Feed bills set to rise with seasonal fodder shortage

By Paul Mooney

While considerable progress has been made in silage and hay making, there is still wide variation between the drier and wet land areas in winter feed supply, grass growth, animal performance and damage to soil, Teagasc says.

Its advisory staff has carried out a second assessment of the impact of the poor weather.

Grass growth rates have improved to 80-90% of normal on drier land but are still at only 50% to 70% on heavier wetland soils. Grass is still scarce on many farms and re-growth below average. Pressure is highest on wetter soils where poaching damage occurred earlier and also on more heavily stocked farms.

However, improved weather means conditions are now improving and this has allowed spreading of nitrogen and topping. There is a big increase in the amount of slurry spread on silage ground.

Grass quality from re-growths and utilisation of grazed grass are gradually improving. Grazing rotations are coming back closer to normal. Some badly damaged land will require reseeding and other land may need tining to counter soil compaction and puddling.

Silage

All first-cut silage is made in dry land areas and in the range of 40%- 80% in the wetland areas with good progress being made. Yields from first cut are generally higher except on farms where silage ground was grazed before closing. Yields range from 20 to 37t per hectare (8-15t/ac).

Quality is back 8-10 DMD units on normal, with the wetland areas worst affected. There are also worries about preservation and soil contamination. The area and yield of second cut silage is expected to be substantially reduced. Growth of the maize crop has improved in the last two weeks but yield and quality is expected to be well down.

From 50% to 90% of the hay crop is made in the dry land areas and about 30% to 60% in the wetland areas. Feed quality is generally moderate to poor.

Some farmers face the prospect of a winter feed shortage but it is difficult at this stage to estimate the extent of the shortage nationally.

Teagasc is urging farmers to now estimate any expected shortfall. The feed deficit can be overcome by getting extra nitrogen out, by making use of whole crop grains, sourcing cheaper supplements, purchase of hay/straw/silage or selling off surplus animals.

Overall, due to reduced silage production but more importantly a big drop in silage quality, farmers can expect to face higher feed bills for purchased feeds next winter and spring. This will further reduce profits already under pressure.

Dairying

Milk yields are down, particularly in wetland areas where the drop is as high as 15%. Production would be lower but for supplementary feeding. Meal feeding has reduced but is still in the range of 1 to 6 kg/cow/day. Calves are also being fed about 1.0 to

1.2 kg meal/head/day.

Supplementation is highest in the wetland areas, on the more intensively stocked farms and in high yielding herds. It should be possible to cut meals further as grass quantity and quality increase.

Some dairy farmers, in the worst affected areas, are still housing cows part-time. There are some indications of fertility problems with up to 30% of the herd not holding. A wider calving spread can be expected in 2003.

Beef

Beef cattle performance has been down by up to 25% but is recovering. Depending on the area, between 5% to 70% of cattle farmers are feeding meals. Finishing cattle are getting 1- 6kg and calves and weanlings 1-2kg per day.

Some farmers have experienced reduced prices for cattle which they were forced to sell before they had an adequate level of finish.

Part-time housing and feeding of suckler cows/cattle indoors is still taking place in the worst affected areas. This is exacerbating the winter feed problem on these farms. Some farmers are planning to wean and/or sell weanlings earlier this year.

Maize

Maize crops have improved dramatically in the last two weeks. Crops under plastic are still ahead of uncovered crops. Some crops are still a bit patchy and a small percentage is very poor. The prediction is for lower yields and poorer quality maize silage compared to previous years due to poorer cob development and lower starch levels.

Sheep

Lamb performance varies from close to normal to up to 20% below normal. Lamb sales are 3-6 weeks later than normal. The number of farmers feeding meal to lambs varies from 10% to 80% depending on area. There is a shortage of good quality after- grass for lambs. Other problems mentioned include an increased incidence of lameness and foot problems and increased risk of fluke.

Sugar Beet

Growth has improved a lot in sugar beet crops with many crops now only one to two weeks behind normal, except for the later sown crops which are further behind. The crop has the capacity to recover much of its potential.

Winter Cereals

Winter barley crops are yielding in the range of 6.2 to 6.8t per hectare. Average yields are down by about 1.23t per hectare or greater. Specific weights are low and screenings high in early crops.

This yield drop is due to the high rainfall, low temperatures and exceptional disease pressure. Septoria is widespread at high levels on winter wheat particularly in southern areas. Winter wheat crops are nonetheless growing well.

Yields for winter wheat are predicted to be down by at least 1.23t per hectare but the drop could be up to

2.5t per hectare on some farms. Winter oat crops look promising.

Rhynchosporium is widespread at high levels on spring barley and to a lesser extent Net Blotch. Ramularia and ''Sun Blotch'' are also widespread. Spraying costs are up by 20%- 30% due to the use of higher rates and more expensive chemicals.

Yield potential for spring barley looks moderate to good in crops not affected by soil compaction and water logging earlier on in the season, provided Ramularia does not impinge on yield. Average yield could be back by up to 1.0 to 1.23 tonnes/ hectare. Most spring oat and spring wheat crops look well.

Potatoes

Blackleg is a major problem in the second-early crop (British Queens) leading to a reduction in saleable yield. Main crops have improved but later sown crops are still backward. Blight pressure has increased. Short spray intervals are essential.