With farmers in the west fearing a fodder shortage this winter, the IFA is hosting a major rally on Friday.
Heavy and persistent rain in the west from the end of July into August resulted in dairy and beef cattle being housed weeks and months early.
Farmers who are under extreme pressure
This has resulted in fodder being fed earlier than planned and farmers are now fearing the worst for next spring. Unless there is a good and early spring, a fodder shortage is an inevitability on many farms.
“Urgent action is needed to assist farmers in affected areas, mainly in the northwest and west of the country. The difficult weather since August has left many farmers facing a severe fodder crisis during the winter and spring months,” IFA president Joe Healy said.
Fears over the fodder shortage have also seen a spike in prices for silage and hay. There have been reports of hay making as much as €50/bale in south Donegal and silage commanding prices in excess of €30/bale. The bad harvest has resulted in a genuine shortage of straw too.
This all means that farmers are spending more on fodder and meal supplementation. All this is building up to being a cashflow concern for farmers.
As a result, the IFA is urging Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to introduce a scheme to address this cashflow issue.
Joe Healy said three key actions are required:
Progress on the Teagasc evaluation of areas affected.The introduction of a fodder transport subsidy. The introduction of meal vouchers for critical areas. “There is no doubt that there is an urgent need for a scheme. Minister Creed should get on with it and introduce one immediately.
"Farmers who are under extreme pressure because of the challenges facing them expect a strong response from the minister and the Government.”
The meeting is taking place in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, Co Mayo, and starts at 8pm. It will also deal with issues such as the Areas of Natural Constraint and greater supports for the suckler sector.
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With farmers in the west fearing a fodder shortage this winter, the IFA is hosting a major rally on Friday.
Heavy and persistent rain in the west from the end of July into August resulted in dairy and beef cattle being housed weeks and months early.
Farmers who are under extreme pressure
This has resulted in fodder being fed earlier than planned and farmers are now fearing the worst for next spring. Unless there is a good and early spring, a fodder shortage is an inevitability on many farms.
“Urgent action is needed to assist farmers in affected areas, mainly in the northwest and west of the country. The difficult weather since August has left many farmers facing a severe fodder crisis during the winter and spring months,” IFA president Joe Healy said.
Fears over the fodder shortage have also seen a spike in prices for silage and hay. There have been reports of hay making as much as €50/bale in south Donegal and silage commanding prices in excess of €30/bale. The bad harvest has resulted in a genuine shortage of straw too.
This all means that farmers are spending more on fodder and meal supplementation. All this is building up to being a cashflow concern for farmers.
As a result, the IFA is urging Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to introduce a scheme to address this cashflow issue.
Joe Healy said three key actions are required:
Progress on the Teagasc evaluation of areas affected.The introduction of a fodder transport subsidy. The introduction of meal vouchers for critical areas. “There is no doubt that there is an urgent need for a scheme. Minister Creed should get on with it and introduce one immediately.
"Farmers who are under extreme pressure because of the challenges facing them expect a strong response from the minister and the Government.”
The meeting is taking place in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, Co Mayo, and starts at 8pm. It will also deal with issues such as the Areas of Natural Constraint and greater supports for the suckler sector.
Read more
McConalogue visits fodder-short farmers
Rally on ANC scheme and fodder
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