Interest-free credit on feed and fertiliser in July and August is included in a range of measures announced by Dairygold today to help farmers struggling with drought conditions.

The co-op has highlighted the issue of low grass growth, with a 25% shortfall in winter fodder identified in fodder surveys completed by members.

@DairygoldCo_Op has launched a series of measures to support members and proactively address the current and longer-term issues relating to the summer drought, which has seen grass growth plummet to 30% of normal levels for this time of year. https://t.co/cIIAC7zDxz pic.twitter.com/iV0kaqwOjp

— Dairygold Co-Op (@DairygoldCo_Op) July 17, 2018

Dairygold is encouraging the linking up of livestock and tillage farmers where suitable, to make use of whole and catch crops as a potential animal feed while grass supplies remain low.

Specialist advice is also available from the co-op’s advisory team, with farmers urged to make contact if they are under pressure during this drought period.

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The ongoing drought conditions have caused grass growth rates to plummet, putting a lot of farmers under pressure.