Leinster and border county grain growers biggest enthusiasts of IGAS
Sources in Cropsure, which manages the scheme, said last week nearly all growers have joined in Leinster and the border areas, where grain assurance is necessary for exports to Northern Ireland, or for sales to millers who trade across the border.
Nearly all of Ireland’s 16,500 grain farmers are “green” growers, selling of the combine. In terms of signing up for assurance, they are lagging behind the 300 or so larger scale growers who dry their grain, and grain merchants.
This is not a pressing worry for growers who feed their grain on their own farms. But assurance is already compulsory for contracted growers of malting barley, milling wheat, oats and seed.
Now, in the southern counties, major millers are targeting to have all their grain growers signed up for IGAS in time for next year’s harvest. And nationally, feed compounders says they will not use un-assured grain next year.
The voluntary scheme costs farmers 45 for under 100 hectares, 90 for larger acreages, per year. However, it offers marketing advantages, and is supported by every sector in the Irish grain business.
“It will be the quality mark for Irish produced grain”, says IFA leader John Dillon.
Grain assurance could strengthen the domestic market, by downgrading the portion of imported grain which is not assured.
Following negotiations with UKASTA, representing the UK grain trade, Cropsure director Tom Kelly says recognition of IGAS in the UK is expected shortly.
There is practically 100% grain assurance in the UK, and every grain grower is audited each year. In Ireland, which has a much lower average grain acreage per farm, about 20% of IGAS members, producing about 80% of the grain, will be audited. This was a sticking point in negotiations with UKASTA.
All Irish grain merchants and 50% of dried growers will be inspected annually. Growers must keep records such as sowing dates, varieties, seeding rates and agro-chemicals, and meet quality standards for procedures such as cleaning and disinfecting of grain stores.
“The IGAS record books are a useful management tool”, says Cropsure director George Jordan.
Many IGAS members keep this sturdy notebook beside them on the tractor for quick reference.
IGAS can be contacted at 0507 33166
