Under 25% of dairy farmers have enough fodder in place for the winter, according to a survey of 160 participants in last week's Irish Grassland Association (IGA) dairy summer tour in west Cork. "Three in four farmers are currently eating into existing winter fodder supplies by feeding grass silage," the IGA and event sponsor AIB said in a statement this Tuesday.

Over 70% of respondents were feeding or planning to feed straights, while 20% said they were going to sow a forage crop. Another 20% suggested that they were going to purchase wholecrop or maize.

Sell stock

Almost 50% of farmers surveyed said they were planning to sell stock to reduce demand. One in four said they would require short-term bank cashflow support to manage the financial impact of the drought.

The survey showed regional differences, with almost 85% of respondents in Connacht and Ulster declaring sufficient reserves, compared with 20% in Munster and 13% in Leinster.

Nine out of 10 had completed fodder budget, which AIB head of agri Tadhg Buckley welcomed. "We are encouraging our farming customers to determine how the additional costs associated with the drought are likely to affect their individual farm systems and to engage with us if support is required,” he added.

Teagasc's George Ramsbottom, IGA organiser, urged farmers to put a plan in place now where fodder deficits are identified rather than wait until later in the autumn.

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Three in four dairy farmers feeding winter silage – IGA tour survey

Most farmers surveyed at a recent open day had insufficient fodder reserves for the winter and half were planning to sell stock as a result.