Eamon Sheehan, from Cuffesgrange in Co Kilkenny, is using some alfalfa imported from Spain by Glanbia to stretch his fodder supplies. He is putting it in to the cows diet at a rate of 1.5kg/head/day.

"That will be a help and should be good for the digestion. I got three of the 800kg bales which should last for about 10 days," said Sheehan, who is milking 158 cows. "There is a limit to it as well. You don’t want to feed massive weights."

An articulated lorry-load of silage was delivered to his farm on Friday from Northern Ireland, again organised through the co-op.

Sheehan has had the cows out by day since 4 February. Anything that has been grazed is showing some regrowth now.

"We’re just 10 days behind where we should be. I'm stretching the rotation to 20 April."

Having sold 40 bales to a friend six weeks back, Sheehan has found he could have done with the extra silage as he has been buying in for over two weeks. He is currently considering his options in replenishing stocks for next winter.

"One option is touching base with the local tillage man to purchase whole crop or triticale," he said.

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