Our focus supplement this week looks at different areas around fodder supplies and how to overcome a fodder deficit.

In the northwest, stock have been housed for a number of months now and a large amount of silage has been eaten during the past three months on these farms.

Looking to stretch the remaining fodder supplies for the rest of the winter is the priority. If decisions are taken now to alleviate the problem, this may help solve bigger problems later.

One of the first steps is to work out how much fodder is left in the yard. Don’t forget to factor in meal feeding and straw feeding in this calculation.

Calculating fodder supplies

To measure your silage pit multiply the length (m) by the width (m) by the height (m) and divide this figure by 1.4. This will give you the tonnes in fresh weight in your silage pit.

A normal bale of silage will have 600kg of fresh weight while a well-packed bale will have 700kg of silage.

Suckler cows will consume 1.4t of silage/month, store cattle will consume 1.2t/month and weanlings will consume 0.7t of silage/month. Feeding more meal will reduce these amounts.

I have heard of farmers in the northwest paying €50/bale for 4x4 bales of hay. While a minimum level of forage is required for stock, a tonne of rolled barley at €200/t would represent far better value than four round bales of hay.

Don’t panic buy and talk to your adviser to assess the situation.

Other options

Other options should also be looked at.

Can you offload empty cows or poor performers earlier this year? Weanlings and store cattle are a good trade at the moment and stock could be sold to reduce fodder demand. Try to plan for an early spring if possible and try to save some grass around the yard area so stock can be turned outdoors at a low stocking rate.

Read more

Listen: fodder relief scheme for farmers

Listen: hardship taking its toll on fodder-hit farmers

Hay making €50/bale in Donegal