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Teagasc in the northwest said it is trying to ascertain the full extent of the fodder shortage.
Leitrim-based adviser Tom Coll said Teagasc is working with Aurivo and its series of fodder clinics to get an accurate picture. He advised farmers not to pay over the odds for hay and silage.
Coll said farmers should count the number of days between now and 1 May and divide that by the number of bales the farmer has. If the figure is above 50%, the shortfall can be made up with concentrates. If it is below 50%, then a farmer must look at buying in hay or silage.
“There are rations there at €220/t or €230/t that stretch the fodder on farms. That is a better financial option than spending crazy money on hay or silage.”
SHARING OPTIONS: