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In response, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, has said that while the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc are monitoring the situation he does not believe that there is currently a fodder crisis in the country.
“Be assured that the Department, Teagasc and I will closely monitor the situation in the coming months,” Creed said.
The minister cited research carried out by Teagasc that showed that 2017 had been an exceptionally good year for grass growth.
But he also acknowledged that unprecedented levels of rainfall had meant that farmers on heavier ground had been unable to get a second cut of silage and had housed cattle earlier than they intended.
Fodder fund
However, a number of TDs joined forces in the Dáil on Tuesday evening to call on the minister to establish a fund immediately.
Fianna Fáil TD and spokesperson for agriculture Charlie McConologue said: “We’re TDs from right across the country that have come together to show the urgency in this…Farmers need support now and what they need now is a fund.”
Anne Rabbitte, a Fianna Fáil TD, also spoke to the urgency of the issue. “We seriously need a fund immediately, we can’t have you kicking the can…We will have animals dying because farmers can’t afford to feed them,” she said.
Where is the fodder?
The issue was also raised as to whether fodder would have to be imported to the country, with Deputy Jackie Cahill of Fianna Fáil stating that poor weather had prevented an adequate supply of fodder being made to meet domestic demand on the island.
However, Minister Creed insisted that he believed that there was enough to meet Irish demand, but that there may be surplus in some areas, while other areas were short on fodder.
Minister Creed has been invited by the IFA to attend a meeting in Claremorris, Co Mayo, at the beginning of December to discuss the fodder issue, and was urged by TDs on Tuesday evening to attend.
Farmer writes: fodder crisis looming
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