PHOSPHATES IN FEED?

The Background –

Perceived wisdom was that 0.7% Phosphate was required in a dairy ration to ensure herd health and fertility.

Based on research work carried out in 1940’s

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Environmental concerns Research commissioned by feed trade (Devenish & Thompsons) to determine optimum levels.

Concluded that P levels in dairy rations could be reduced without reducing production or fertility.

Trade “volunteered” to reduce P levels to 0.58% by removal of added P in diets.

Further reduced to 0.5% by use of low P materials

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

P levels in poultry feed from 2002 to 2015

Broilers: 0.45% - 0.55% P 33% reduction Cage Layer: 0.45% - 0.50% P 5% reduction Free Range Layer: 0.45% - 0.50% P 20% reduction Pullet Rearing: 0.65% - 0.75% P 3% reduction Breeders: 0.45% - 0.50% P 20% reduction

Due to use of Phytase enzyme + an improvement in FCR.

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Average 2003

Total P Levels

Average 2015

Total P Levels

% Reduction

% Reduction

FCR corrected

Pig starter and creep

0.75 0.65 -13% -15%

Pig link/early grower

0.70 0.55 -21% -23%

Pig grower 0.65 0.53 -18% -21%Pig finisher 0.60 0.48 -20% -25%

Sow breeder 0.70 0.58 -17% -20%

PIG DIETS

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

The reduction over the last 12 years has come about from 3 areas:

a. Increased use if phytase and more effective phytase products on the market

b. Review of raw materials and their actual P content

c. Review of P and digestible P requirements, diets now formulated to Digestible P not total P

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

P levels in feed ingredients:

Wheat: 0.25%Maize: 0.26%Soya Ext: 0.68%Rape Ext: 1.10%Maize Distillers: 0.90%

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Reducing Phosphates in Feed

Current P levels can be maintained without cost as long as there is no shift in relative Raw Material prices

Any further reduction in P Level in dairy feeds (below 0.5%) adds significant cost

10% reduction to (0.45%) adds approx £5/tonneie. £5M/annum to dairy farmers

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

FOCUS ON EFFICIENCYFurther reductions in P balances could come from improvements in efficiency.

Precision nutrition - To drive higher yields from same input Or produce same output from less feed.

Result = reduced P balance = increased profitability

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

1995 2009 2012 2015(est)

Total Fertiliser 529k 230k 264k 254k

Nitrogen 132k 61k 70k 64kPhosphate 30k 5.2k 6.4k 7.7k Potash 36k 8.8k 12.0k 13.0k

FERTILISER USAGE

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Major reduction in fertiliser usage in 20 yearsZero P compounds widely used - P applications crash

Now increasing to meet crop requirement

FOCUS ON FORAGE ?

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Potential to increase contribution from forage. Fresh focus on productivity of grassland

Soil analysis the key to nutrient efficiency

Optimise use of manures and chemical fertiliser

Scope to increase production through use of Lime, Nitrogen, Potash, Sulphur ?

Precision Farming

Efficient use of inputs essential to both profitability and environment protection

Theme supported by NIGTA through Feed Advisers Register (FAR) program

Now 120 feed advisors on N.I. register

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

                               - Promotion of professional standards

- Online CPD training program

- Verification of technical competence

- Focused on environmental impact. reducing GHG emissions & P balance

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Benefits F.A.R.

Nutrient efficiency is the keyOptimise forage yield & quality

Optimise forage/concentrate balance

Measurement is essential Forage analysis – 1st stage in ration planning carried out by FAR staff on most dairy farms

Soil analysis – optimise fertility with precise use of fertiliser and farm manures

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

FAR training to have specific NI module added to cover our local requirements.

Promoting a soil analysis program – Target farmers to test 25% of the farm/year

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

Delivering the Messages

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

The Challenge “By 2050 agriculture needs to double its output & halve its environmental footprint.”

Professor Sir John Beddington

Sustainable Intensification through better use of our resources

Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

The Challenge “By 2050 agriculture needs to double output & halve its environmental footprint.”

Professor Sir John Beddington

Sustainable Intensification through better use of our resources

2000 2014

Milk Production (litres) 1,627 m 2,203 m + 35%

Broiler Chickens (birds) 9,655 k 13,614 k + 41%