Native Irish grain is the most versatile high energy feed that farmers can grow or buy. Traditionally, grain was dried or stored on air at moistures of 18pc or lower.

The new technology on additive, processing and storage options have left native grain as the most cost competitive concentrate feed source available for all classes of livestock. Dairy farmers and beef farmers that store their own grain or purchase grain in whatever form from neighbouring cereal farmers can make savings of €30-40/t in their winter ration costs.

The grain price projections for this autumn are significantly higher than recent years. Unfortunately for livestock farmers, all feed import alternatives are also significantly higher, which will result in much higher concentrate costs this coming feeding season.

This, combined with the higher cost of fuel for the traditional drying, storage and rolling, will force the livestock farmer to look at more cost- effective options. Greater co-operation between farmers through farm-to-farm trading as promoted by the IFA has seen significantly higher amounts of grain traded, particularly at harvest time

The following guide outlines the treatment and storage options available to the producer and end-user this harvest. No one process is better than another. New processes such as Alkagrain have been gaining in popularity due to the fact that it increases the final protein content of the grain by 4-5pc. It also increases the pH of the grain, which significantly enhances the finished diet of the animal. Caution is urged when purchasing crimped grain. Moisture contents can easily exceed the recommended 30pc and this extra water should be discounted when agreeing on a purchase price. Using an appropriate additive to suit the particular moisture content of the grain is advised

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