FARM: Feasibility Assessment of an Irish oRganic feed-Milling sector

The expansion of organic livestock production creates a related need for reliable and competitively priced organic feed. At the same time, expansion of organic tillage depends on having viable markets for organically produced cereals and protein crops (e.g. pea barley).

FARM addresses both sides of this challenge by examining whether greater domestic organic feed-milling capacity could strengthen Ireland’s organic livestock and tillage sectors.

The project combines farm-level, supply-chain and policy analysis to:

assess the current and potential production and sustainability of Irish organic feed crops
examine technical/economic feasibility of post-farm-gate organic feed-processing options
evaluate economic/environmental/social sustainability of developing a domestic organic milling sector
identify policy options capable of supporting additional milling capacity.

Linking organic tillage and livestock production

Organic milling is more than a processing question. It links two parts of the organic sector that need to develop together. For livestock farmers, limited milling capacity can mean restricted availability and high prices for certified organic concentrate feed. For organic tillage farmers, insufficient domestic processing can limit markets for cereals and protein crops.

FARM therefore examines the complete chain from farm-level feed-crop production through processing to livestock demand.

The research combines farm-level modelling with industry and stakeholder information. Interviews have been conducted to identify practical barriers to investment and development of the sector, while alternative processing and policy scenarios have been assessed in terms of economic, social and environmental performance. The resulting evidence will help policymakers and industry evaluate whether, where and under what conditions additional organic feed-processing capacity is viable.

FARM also complements other Teagasc organic research. GROFarmS is examining how home-grown feeds can reduce dependence on purchased concentrate at farm level.

Harvesting pea barley