Written answers
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Organic Farming
Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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276. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will approve a grant for a new fodder growing system, using organic barley, that can produce feed on organic farms (details supplied), and thereby reduce the silage effluent, which is one of the most toxic sources of pollution on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8954/15]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The fodder production system referred to is currently being promoted as an economically viable system of producing fodder or overcoming fodder shortages on organic livestock farms. The economics and application of such a production system, however, have to be carefully examined.
I am advised by my Department that the accepted comparison of feed is based on dry matter equivalents. A feed with 90% water, as in the case of sprouted grain central to the production system referred to, has considerably less feed value than the grain itself with 5% water, on a weight for weight basis. Furthermore, I am advised that research has shown that there is a net loss of dry matter over the sprouting/growing period of in excess of 20%.
In light of the above therefore, I have no plans to grant aid the production system referred to at this time.
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