Carlow company to help Japan in rebuilding after earthquake

FEED technology company Keenan is helping farmers in disaster-torn Japan to rebuild their country’s food supply chain.

Following meetings between Keenan nutritionist Seth Wareing and senior Japanese government and industry figures, the Keenan feeding system is being adopted as a management tool for reducing the reliance on expensive imported feeds.

Based in Borris, Co Carlow, Keenan’s system uses its patented Mech-fibre animal feed, its total mixed rations and high-tech mixer wagons to maximise nutrition and efficiency. It also helps ensure self-sufficiency in food supply.

Mr Wareing has given practical guidance to farmers in Japan, and has met with agri-businesses across Ireland to encourage them to offer support in helping Japanese farmers rebuild their food supply chain.

Mr Wareing said: “Japan is only 40% self-sufficient in its food supply. This situation was already a huge concern nationally before the earthquake, now the situation is even worse following the earthquake, the tsunami and radiation problems.”

In recent years, Japan has seen a shift away from traditional, locally sourced diets of fish, rice and vegetables to imported meat, dairy and processed foods. A further issue is the age of farmers, many of whom are over 70.

“However, in parts of Japan, such as the north-east where the tsunami hit hardest, there had been good progress in integrating young people back into agriculture,” added Mr Wareing.

Milk yield per cow in Japan is the highest in the world, from a national herd of around two million Holstein cows. Japan slaughters up to 1.2 million dairy cross and 500,000 Wagyu beef cattle a year.

Cattle from within the Fuskushima power station radiation exclusion zone are now out of the food supply chain.