Farmers must band together to get through the next six months, Wexford IFA chair James Kehoe told a fodder crisis meeting in Enniscorthy on Monday.

The area has been badly affected by drought, and even straw is in short supply in the country’s largest grain-producing county.

Full feed situation

Wexford IFA livestock chair JJ Kavanagh said that with feed costs escalating, beef prices will have to be at least €5/kg. “We have been in a full feed situation for weeks now, and grain prices are rising fast. Cattle farmers will go broke unless the factories step up.

“Every other sector of Irish farming is making some effort and they must play their part.”

National grain chair Mark Browne called on grain farmers to avail of the fodder production incentive announced. “Grain farmers can plant a catch crop and help both themselves and their neighbouring livestock farmers.

“The crop will be valuable either to graze or bale, and should return a margin when the Government aid is added to selling price. The minister has put the scheme in place to help alleviate the fodder shortage, and it is worth serious consideration on every tillage farm.”

Land dried out

One dairy farmer from Rosslare said: “We had no significant rain from the middle of May to the beginning of August. An east wind blew for six weeks along with the high temperatures. The land dried out rapidly, the wetter land which is marly went rock solid over time.

“We have had 40-45mm of rain, we could still do with another 75mm to fully address the deficit in soil moisture. Grass has started to come back, but is being devoured. When I cut what is closed I will still be 40% short of my fodder requirement.

“I’ll make up the shortfall with straw and meal.”

Local vet Martin Breen recommended that farmers set out a herd health plan, particularly where animals have been stressed.

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