Some sheep farmers are being forced to dig into winter fodder reserves and increase concentrate feeding as prolonged dry weather continues to leave grass supplies under pressure.

Two Kilkenny sheep farmers have outlined the contrasting impacts of the dry spell, with one already feeding heavily and dipping into winter fodder while the other is managing to keep grass in front of stock, for now.

With just 6mm of rain on his farm since 19 June, William Hutchinson said grass supplies have been exhausted.

“We have no grass whatsoever. We’ve had 6mm of rain since 19 June. All our lambs are on concentrate, which we wouldn’t do any other year. We’ve also fed in excess of 100 bales of hay to dry ewes,” he said.

Cattle have already been housed and fodder reserves are being used.

“We are buying in fodder, but there was a huge surplus made in this area and now it's all gone, so now we’re starting to move into our winter reserves.”

Only around 10% of his lambs have been sold, compared with the 25-30% he would usually have moved on at this stage.

“We’d normally finish on cover crops. We’re not finishing as early this year,” Hutchinson said.

Cover crops have been planted but have failed to germinate due to the lack of moisture.

“There’s no option but to buy feed. We’re feeding probably two tonnes a day of concentrates to sheep,” he said.

Hutchinson's biggest concern now is getting ewes into suitable condition for breeding.

“We just have them on a maintenance diet at the moment. We need a flush of grass now to have ewes going to the ram,” he said.

He added that mating may have to be delayed by a couple of weeks, and ewes may have to be fed concentrates along with forage if grass fails to appear soon.

He also warned that a sudden return of growth could increase parasite pressure, while high nitrate levels following drought are another concern.

Fields getting bare

In contrast, Brian Nicholson said his farm has held up slightly better, because he is farming close to the river.

“I’m on slightly cooler ground than other parts of the county. The river beside the farm gives some moisture, but fields away from the river are getting bare,” he said.

He is feeding some finishing lambs, but said multispecies swards and a reduced stocking rate since moving to organic farming have helped this year.

“I have multispecies on the farm, so that’s keeping things going. I’d be selling lambs for the factory every three weeks, so that’s tipping along as normal at the minute.”

“There’s no surplus of grass, but I have enough for the time being.”

Nicholson said the situation could change quickly without rain.

“If we don’t get rain, lambs will have to be brought in to be finished and whatever grass is there will have to be targeted towards ewes for breeding,” he said.

He may house some forward lambs for a short-term intensive finish and is holding off on autumn reseeding until moisture returns. Cover crops are also waiting for moisture to germinate.

“The main thing is making sure the ewes are in good enough condition for mating. I have a good bit of silage here, but I’m making sure the ewes have good grass for flushing for mating.”

Both farmers have vaccinated ewes against bluetongue. Hutchinson described it as “a huge additional cost”, while Nicholson said it remains “a massive concern” for next year.