Minister Hackett announces over 50,000 tonnes of organic feed needed next winter
- Published on: 20 February 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, today welcomed the results of an organic feed survey that indicates growing demand for organic feed of all types to meet requirements for next winter 2024/2025.
Minister Hackett said:
“This survey shows growing demand for organic feed of all types to meet requirements for the winter 2024/25. Results show consistent growth following the organic feed survey carried out last year as regards demand for concentrated feed, straights and forage. It will help inform planting decisions this Spring.”
The survey took place against the background of a significant increase in organic farmer numbers and area over the past couple of years. Farmer numbers doubled to 4,000 in 2023, with another 1,000 farmers joining the Organic Farming Scheme in 2024. Organic land will reach 5% of overall agricultural area in 2024, and is well on target to achieve 10% by 2030, as set out in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.
There were 912 responses to the survey and, based on the replies, it is estimated that overall demand for concentrates will be in the region of 33,000 tonnes. Similarly, demand could be in the region of 20,000 tonnes for straights, 6,000 tonnes for protein crops (such as a pea/barley mix), and for 50,000 bales of fodder.
Minister Hackett concluded by saying:
“Organics and tillage have been highlighted in FoodVision as an opportunity for farmers. These results show the growing demand for organic feed and the opportunity to increase the area of organic tillage in Ireland. There is an opportunity for an organic Irish mill as the sector continues to grow.”
Notes
912 organic farmers participated in the survey which is approximately 25% participation rate among the cohort of farmers in organics before the 2024 intake. 40% of the survey participants have obtained full organic status, 60% are in-conversion. The majority of those who responded have beef (76%) and/or sheep (43%) enterprises. Some 12% have a tillage enterprise, 4% have poultry and 3% have dairy. Response numbers were reflective of the geographic spread of organic farmers. Responses were received from every county; the largest number came from Roscommon, Galway, Kerry, Cork and Donegal.
The survey was carried out from 27 December 2023 and closed for responses on 16 January 2024. 912 responses represents approximately a quarter of organic farmers in the Republic of Ireland before the 2024 intake. With an additional 1,000 farmers in organics from 1 January 2024, it would be representative of a fifth of all organic farmers. A full report is available below.
For further information please contact the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Organic team on organic@agriculture.gov.ie or 053 916342
The Government of Ireland recognises that taking action on climate change, restoring and protecting nature, and improving our water and air quality is central to Ireland’s social and economic development, and to ensuring a good quality of life for everyone.