Farmers in the Erris area of Co Mayo have less than half of the fodder they need this winter, a Teagasc survey has found.
A survey of 90 farmers conducted by Teagasc drystock adviser Thomas Kelly has found while the average fodder deficit in the area is between 50% and 60%, some farmers have no fodder at all.
“It’s mainly because of weather and the GLAS conditions,” Kelly told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Under the scheme, they had to delay cutting silage or hay until after 15 August to protect twite and corncrake habitats,” he explained. “But by then the weather was so bad, they couldn’t save anything.”
Suckler farmers
Most farmers affected by fodder shortages are suckler farmers and some sheep farmers. The worst affected are those farmers who would usually buy in all their winter fodder.
“They just can’t get it,” said Kelly. “Traditionally they would buy fodder from Meath and Westmeath but this year it’s all been bought up by farmers in Donegal and the north.”
Asked about prices being paid, Kelly said: “They would literally pay anything; the few loads of hay that did come into the area were swamped.”
Small square bales of hay are making €4.50 to €5 per bale, while straw is making €35 to €40 for round bales. Silage bales are scarce but would also make €35 to €40 if available, Kelly said.
On Saturday, a load of 40 silage bales donated by Waterford farmer Kevin Rafferty was delivered to Bangor Erris, co-ordinated by Teagasc’s Tom Fallon in Waterford and Thomas Kelly in Mayo.
“The farmers paid €18/bale for haulage and there are plans for more to follow after Christmas,” said Kelly.
“Fodder is dominating every conversation at the moment. Meal feeding is an option but meal is expensive now too.”
‘Lads looking
for €40/bale
is scandalous’
Kevin Rafferty farms in Passage East, Co Waterford, and has donated 80 bales of surplus silage to farmers in Mayo. The first 40 bales were delivered on Saturday. “I’m delighted for the lads who got it – it might take some of them out of a hole,” the dairy and beef farmer said. “I had a bumper year and there’s no point in me having it and them struggling after a few very bad years. I could be in the same boat myself some year.
“I heard stories of some lads looking for €4 0/bale. That’s scandalous, outright meanness, they don’t deserve any turn
“I hope other people might see this and give the poor divils a few bales if they have them.”
Read more
Creed orders Teagasc assessment of fodder stocks in south
Farmers in the Erris area of Co Mayo have less than half of the fodder they need this winter, a Teagasc survey has found.
A survey of 90 farmers conducted by Teagasc drystock adviser Thomas Kelly has found while the average fodder deficit in the area is between 50% and 60%, some farmers have no fodder at all.
“It’s mainly because of weather and the GLAS conditions,” Kelly told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Under the scheme, they had to delay cutting silage or hay until after 15 August to protect twite and corncrake habitats,” he explained. “But by then the weather was so bad, they couldn’t save anything.”
Suckler farmers
Most farmers affected by fodder shortages are suckler farmers and some sheep farmers. The worst affected are those farmers who would usually buy in all their winter fodder.
“They just can’t get it,” said Kelly. “Traditionally they would buy fodder from Meath and Westmeath but this year it’s all been bought up by farmers in Donegal and the north.”
Asked about prices being paid, Kelly said: “They would literally pay anything; the few loads of hay that did come into the area were swamped.”
Small square bales of hay are making €4.50 to €5 per bale, while straw is making €35 to €40 for round bales. Silage bales are scarce but would also make €35 to €40 if available, Kelly said.
On Saturday, a load of 40 silage bales donated by Waterford farmer Kevin Rafferty was delivered to Bangor Erris, co-ordinated by Teagasc’s Tom Fallon in Waterford and Thomas Kelly in Mayo.
“The farmers paid €18/bale for haulage and there are plans for more to follow after Christmas,” said Kelly.
“Fodder is dominating every conversation at the moment. Meal feeding is an option but meal is expensive now too.”
‘Lads looking
for €40/bale
is scandalous’
Kevin Rafferty farms in Passage East, Co Waterford, and has donated 80 bales of surplus silage to farmers in Mayo. The first 40 bales were delivered on Saturday. “I’m delighted for the lads who got it – it might take some of them out of a hole,” the dairy and beef farmer said. “I had a bumper year and there’s no point in me having it and them struggling after a few very bad years. I could be in the same boat myself some year.
“I heard stories of some lads looking for €4 0/bale. That’s scandalous, outright meanness, they don’t deserve any turn
“I hope other people might see this and give the poor divils a few bales if they have them.”
Read more
Creed orders Teagasc assessment of fodder stocks in south
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