Co-ops are surveying suppliers for potential fodder deficits and some co-ops are already working on importing fodder for the winter ahead.

A spokesperson for Dairygold told the Irish Farmers Journal: “Our agri team is currently working on and planning the importation of fodder from the UK and the continent. This is a work in progress.”

Demand and requirement

Kerry Group has been in touch with its regular import suppliers to ensure the availability of supply and they will do “whatever is necessary” to assist their members. Nothing will be imported until Kerry Group can identify the demand and requirement.

Aurivo is monitoring the situation carefully

Further north, a LacPatrick spokesperson said the co-op is closely monitoring the situation.

“As of yet, there is no widespread demand for fodder in the LacPatrick catchment area. LacPatrick has access to fodder for our suppliers should the situation become more severe and should LacPatrick suppliers require it.”

Aurivo is not importing fodder at the moment, but the co-op is monitoring the situation carefully.

The Department of Agriculture will financially support the import of fodder to combat shortfalls on farms, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, told those who were in attendance at the Tullamore Show last Sunday.

Role to play

“Imports will have a role to play and the Department will support financially the importation of fodder.

“It would be wrong to believe that the importation of fodder will resolve this issue on its own. It will play a part but the biggest part and the most cost-effective solution for farmers will be in maximising the opportunities that are there [on farms] for fodder conservation,” he said.

Minister Creed urged the farming community to avail of the opportunities in the context of the fodder production incentive in terms of growing fodder crops between now and the next number of weeks.

“Our overwhelming emphasis in the context of dealing with this challenge has been to maximise the growing opportunities, to close the gap in terms of the shortfall in fodder that is there,” he said.