Ireland: Protein rich crop production must be encouraged

There is a scary amount of potatoes still left in the fields. Harvesting is progressing well in most parts and yields look well so far, but delayed harvesting could yet start to impact on saleable yield. Combine this with one of the lowest national acreages ever since the crop was first introduced to this country, and the story of the 2014 potato crop might well have a twist at the end.

Where spring cropping is planned, it is fair to say that the new direct payment for protein crops is being met with some scepticism. Heavier land doesn't suit peas, leaving spring beans as the only real option for this payment in certain areas.

The early sowing conditions necessary for maximum yield are often not guaranteed and there is little enthusiasm for the late harvesting that will be involved. There is also a feeling that the extra payment will just be absorbed in a lower price for the beans at harvest.

However, we must grow a better balance of crops and protein crop production must be encouraged. The necessity to become more self-sufficient for our protein requirement is becoming more evident given the comments from the incoming EU Commission in relation to genetically modified (GM) feed imports.

The incoming Commission president plans to review the GM licensing laws within six months of taking office. He has suggested that "the view of the majority of member states should count as strongly as the scientific evidence" This means the opinions of the naysayers will be treated with the same respect as clear scientific evidence.

It is to the credit of the Department here that a protein payment is being introduced to stimulate protein crop production. Growers for their part are only too willing to grow a viable break crop, but only if it makes economic sense.

Ration compounders, however, won't reformulate rations to be based around home-grown proteins unless there is sufficient quantity to maintain throughput and reformulation and compounding expenses.

The availability of sufficient beans or peas to justify these changes is completely in the control of these compounders. If we are to become more self-sufficient in proteins, the compounders will have to sign up on fixed-price contracts for protein crops, at a viable rate, before planting commences.

It's a small leap of faith on their part, but the alternative is a huge leap of faith by growers and one which I'm not sure growers will make. The future price for cereals is far from certain, but growers are comfortable with cereal production. They are unlikely to add to their production risks by growing a volatile crop at an unknown or unviable price. That's not a good risk management strategy to start the season with.

Source: independent.ie