time, so targeting parts of the farm with the poorest fertility should be completed first. Once soil samples are obtained, a proper nutrient management plan can be created. Paddocks that are underperforming, have a high weed burden, and poor soil fertility should marked for reseeding to rectify the fertility, boost production, and suffocate weeds. Liming paddocks should be done when it is determined that soil pH has fallen below the desired levels as it has one of the quickest returns on investment across any measure taken on farms. For every €1 invested, it will return €4-€7 in the form of extra grass growth, reduced N usage, and increased soil fertility. Ideally, when paddocks have just been grazed and covers are low, lime should be applied to paddocks that require it, which can be identified from your soil samples. This may require a farmer to order a load of lime – which is about 20t – after each grazing rotation to correct soil pH. One load will cover about 10ac at about 2t/ac. Spreading lime on high covers of over 800kg DM/ha should be avoided, as this can lead to residues remaining on the grass when cows get back around to graze it. Lime should be applied 'little but often' without exceeding 5t/ha in a single application. Applying a split application of 2.5t/ha over a number of years will allow you to build soil pH in stages over time. Organic manure – be it slurry or farmyard manure – should be targeted at lower P and potassium (K) index fields, if possible in the new year. The amount of time and nutrient input that will go into building P and K indexes can vary.
