A total of 14% of farmers are experiencing a “significant shortage” in winter fodder supplies, preliminary data from PastureBase Ireland (PBI) and the wider Teagasc fodder survey has revealed.

This figure is usually 6-10% in a normal year.

Some 25% of farmers are short of fodder ahead of the winter, while 29% of farmers said they are “within 10%” of their requirements.

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Just 24% are on target, and 8% have a surplus.

The data is based on information from PastureBase Ireland (PBI) from 306 farms, 169 of which were in Munster, 99 in Leinster and 38 in Connacht and Ulster.

Fodder deficit

Fodder stocks for next winter are significantly less than required and all areas of the country are off the recommended minimum five-month feed stocks.

With an average of 4.1 months of feed across the country, Ulster and Connacht have the most fodder reserves at 4.4 months.

Munster has an average of 4.2 months, while Leinster has just four months of fodder reserves.

Supplementary feeding

Supplementary silage and concentrates make up almost 50% of cows’ diets in Munster and Leinster, the data shows.

This feeding costs an extra €1.90 per cow per day, according to Teagasc estimates, with this figure rising to €3.50 per cow per day on the worst-affected farms.

For a 100-cow herd, at an additional €190 per day, the additional feeding costs amount to €5,320 a month.

Teagasc said the southeast is worst affected and areas with the worst shortages are Kilkenny, Laois, Carlow, Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow, Tipperary, Waterford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath and north Cork.