May 15 deadline for phosphorus in compound feed

Dairy farming has until 15 May 2017 to prove that the feed track works. It concerns agreements regarding phosphorus in the feed of dairy farms. If the sector does not succeed in achieving the goals, legislation is ready. That was published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday, April 18.  

Until 15 May, the Animal Feed Regulation 2012 will remain on hold. That is the deadline by which monitoring must show that the dairy farmers have complied with the agreements as part of the 2017 Phosphate Reduction Regulation. If this is successful, there is no legal obligation.

Regulation of phosphorus in compound feed
What the scheme will look like exactly, the outgoing State Secretary Martijn van Dam announced in the Government Gazette. For example, this will only apply to milk-supplying companies and the scheme will only relate to compound feed. The objective is: to control the gross phosphorus content in compound feeds or the ratio of phosphorus and crude protein. On average, 20 percent of the dairy farmers' rations consists of compound feed.

All compound feed intended for dairy farmers will not contain more than 4,3 grams of phosphorus per kilogram of compound feed. An average phosphorus-crude protein ratio of 2,2 may also be used. This should ensure that a reduction of 1,7 million kilograms of phosphorus will be achieved. 

An overview is available within the scheme of the amount of phosphorus that animals need. That varies from 3,4 grams per kg of dry matter for calves of 4 months to 1,8 grams for calves of 16 months. Dairy cattle with a production of 20 kilos per day stands at 2,5 grams and up to 50 kg production the requirement standard increases to 3,5 grams.

Recycling pointer as proof
When determining the values, the usual roughage has been taken into account. For example, entrepreneurs with a relatively large amount of maize can get by better with the 2,2 grams of phosphorus per crude protein ratio. A ration with more grass, on the other hand, comes into its own better with a limit of 4,3 grams of phosphorus per kilogram of compound feed. The Kringloopwijzer provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to demonstrate that they cannot cope with too low phosphorus values ​​in the entire ration.

In total, Van Dam estimates the costs for the entire sector at 810.000 euros. Whether the scheme will continue will be revealed on 15 May.  

Look here for the Feeding track legislation > 

Herman van den Pol

Herma van den Pol has been with us since 2011 Boerenbusiness and has developed over the years into a market expert Milk & Feed. In addition, she can be seen weekly in the market flash about the dairy market.

h.vandenpol@boerenbusiness. Nl

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