1. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre A Survey of UK Feed Organic Grain Demand Bruce Pearce, Catherine Phillips, Lawrence Woodward Organic Arable Cultivating Partnerships Conference 13 th May 2009

2. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Objective To Better Understand the Current Demand Situation in the Organic Arable Sector

3. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre The Survey Postal Survey. 24 mills, compounders, processors throughout the UK. Asked to complete a questionnaire.  Usage 2007 season.  Usage 2008 season (to 31 st January 2009).  Project use for the rest of 2008 season.  Projected use for 2009 season.

4. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Information on tonnage of… Organic Feed Grains  Feed Wheat  Sunflower Expeller  Lucerne  Soya Expeller  Maize  Peas  Feed Barley  Beans  Full Fat Soya  Rapeseed Expeller  Triticale  Feed Oats  Other Organic Milling Grains  Milling Wheat <12% protein  Milling Wheat >12% protein  Soft Wheat  Milling Oats  Rye  Spelt

5. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre The Survey Also asked a number of qualitative questions  Their experiences.  Criteria for buying.  Other crops. Information could be supplied to us anonymously if required.

6. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Results. 10 out of 24 Responded. Information on feed grain usage.  7 provided information on 2007 and 2008.  1 provided information on 2009. Information on milling grain usage.  1 provided information. Only analysed and presenting information on feed grains in 2007 and 2008.

7. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre 2007 by respondents usage Organic market estimated 250,000 tonnes per annum used. Survey accessed 75,000 tonnes. Accessed approximately 1/3 of the market (tonnes and players) Most in demand grains in 2007.  Wheat (40%).  Sunflower expeller (12%).  Lucerne (9%).  Soya expeller (7%).

8. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Usage by respondents 2007

9. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Usage by respondents 2008 Up to 31 st January 2009. 24,000 tonnes.  Feed wheat (29%).  Peas (12%).  Sunflower expeller (10%).  Feed barley (9%).

10. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Usage 2008 by respondents (to 31/01/09)

11. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Usage 2008 (Feb-Aug) Predicted 40,000 tonnes more used before the end of the year. Total = 65,000 tonnes. 10,000 tonnes down on 2007.  Feed wheat (46%).  Sunflower expeller (11%).  Soya expeller (8%).  Peas (7%).

12. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Usage by respondents 2008

13. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Rank in importance of purchasing decision *

14. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Other Findings Comments about quality were varied.  Quality OK.  Quality variable.  Needs to be cleaner. Would source more UK products if it were available.  Wheat and other cereals.  Alternative protein sources to imported soya.

15. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Discussion & Conclusions This survey was undertaken to gain more information on the supply of organic grains in the UK. Information provided is commercially sensitive. Not successful for milling grains. More successful with feed grains. Future predictions outside of the current year were not forthcoming.  Commercially sensitive?  Unknown with changing organic market?

16. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Discussion & Conclusions Wheat is the most important grain. Followed by other grains and grain bi-products some UK sources and others imported There is a wish to source more UK produced product.  Concern about real or perceived quality deficiencies in UK produce.  A want and a need for a replacement for soya (and other non-UK produced products ie sunflower expeller)

17. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Discussion & Conclusions More work is needed to develop varieties and/or production systems for protein crops that can be produced organically in the UK. More robust and representative market information needed.  Important for the sector as a whole to have such information on both supply and demand.  Would allow for better business planning and the sustainable development of the sector.

18. The Organic Research Centre © The Organic Research Centre Caveat & Thanks This survey has allowed a brief glimpse into the sector. The results are from on a relatively small sample of a small industry so need to be taken with some caution. But it does represent trends and overall position We would like to thank all those who kindly provided information to us.