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Poultry industry defends import of grain
The New Zealand poultry industry is defending its use
of imported grain for chicken feed in the face of criticism from local grain
growers.
Mr Jeremy Talbot of South Canterbury growers says the industry only has
itself to blame for being exposed to soaring imported grain prices.
He says more New Zealand farmers would still be growing grain if users such
as poultry and stock feed companies and mills had paid farmers more reasonable
prices in the past.
However,
Poultry
Industry Association executive director Michael Brooks says chicken
producers have no choice but to get some of their feed requirements
offshore.
The Association has warned of a hike in chicken prices, because of an 80
percent increase in Australian grain prices due to crops failing in the drought
there.
Grains make up more than 60 percent of chicken feed and producers rely on
imports, mainly from Australia, for their feed mix.
Mr Brooks concedes though that imported grains have helped poultry
producers to keep prices down.
Editor WorldPoultry
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