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% % P 33% reduction Cage Layer: 0.45% % P 5% reduction Free Range Layer: 0.45% % P 20% reduction Pullet Rearing: 0.65% % P 3% reduction Breeders: 0.45% % 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 FCR corrected Pig starter and creep %-15% Pig link/early grower %-23% Pig grower %-21% Pig finisher %-25% Sow breeder %-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/tonne ie. £5M/annum to dairy farmers Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association

FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY Further 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

(est) Total Fertiliser 529k 230k 264k 254k Nitrogen 132k 61k 70k 64k Phosphate 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 years Zero 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

- 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 key Optimise forage yield & quality Optimise forage/concentrate balance Measurement is essential Forage analysis – 1 st 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 Milk Production (litres) 1,627 m 2,203 m + 35% Broiler Chickens (birds) 9,655 k 13,614 k + 41%