The combination of a wet and late spring followed by severe drought has really put pressure on fodder supplies, especially in the south and east of the country. Following representations from farmers and farm organisations, the Government has announced a number of supports and flexibility to existing rules to ensure that farmers will have enough fodder available for livestock this winter. Below we have summarised what is available and what is due to happen.
Fodder importation
On 22 August Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced €4.25m has been allocated to a fodder import support measure. To avail of this, farmers should contact their local participating co-op/registered importer indicating their intention to purchase, and volume of fodder requested. Farmers pay the co-op/registered importer for the purchase of the fodder which must exclude the Department’s contribution towards the transport costs. The Department contributes €50/t fresh weight towards the cost of transport. Forage imported by an approved supplier between 12 August 2018 and 31 December 2018 is eligible. Forage imported and purchased prior to 12 August is ineligible.
GLAS flexibility
The GLAS flexibility measures are still not 100% over the line. They include:
An amendment to the specifications to provide for the use of low-input permanent pasture parcels for silage/hay production from 1 September 2018 to 1 December 2018. It is proposed that off takes be permitted on a once-off basis from fallow land in GLAS from 1 September 2018 (after the nesting season) to 1 December 2018. The Department is accepting applications for a derogation to cut these parcels.Last Friday the minister said he is happy with the signals he has received from the European Commission on the matter. However, there are additional procedures before it can be formally ratified. The Department had to carry out environmental assessments to show there would be no negative impact from changing the rules. However, farmers eager to conserve fodder from these parcels are becoming increasingly frustrated. Joe Brady of the IFA said he is anxious for early implementation of the changes.
Fodder production
In early August, the minister announced a fodder production incentive measure for tillage farmers. The aim was to provide additional fodder to livestock farmers experiencing serious shortages. Participating tillage farmers will be paid €100/ha to sow brassica crops and €155/ha for certain short-term grass species. The crop must be growing eight weeks before grazing/harvesting. Crops must be sown by 15 September to be considered eligible for support. The deadline for applications for the measure is 17 September.
Fertiliser and slurry
The deadlines for spreading chemical fertiliser and slurry have been extended by two weeks. Chemical fertiliser can now be spread until 30 September and slurry until 30 October. However, farmers should aim to spread fertiliser and slurry earlier rather than later to avail of higher growth rates and utilisation.
The combination of a wet and late spring followed by severe drought has really put pressure on fodder supplies, especially in the south and east of the country. Following representations from farmers and farm organisations, the Government has announced a number of supports and flexibility to existing rules to ensure that farmers will have enough fodder available for livestock this winter. Below we have summarised what is available and what is due to happen.
Fodder importation
On 22 August Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed announced €4.25m has been allocated to a fodder import support measure. To avail of this, farmers should contact their local participating co-op/registered importer indicating their intention to purchase, and volume of fodder requested. Farmers pay the co-op/registered importer for the purchase of the fodder which must exclude the Department’s contribution towards the transport costs. The Department contributes €50/t fresh weight towards the cost of transport. Forage imported by an approved supplier between 12 August 2018 and 31 December 2018 is eligible. Forage imported and purchased prior to 12 August is ineligible.
GLAS flexibility
The GLAS flexibility measures are still not 100% over the line. They include:
An amendment to the specifications to provide for the use of low-input permanent pasture parcels for silage/hay production from 1 September 2018 to 1 December 2018. It is proposed that off takes be permitted on a once-off basis from fallow land in GLAS from 1 September 2018 (after the nesting season) to 1 December 2018. The Department is accepting applications for a derogation to cut these parcels.Last Friday the minister said he is happy with the signals he has received from the European Commission on the matter. However, there are additional procedures before it can be formally ratified. The Department had to carry out environmental assessments to show there would be no negative impact from changing the rules. However, farmers eager to conserve fodder from these parcels are becoming increasingly frustrated. Joe Brady of the IFA said he is anxious for early implementation of the changes.
Fodder production
In early August, the minister announced a fodder production incentive measure for tillage farmers. The aim was to provide additional fodder to livestock farmers experiencing serious shortages. Participating tillage farmers will be paid €100/ha to sow brassica crops and €155/ha for certain short-term grass species. The crop must be growing eight weeks before grazing/harvesting. Crops must be sown by 15 September to be considered eligible for support. The deadline for applications for the measure is 17 September.
Fertiliser and slurry
The deadlines for spreading chemical fertiliser and slurry have been extended by two weeks. Chemical fertiliser can now be spread until 30 September and slurry until 30 October. However, farmers should aim to spread fertiliser and slurry earlier rather than later to avail of higher growth rates and utilisation.
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