All farmers are being encouraged to complete a fodder budget by the Minister of Agriculture Martin Heydon, in order to assist them to take appropriate action to ensure sufficient fodder stocks for the coming winter.
It comes in response to the ongoing dry weather and grass growth challenges being experienced by farmers across the country which is especially severe in the eastern half of the country.
“I recognise the impact that the ongoing drought is having on farms. While there is no shortage of fodder at present, grass growth is significantly impacted,” the Minister commented.
“Grass growth for the current year as monitored by Teagasc was 5% above the five-year average up until the end of July. However, severe soil moisture deficits (> 70mm) in the eastern half of the country are leading to current grass growth rates of less than 10kg DM/ha, with growth rates in the south approximately 20kg DM/ha and in the west 50kg DM/ha.”
National fodder survey
The Minister is also liaising closely with Teagasc on the national fodder survey which has started collecting data, the Department said.
“I urge all farmers to complete a fodder budget which will inform the Teagasc national fodder survey,” the Minister said.
“The results of this survey are expected later this month and will provide a basis for farmers and the wider industry to assess the overall national and regional fodder supply situation.”
“When the results of this survey are made available, consideration will be given to any necessary next steps, including reconvening the National Fodder and Food Security Committee.”
Advice from Teagasc to all livestock farmers is to continue grass measurement to assess pasture supply and growth rates on a weekly basis. Pasture supply deficits will need to be filled using a combination of grass silage and concentrate supplements while also considering autumn pasture management targets. Winter feed stocks will also need to be considered when deciding supplementation strategies.
All farmers are being urged to do a fodder budget for their farm by 21 August which can be completed on Pasture Base or by contacting their local advisor.
Fodder committee
The IFA and Macra president Josephine O’Neill called on the Minster to reconvene the National Fodder and Food Security Committee with immediate effect earlier this week.
“The continued dry conditions are putting significant pressure on grass growth and on farmers’ ability to build adequate fodder stocks for the winter,” O’Neill said.
“Farmers, in the main, have been managing the situation effectively over the past few weeks. There are also significant stocks of fodder in reserve on a lot of farms. But if we do not get rain soon, the situation could exacerbate quite quickly,” IFA president Francie Gorman commented.
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