IFA President Joe Healy has said the deepening fodder problems on farms will have to be addressed by the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed. He said the Minister’s blasé response to date has been wholly inadequate.

Healy said: “From what we have seen on the ground, including when Minister of State for Agriculture Andrew Doyle joined us to survey the conditions on farms affected, there is no doubt that there is an urgent need for a scheme. Minister Creed should get on with it and introduce one immediately. Farmers who are under extreme pressure because of the challenges facing them expect a strong response from the Minister and the Government. Urgent action is needed to assist farmers in affected areas, mainly in the north-west and west of the country.”

Difficult weather

The difficult weather conditions since August have left many farmers facing a severe fodder crisis during the winter and spring months.

“It is clear that many farmers were unable to get a second cut of silage and have had to house their animals earlier using up silage from first cut and other fodder they need for the winter. We have to address this now as the problem has become acute; we cannot wait until the New Year,” Joe Healy said.

IFA has also met with Teagasc and a survey is under way to identify those farmers who are likely to have a problem this winter. Discussions have also taken place with local co-ops and merchants to provide a feed mix for those farmers.

IFA Western Regional Meeting

An IFA meeting on Friday 1 December in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, will hear directly from farmers affected, with speakers including representatives from Teagasc and Aurivo. Other issues to be discussed at the meeting include ANCs, CAP 2020 and supporting the suckler herd. All farmers from the western region are encouraged to attend the meeting, which starts at 8pm.