Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed was pressed by farming organisations at the fodder coordination group meeting in Tullamore, Co Offaly, to address the looming fodder shortages resulting from the current drought. The Minister said he and his department were looking at extensions to fertiliser spreading dates.

ICSA and INHFA representatives also requested later closing dates for GLAS meadow cutting.

Water supply

Minister Creed said farmers need to be pragmatic when it comes to giving cattle access in relation to fencing of watercourses under GLAS. Regardless of upcoming rain levels, he added that he was now particularly worried about water supply in September.

The IFA highlighted the effect of this year's weather conditions on farmers' cashflow and called for the quick roll-out of expected low-cost loans. However, Minister Creed said that the subsidised loans would be for capital investment, not short-term spending. Representatives for the three main banks said there was no widespread cashflow issue at this point, but added that they were setting money aside to plan for difficulties on farms later.

Fodder imports

Minister Creed said that the fodder import scheme implemented in the spring "did not cost much" and could be reinstated. However, millers and importers warned of reduced availability from traditional import sources. They added that lorries and drivers were already in short supply to deliver to farms.

The fodder coordination group is chaired by Teagasc, which estimated that farmers are now facing a 28% deficit in fodder stocks based on the results of a recent survey.

“Practical advice being shared across the group on dealing both with the current weather and also on filling the fodder gap that has now been identified is critical to our managing this challenge," Minister Creed said. "In light of potential shortfalls in fodder identified in the first fodder survey, the overall priority must be to conserve as much feed for the coming winter when the opportunity to do so arises and to take advantage of growth when it resumes after the current drought.”

Additional reporting by Aidan Brennan in Tullamore.