There has been limited interest in LacPatrick’s fodder aid scheme from suppliers in NI during the past month, but in contrast, 20% of its southern supply base has availed of fodder through the scheme in the past 10 days.

This accounts for approximately 70 of the co-op’s 350 suppliers based in the Republic of Ireland.

LacPatrick launched its fodder scheme back in January.

The co-op initially purchased 700t of grass silage from NI suppliers. It is understood that this fodder bank is now depleted, but field staff are actively looking to source additional fodder for further sales.

Silage was purchased for £30/t and sold at €40/t, which includes transport and handling costs.

In addition, the co-op purchased 4,000t of maize silage with approximately 2,200t now sold to suppliers.

The co-op is also putting farmers with silage to sell in touch with suppliers running low on fodder. Estimates indicate that some 1,800t of fodder has been offered by suppliers to date.

The co-op offers credit facilities for suppliers to purchase additional feed, as well as advice on feeding through a specialist team of staff.

UFU fodder map

Meanwhile, the UFU has launched a fodder aid map on its website, which aims to help put those farmers in NI short of material, in touch with those who have fodder to sell.