Fast-tracked BISS scheme payments to farmers is one of the options at Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon’s disposal to ease cashflow pressures on drought-stricken farms.
“All options are on the table,” Minister Heydon told the Irish Farmers Journal on Wednesday.
This includes bringing forward payments, encouraging crop planting and finding flexibilities around fertiliser application.
However, he warned that “bringing forward some payments has the potential knock-on effect of delaying other payments”.
There is a sense of urgency but no sense of panic, yet, in the Government’s approach to the current regional drought, with the National Fodder and Food Security Committee set to meet on Friday.
Teagasc’s fodder survey revealed that 40% of farmers are already short of fodder.
Fertiliser
On slurry and chemical fertiliser application, he called for patience from farmers.
“Teagasc is clear grass should be green, growing and tillering before the application of slurry,” he said.
He added that he would consider flexibility later in the season if growing and ground conditions allow: “We have to protect water quality at all times.”
In relation to a fodder transport support scheme, the minister said “history shows they work best in the spring”, highlighting that forage “is available to buy for farmers who need to”.
His comments come as grass growth remains stalled in parts of the south and southeast, resulting in a drop in milk supply of up to 9% in some co-ops.
SHARING OPTIONS