Ireland's largest milk processor Glanbia has announed it is opening a helpline for farmers in difficulty in the current drought conditions, as well as supplying fodder to those hardest hit by the current dry spell.
On average, growth is running at less than 40% of demand, according to Glanbia in their drought update report issued today. Almost all farmers in their catchment area have reported poor grass cover and growth, with conserved fodder also a worry for many suppliers.
Met Éireann recently described grass growth to be practically non-existent.
It is understood that importation of alfalfa and soya is just the beginning of Glanbia’s intentions, with future plans to create a larger fodder reserve and therefore reach out to even more of those suppliers experiencing trouble.
The move follows confirmation that current weather conditions will continue. Met Éireann has confirmed that the week ahead is forecast to be warm, dry and sunny, with a drought warning in place until Friday 6 July.
Glanbia chair Martin Keane stated that Glanbia is “acutely conscious of the stress that this drought is causing for farmers and their animals”.
“The board has met to review our response and is looking at a range of options to help our farmers through this latest challenge,” he said.
Glanbia Ireland animal nutritionist Martin Ryan said that dairy farmers are currently maintaining milk supply by resorting to combinations of:
Increased in-parlour feeding.Grazing second-cut silage ground.Feeding straights such as soya hulls in addition to parlour concentrates.Using some silage as a buffer feed.He advises farmers to:
Fill any feed dry matter intake gap firstly with up to 6kg of concentrate. Consider the feeding of a further 4kg to 5kg of soya hulls. Buffer-feed some silage to carry the hulls if necessary.Hulls can be fed at rates of up to 6kg to 7kg/hd/day. Dairy cows will need access to 100 litres per cow per day. If in need of assistance
Farmers facing difficulties are encouraged to contact their local Glanbia representative who can advise of appropriate solutions on an individual farm basis.
A Glanbia drought helpline is available to farmers in difficulty on 1890 100 017 (lines open from 8.30am to 6pm).
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Ireland's largest milk processor Glanbia has announed it is opening a helpline for farmers in difficulty in the current drought conditions, as well as supplying fodder to those hardest hit by the current dry spell.
On average, growth is running at less than 40% of demand, according to Glanbia in their drought update report issued today. Almost all farmers in their catchment area have reported poor grass cover and growth, with conserved fodder also a worry for many suppliers.
Met Éireann recently described grass growth to be practically non-existent.
It is understood that importation of alfalfa and soya is just the beginning of Glanbia’s intentions, with future plans to create a larger fodder reserve and therefore reach out to even more of those suppliers experiencing trouble.
The move follows confirmation that current weather conditions will continue. Met Éireann has confirmed that the week ahead is forecast to be warm, dry and sunny, with a drought warning in place until Friday 6 July.
Glanbia chair Martin Keane stated that Glanbia is “acutely conscious of the stress that this drought is causing for farmers and their animals”.
“The board has met to review our response and is looking at a range of options to help our farmers through this latest challenge,” he said.
Glanbia Ireland animal nutritionist Martin Ryan said that dairy farmers are currently maintaining milk supply by resorting to combinations of:
Increased in-parlour feeding.Grazing second-cut silage ground.Feeding straights such as soya hulls in addition to parlour concentrates.Using some silage as a buffer feed.He advises farmers to:
Fill any feed dry matter intake gap firstly with up to 6kg of concentrate. Consider the feeding of a further 4kg to 5kg of soya hulls. Buffer-feed some silage to carry the hulls if necessary.Hulls can be fed at rates of up to 6kg to 7kg/hd/day. Dairy cows will need access to 100 litres per cow per day. If in need of assistance
Farmers facing difficulties are encouraged to contact their local Glanbia representative who can advise of appropriate solutions on an individual farm basis.
A Glanbia drought helpline is available to farmers in difficulty on 1890 100 017 (lines open from 8.30am to 6pm).
Read more
€13.2m crisis reserve refunded to farmers
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